Grayson remains defiant on 'die quickly' remarks
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/30/art.grayson.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Alan Grayson finally apologized - but not to Republicans."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Under fire for his claim that the GOP health care plan calls for sick people to "die quickly," Rep. Alan Grayson finally apologized - but not to Republicans.
"Last night, I gave a speech, and I'm not going to recount everything I said, but after that speech, several Republicans asked me to apologize," the Florida Democrat said in a defiant speech on the House floor Wednesday. "I would like to apologize."
Grayson then pointed to a Harvard study that reported more than 44,000 Americans die yearly because they lack health insurance. "That is ten times more than the number of Americans who have died in Iraq and who died in 9/11," he said. "But that was just once. This is every single year. That's right. Every single year. Take a look at this. Read it and weep."
"I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America," he concluded.
House Republicans initially wanted to introduce a resolution condemning Grayson for breaching House decorum with his remarks on Tuesday night, but the resolution's sponsor, Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, decided on Wednesday not to introduce the resolution and instead asked for Grayson to apologize to House GOP leadership.
Grayson refused to do so, and Republicans were quick to blast him for it.
"Alan Grayson not only refuses to apologize, he is doubling down on his despicable remarks and he is dragging his party with him," said Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which is targeting Grayson in next year's midterm election. "This is an individual who has established a pathological pattern of unstable behavior. He is derailing the national debate on healthcare reform and embarrassing his constituents as a result.
Spain also called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to "end her silence and demand an apology."
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Thank you, Rep. Grayson, for calling out the GOP enablers of the murder-by-spreadsheet insurance industry who don't give a crap about whether anyone lives or dies. The sooner we die, the sooner the GOP insurance company cronies realize more profit on the premiums we've paid all our lives, and the sooner they can pay off more GOPers to keep it that way.
if only other democrats had the nerve to stand up to reform opponents– ahem, Baucus, Conrad, etc,
Oh, the mean, nasty, inventor-of-dirty-tricks politics Republican extremists going "boo-hoo" because the dems are feeding them their own crap back. Sorry, it's all they appear to understand. Certainly not open-mindedness, consensus, statesmanship, co-operation. It's a hoot seeing them act like a bunch of crybaby bullies who just got a surprise punch in the nose by a member of the touchy-feelies.
Not sure what the big deal is , tea baggers , holding signs that were distastefull , Wison calling the President a liar and the fear mongers with the death panels even Palin ....so that is okay but this is not.....
Kinda like the pot calling the kettle black don't you think!
I love this guy. He is my new hero!
Go Grayson!
He shouldn't apologize anymore then the "you lie" lawmaker should. Free speech. This guy may be a liberal nut; but he's entitled to speak like one.
Grayson is bringing the debate to the place it needs to be–the total lack of a plan from the Republicans and the consequences of nonaction for the millions of uninsured and underinsured. Just think of the lame response Cantor gave to his consituent when she asked for specific help for her uninsured relative who has cancer. Republican are much more worried about the insurance companies than about the people who voted them into office. Go, Grayson!
How the GOP stink, and that's putting it mildly. I wish they would go away. They obviously don't mean any good to anybody except their own self-serving interests.
I don't think that the Republicans want sick people to die quickly. I think they don't want to injure private insurance companies. So if that means alot of people can't afford health insurance, so be it. As long as private industry isn't hurt. Never mind that these insurance companies make obscene profits and do everything that they can to not cover people or pay for treatment. They are private businesses, and in Republican land, that is all that matters. The most important thing in the world to the Republicans is that people follow the Republican way of doing things, whether or not the Republican way actually works.
When someone is denied health insurance, you are telling them if they get sick, they are on their own.
Mr. Grayson, thanks for putting the TRUTH out there for everyone to see, and especially for blind republicans.
Nobody with a shred of decency should give Grayson the time of day. He is using fear and hate like Hitler would.
Looks like another demorat will be going home when reelection time rolls around. Thats good, lets send all the tax and spend demorats back home.
I applaud Rep Grayson. I hope the people of Florida appreciate an honest man and reelect him next year. One can hope.
Don't stop Congressman. Don't stop until we have a public option and the greedy among us fall victim to their own hideous behavior once and for all.
Bravo Grayson Bravo
Republicans sure do hate the truth ...
No lets get the Democrats in the Senate to get behind the Public option like every responsible American should
Apologize? No one should apologize for telling the truth. The Republicans have never apologized for all their lies. It's about time the Dems stand up and fight back. WAY TO GO GRAYSON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coming from a group that parroted "death panels" sure squirm when they hear "hurry and die" thrown back at them. I take it the republicans don't like the taste of their own mud.
I'm with Go_Grayson... I'm donating today!
It's about time a Democrat had the guts to tell it like it is.........these Repubs and their outrage..........They are SO pathetic..........
About time....a Democrat with a pair!!! Good for you. I am proud to be a Democract in Florida!
Alan Grayson only spoke the truth...absolutely no apology necessary. The GOP are the ones who should issue an apology to the American people for all their lies, hatred, and fear-mongering. The GOP only cares about themselves, certainly not the American public. PUBLIC OPTION NOW!
outstanding! way to show some backbone, dems!!!
The only thing factually incorrect about the Congressman's remark is that he gives the Republicans too much credit for actually having a plan. When is the last time the Republicans actually had an idea, or a plan or constructive comment about moving this country froward. They spend all their time spinning hate and criticizing those who come up with plans and ideas. Republicans are the party of Big Insurance, the Party of Hate, the Party of Maintaining the Status Quo and the Party of NO. It's time they either come up with ideas to help or just get out of the way.
If you think about it, there is a method to the madness of the GOP. If people can't get health insurance due to preexisting conditions or unaffordable premiums, their life expectancy will probably be shorter than those that receive medical care. If enough people die earlier, then they won't be around to collect Social Security or use any Medicare benefits. From the GOP's point of view, it's a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
Dear Go Grayson: It was not the Republicans asking for consultations on potential euthanasia; it was not the Republicans trying to seize control of your medical life; it was not the Republicans who think even the illegals are entitled to more privileges reserved for citizens; and it was not the Republicans sending this nation into deeper debt and encouraging even more with this program. You are a bigoted, hateful, brain-dead dupe who seems to think they have the market cornered on insightfulness.