The Opt-Out Effect

" First it seems like a simple question but apparently it is and what is senate majority leader Harry -- health care plan senator Reid says a government run public option will be in the bill. But stage would be allowed to opt out of the plant. But what does that really mean Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty wants -- state isn't just noted. Hopefully he can answer some of those questions some governors here with -- governor I'm -- this. -- understand if you audience and they can opt out but what does that really mean."

" Well we don't know yet regrettable what we know for sure is this government run health care is a bad idea I hope the gets killed. But -- they're offering up the opt out as an alternative the Democrats are. And I think it's gonna end up being a sham because every sports and I'm getting at least from Republican sources. That the opt out is gonna require you to pay the money ahead of time in other words pay increase taxes for four years. -- the program will fully kick in four years out and even if you do opt out. Your state senior citizens have to continue to pay their share of the bill so if that's the way it's proposed it's really impossible or impractical. And it's really a sham snapped a masquerade and that's something that's very very good I think disingenuous and very cynical."

" Let me have greater idea after the state absinthe of the bunch of states opt out and they still have to pay forty if they -- that is to -- the payments investment. That is it'll lower the cost for that essentially for them and that's that's a great deal for the hot dinners."

" Plus it's just a sham and it's another bait and switch element to this whole thing this is gonna go down as one of the biggest bait and switch. Jams in the country there's proposing to cut health care costs us it was gonna increase it more now they're promising an opt out is that there's going to be voluntary or some flexibility when. If the facts are you gotta pay all the taxes even if you don't participate. Assistant to joke."

" What have you ready for crisis would be this be sending the legislature would decide -- think there's a somethin' the government would still would decide like we know that we would that the state won't TN."

" Well I don't know that I suspect they'd want the legislature and the governor to weigh in on the matter. Which would be fine again from my standpoint I don't like government run health care of we'd like to opt out but if these conditions are. Attached to it again it would become impractical or impossible or otherwise --"

" You know any governor should come forward and said hey that's something agree that even democratic governor."

" It but I'm sure there are many who do like government run health care most of the folks on the other side of the aisle I do not I think we've got out. -- philosophical problem here right and the financial problem I don't like the idea of the government's taken stuff over like I said before what's next to threw -- We're concerned about toothpaste price is ever gonna have a government run. Wal-Mart super concerned about gasoline prices as a government gonna take over. The gas station down the street from my house this is a very slippery slope and it's inconsistent with the tradition that this country's economy was -- done."

" I realize that you will be voting on this can even in the house for the Senate but -- anticipate that this particular provision the opt out provision will be part of health care reform. Party think it will be defeated."

" I hope it'll be defeated and I heard today that senator Lieberman made filibuster on this issue of -- included self. I applaud and thank senator Lieberman if he's willing to stand and do that. I think he should be removed but they've leaders keep saying it's gonna be and that worries me a great deal."

" What do you possesses the senator Reid is -- thing that I can find the most curious about it is that there there were hearings held. And hearings coming out a Senate Finance Committee and now committee in the Senate house committee came out of the public option that was the trigger now with -- knocked out which is a public option. The -- finance head no public got option. And then suddenly. Essentially and senator -- goes behind closed doors and suddenly there's this new commissioners opt out. Out what what possessed him to do this."

" I think get Greta if you know anything about Democrat the party politics within their party. The universal health care or single Payer health care government run health care part of their party is very militant. And then this is not just. -- an accident or good public policy this is driven by partisan liberal bare knuckled pressure in politics. And that's what's driving this decision making it's a bad idea of the country doesn't like it but they won't let go -- that I think because of internal liberal politics."

" But it never indeed Ichiro they would've gone steer clear -- the public option because there are enough Democrats and they were on got on board that they wouldn't really matter what Republicans thought it wouldn't matter what senator -- daughter anybody else. And tax senator Reid said am -- about public action as is really little little bit lighter than an imposed -- public option straight across the board since -- can opt out. So it seems a little bit more usual to me -- them trying to figure out why he did this to a strategy."

" Plan BM. Well I think he had I think it's because that they want the opted -- they want the government on anyone in the government on every continent coming. Enough votes to pass said. So now they're trying to get these some additional votes by watering it down deluding a statement. Flirted with the idea of a trigger -- floating the idea of an opt out they need to get those blue dogs -- those moderate Democrats who normally would not be enamored with this approach. The most part I think it's a suckers play I think it's a sham. And the then maybe get the most to do it but it's really not going to be an opt out for all the reasons we discussed earlier it's a very cynical I think a very cynical approach to an important issue facing our country."

" now to New York to 23 congressional district an interesting race. There is a conservative candidate at a Republican. You have as I understand it correctly if I'm Ron you've aligned yourself endorsed conservative cannon mr. Hoffman along with former Governor Sarah Palin. Dick Armey and on the other side you have former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich. Who has endorsed the Republican candidate. Why now why do you why -- breaking ranks of their party going of the conservative that Canada."

" Well for gonna have a Republican candidates they need to be at least a minimum threshold. Being Republican or conservative there's a range of people that can meet that definition we want the party to be able to have some differences internally. But the candidate that they endorsed here doesn't even meet that minimum threshold Greta this is an individual who has voted for tax increases income taxes in New York she supports. Card check she supports the stimulus she supported bank bailouts. And on down the list she does not mean even the minimum requirement of being a Republican even broadly defined so. I love Newt Gingrich is a friend and colleague in some day I respect and admire but united still respectfully disagree on this issue."

" But this -- can't Republican Party chose in new York and you've got the two movie dad -- for -- two high profile former good one former governor one current governor. Governor Palin and there are plenty I'm reaching across the country and really reaching across the country and governor -- payless situation. Intuit a Republican contest in New York State. What why what's what's the what's the strategy what do you do that."

" Well this isn't a school board election or county commissioner race this is a seat for the United States congress it's gonna have an effect on the direction of the country and on national issues on international issues there's a lot of us including speaker Gingrich and governor Pailin and many others who dedicate their time and energy to try to support candidates across the country that leads. Think we'll be helpful to the country and this is an example of that so did dismiss it as some sort of you know local irrelevant race I really don't think that's doing is justice."

" And I didn't need to be done to this misdemeanor relative profoundly important race what sort of interesting. Is that that is certainly a -- Republican Party and whether or not this is something that you know will in some ways divide -- messy as it come up on the mid terms -- weather and at this in some way strengthens apart and I guess that was why my thinking and asking him."

" Yeah and I and as I understand Greta but if you go down the record not her promises going forward the Republican candidate. Maybe this is an individual who really has defied almost every important issue from my standpoint for Republicans. This stimulus bill bank bailouts tax increases card check and in many more. This is not somebody who I think is deserving of war in the Republican Jersey and that's why you're seeing so much support for the alternative Donna -- a conservative in this race."

" You mention orange Jersey and I got to go but I should point out one other thing I'm going to be out of plane abbey out of the country NN mystic game this weekend day. Put your Minnesota Vikings against the Green Bay Packers but. Thanks to see what happens governor. Well I will -- but -- I think it'll look a lot like that game in the metrodome that broke your heart. I -- that's assuming I in this of the curious things -- I have loved to watch Brett Favre play because he loves the game. At a good sale longest of the Packers I'm very conflicted on this from the governor thank you very much thank you sent. They welcome Greta thank you."