Washington (CNN) - During a press conference on Wednesday, Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin pointed to Republican Sen. Jim DeMint's Twitter account as the smoking gun – or as he called it, the "smoking tweet" – showing the Republicans' strategy to slow down the health care bill.
"If there's any idea, any question in mind about motive and what's behind this, I have in my hand a smoking tweet," Durbin said.
Pointing to a piece of paper, Durbin proceeded to read two of DeMint's tweets: "'If Reid won't slow down this debate, we'll do it for him,' followed by, 'Coburn forced Dems to read 767 pg Sanders amendment, we'll do everything we can to stop this government takeover of health care.'"
The press conference was held by Durbin and Sen. Robert Menendez to discuss "GOP obstruction" to the health care bill.
Wesly Denton, DeMint's Communications Director, told CNN he was "flattered that [Durbin] is paying so much attention to DeMint's Twitter account," but added, "DeMint's been clear for months he wants to stop this bill."
From CNN Politics
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The Great Right-Wing Conspiracy revealed.....CNN's cracked the case!
How about the Wall Street Journal poll that has the Tea Party topping both the Democrats and the Republicans....not newsworthy?
How about the fact that 61% of Americans are opposed to this bill...not newsworthy?
You're as trustworthy as the Man-Made Global Warming freaks.
The jig is up for all you 'warmers'...just like Health Care...bye,bye.
I am so sick of the party of NOthing trying to destroy anything and everything regardless of how beneficial it is to us and our country.
And, then they have the nerve to brag about and glorify their actions.
Every republican in the House voted against Finance Reform.
That tells us loud and clear that they totally represent big business and will continue to sacrifice us and our country for power and greed.
These politicians have absolutely lost any creditibility of honor and integrity and what they were elected to do.
They have forsaken the American people.
Thank you Mr. DeMint!! The proposed plan(s) are a shocking waste of taxpayers' money. CBO says premiums will INCREASE, Medicare will be lessened (and I rapidly approaching the age to go on it) and the plan won't by way way far insure everyone. This is NOT reform!! If Medicate fraud and abuse were taken care of, there would be so much money it would pay to insure the uninsureds! Typical stupid Democrats – always going about things the wrong way and always wanting a handout!
Thank God for Jim DeMint. I hope Durbin chokes on the monstrosity that they are trying to ram through congress and foist upon the American people. Durbin is a smokin' twit if he thinks "exposing" a publicly released twitter somehow impugns DeMint or the Republican party. I've got news for tDurbin, the overwhelming majority of Americans want this bill to fail and Demint's actions are to be commended.
Dick Durbin and Robert Menendez? What a joke! and what states do they represent? Illinois and New Jersey, the two most corrupt states in the union. Enough said.
I`m SICK of all of them. They all represent the lobbiests that pay them.
Why I'm shocked!? You mean Republicans are trying to stop the biggest expansion of government that will spend us into oblivion and turn the U.S. into a socialist state?! Oh, the humanity!
DeMint is paid off by the insurance companies like the other elected creeps that put money over lives. You people and Joe Lieberman are the DEATH PANELS.
Why slow it down, lets spend some more money. 12 trillon is all we're in debt now, lets make it an even 20. Let's give all the women free abortion coupons and spend more money teaching kids in school about diversity instead of how to ad. We need to keep those young minds on our side. Perhaps in brainwashing 101 we can use some math too. Johnny has two male parents and andrew has two female parents, how many gays are there?
just another case or republicans showing they are not interested in advancing the nation, but just interested in promoting their own selfishness and attempts to remain relevant.
if they were interested in the nation they would be assisting the president in a show of patriotism, but..... the party of "no" and michaels steele's obvious hatred and jealously towards the president just makes the republicans a sad bunch.
one people will wake up and see whats right in front of their faces...
hopefully
George Washington once said"I fear the political party system in this country. Politicians will forget where their first loyalty lies. With the country not their party."
Just more proof that the Republicans have sold out the American people to the moneyed interests. Those who line their campaign pockets with cash instead of the voters who elected them to office. DeMint has do business in office, he only looks after the interest of those who believe like him and too punish those who will not come around to his twisted belief system. Time to dump this looser who believes in dictatorship not representation.
Good!!! Until Senator Reid releases the bill so all can see, there should be no discussions on its mythical contents.
Obama and the Demoncrates dont get it, the majority of people DONT WANT IT. Impeach Obama and VOTE OUT ALL DEMONCRATES.
So the RepubliCAN'Ts state: "...we'll do everything we can to stop this government takeover of health care.'"
They want to STOP it but in another breath, the say a REFORM is needed???? Why not WORK WITH IT!!!
This is going to BACKFIRE on the RePUKES because while they have NO Suggestions, they have NO Solutions either!!! LOSERS!!!
Will the gentleman from South Carolina kindly pass the ban on pre-existing conditions so that I may have healthcare and open my business?
The kind gentleman is trampling over my American dream with his obstructionism.
I think we know what DeMint's been smoking...and it ain't ciggies or weed. Take off the kneepads and get out from under the insurance industry's desk you bought-and-paid-for half-a-man.
This is a ridiculous story. DeMint or Coburn have never attempted to hide their strategy. The only thing that has tried to remain covered up is exactly what the dems are planning on doing with the health care bill.
The GOP does not care about America. They only care about making everyone that doesn't support their far right ideas fail.
Now that is what I call working together for a better society.
I can't believe this self-righteous idiots ever get elected. Their motto: "If you don't like the conversation, plug your ears and throw a tantrum."
They are certainly not role models for my children.
"I'm shocked, shocked I tell you" to find out that a southern republican, or republican from any part of the country for that matter, would be an obstructionist on health care reform.
Oh I forgot. The republican idea of health care reform is to have mandatory health insurance or go to jail, pay higher insurance premiums, eliminate Medicare and then if you do get sick to "Die quickly"...
Is this the same loser that accused our marines of acting like hitler or popot(spelling). Durbin should know that every republican and a large majority of our country are against this disastrous bill. This is not a secret. Is this joker relevant anymore?
Republicans with each passing day bring forth more evidence why we should have a one-party system in America; without them in it.
I am from SC & I am very proud of our great Sen. DeMint & other GOP Senators doing whatever it takes to stop this monstrosity health care bill that will raise taxes & insurance premiums, and lower quality of care. It seems the libs will do whatever it takes to get it passed, but we already know they have no moral compass & the ends justify the means no matter how corrupt!
@Lacrosse Mom people are not denied healthcare in our country. You can't go to a hospital and be denied because you don't have insurance. Your continuous statements about the healthcare industry and the bill are complete lies. Get your facts straight before you start rambling about something that you know very little about. There is not a person in this country that believes our present system is perfect. The problem is that the bill being proposed will bankrupt our country. Millions of people work in this industry and they will be out of a job if the bill that the libs want passes. This is math 101. Please do some research outside of CNN, MSNBC,NBC, and the daily kos. It is amazing what you will find
Keep up the good fight Sen. Jim DeMint. At least you know 71% of Americans do not want this bill to pass.
i have insurance, i work for a living and i am FOR healthcare reform. even if they would just get rid of the "pre-existing conditons" clause we would all be better off.
i'm so sick of these spoiled rich kid conservatives talking down to the people of this country like we don't know what universal healthcare will do.
i know what our current healthcare system can and can't do, and i'm tired of it and want to see something else.
if we try something and it doens't work, we can change it again. quit being whiney little suckers and actually work FOR the American PEOPLE and stop doing the bidding of the American corporations.