White House reacts to Kucinich
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/17/art.kucinich.gi.jpg caption="Rep. Dennis Kucinich announces he will support the health care reform bill."]
Washington (CNN) – Reacting to the announcement by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, that he'll support the health care reform bill even though he doesn't like it, a senior administration official at the White House said "obviously we welcome the announcement and we want everyone to support the bill."
President Obama had been wooing Kucinich, who voted no on the earlier House bill and had been undecided on whether he'd embrace the Senate bill.
The Ohio congressman accompanied Obama on Air Force One Monday for a day trip to his district just outside Cleveland, Ohio. During the flight, White House aides say the president made the case for health care reform.
Obama got some help from audience members at the Strongsville, Ohio event. As the president introduced Kucinich, some in the crowd shouted, "vote yes!" Obama seized the moment by responding, "Did you hear that Dennis? Go ahead, say that again."
Kucinich is only one vote, but he represents progress for the president who has launched a full court press to win over undecided Democrats.
"Reacting to the announcement by Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, that he'll support the health care reform bill even though he doesn't like it"
What idiot votes for something he doesn't like? UNBELIEVABLE! And we all wonder why this country is in the condition it is in. For these politicians it's all about money and power and screw the little guy.
Thank you, Mr. Kucinich. Your yes vote is on the side of good. It may not be the perfect bill but it is a good start and will do good things for a lot of people, regular people who deserve to be helped with insurance reform.
I guess no one remembers when this little slime ball was mayor of Cleveland and bankrupted the city.
Way to go Kucinich! AND take others on the fence, along with you.
I know the logic Obama used while on the Air Force One...
" How would you like to see a train that can go from that city over there to Cleveland at 250 mph? We'll call it the Kucinich Speed Line. Nice ring to it, huh?"
Let's hope some of the other holdouts come to their senses, too, and decide if Dennis can vote for it, so can they. It's the right thing to do and when it's started saving folks' lives and money, maybe the people so afraid of it will come to their senses as well.
Thanks Dennis! This is a good first step for America. Even though the bill needs to be tweaked, we need to get beyond the obstructive idiots who represent the party of 'no.'
Judas sold out Jesus The Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Dennis sold out We The People for a ride on Air Force One. He chose the pathetic over the prophetic and now will join the dung pile of other hypocritical bought-off politicians.
What a shame no one can stand their ground.
Way to go, Dennis! We are proud of you for coming through for the millions of Americans in desperate need of meaningful health care reform!!
Kucinich: not only a hypocrite, but a traitor as well. You are going to loose support as well as respect, big time!
Put a stache on this guy and who does he remind you of.
Yep, Adolf. I'm sure Adolf would have wanted a universal healthcare system run by the government as well.
Pass the bill by any means necessary and then start working on jobs and foreclosures.
I wonder how much his vote is costing the American people. Obama sure pulled out all the stops with this one...meeting with him four times and giving him a ride on Air Force One. What a sad day...our government is no longer about the people but how much money can I get for myself and the area I represent.
United, Democrats can not be defeated!
Let this be a lesson that the progressives, liberals, and blue dogs remember. You can banish the Republicans to the political leadership wilderness for 40 years IF you stay UNITED.
This is necessary to force the party-of-no to come to the table for an honest debate. Just as the President has done on the Healthcare Insurance Reform bill, he will incorporate the smartest ideas of the GOP in legislation going forward.
GOP should provide better alternative than what Demo party is putting on the table if they are serious. NO is not the answer to this needy situation. How many more lives should we lose to take action? Demos be bold and vote yes. You will be re-elected. We will knock doors and vote for you and these thugs. VOTE YES NOW
First off, I support "Health Care Reform", but NOT the definition used by the Democratic leadership. Hell, that definition still isn't clearly defined as admitted to by Pelosi.
Do we pass something labeled as "Health Care Reform" which causes more issues than it corrects? I don't see the sense in this approach. What exactly do you support in this so called reform bill? And do you really know what is in the bill? Trick question here, because not even Pelosi knows that one.
diridi,
I fear this healthcare bill, if passed will come back to bite us all. The dramatic increase in Federal spending and 'oversight' will caused raises in taxes for you, me, our children, and our children's children. In the end it will also LIMIT the care that you and I get. My thought – why not drive healthcare providers towards the models of care at the Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and other cooperative care models. The doctors there are salaried (read this as not driven by the need to perform procedures just to get more money) and they do the right things for the patient.
If this bill passes, and you eventually can't get the care you want because some government official says we can't afford it, you will only have yourself to blame.
John
That's too bad, I had higher hopes for Kucinich. We need insurance reform, but this bill is a major step backwards! Single payer is the only sane solution.
Sometimes you have to accept that life is not perfect but still worth living. In 1776, the northern colonies wanted to abolish slavery and make that clear in the Declaration of Independence but the South would not sign-on to that. If the North held out then the revolution would have to wait longer and, just like this health care bill, might never have become a reality at all. Some Dems what a strong public option but they know, just like the Northern States, that issue can be addressed later, cards fall as they may.
Way to go Dennis. Yes, the bill isn't perfect, but as I told my mother this morning, if it doesn't get passed now, it'll be another thirty-forty years before it's tried again. No administration will touch it after this!
The main thing it does is keep the insurance companies from denying or cutting off coverage due to pre-existing condition. If that's all it did, it would still be worth it, but it does do more – providing marketplaces for people to buy insurance and keeping the insurance companies from raising their rates aribtrarily just to increase the bottom line.
If Obama can finally pull this off, I'll be back to supporting him again. I was truly disappointed in his "hands off" attitude this past year.
Sell-Out! Hey, Denny what did you get for your state by "changing your mind"? Looking forward to the details.
considering everything that has taken place thus far, it is not out of line for some to wonder what kucinich was promised for his change of heart.
So what sweetheart deal will be hearing about soon that Kucinich was promised. This healthcare legislation is a BIG mistake and our grandchildren will still be paying for it should it pass or "not get voted on, but voted in".
It is to bad that he decided to vote for what the President and the Speaker wants rather than the majority of the citizens of this country would like to see. He was elected by the people to be their voice and evidently he feels that his voice is more important than the citizens of the United States of America. Not angry, just disappointed.