Barbour says let Romney 'have his day,' slams his health reform law
Washington (CNN) – One day after Mitt Romney formed a presidential exploratory committee, a potential competitor - Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour - said Tuesday that Romney should be allowed to "have his day" but also took a swipe at Romney's signature health care law saying, "We [Mississippi] don't want it."
The comments from the potential presidential candidate come on the fifth anniversary of the health reform law enacted in 2006 during Romney's term as Massachusetts governor. Democrats in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and elsewhere are drawing attention to the passage of "Romneycare," asking voters to "Thank Mitt Romney," and making comparisons between the Massachusetts law and the national health care law passed under President Obama.
Many have cited similarities between the two plans, specifically how both mandate the purchase of health insurance as a way to lower costs.
Barbour was asked about the issue as he spoke at a Congressional Health Care Caucus forum on Capitol Hill. The bulk of his comments were devoted to Medicaid reform. Among other things, the governor advocated states receiving block grants as a way to save money, and continued to push for the unraveling of what he and other critics call "Obamacare."
But during a question-and-exchange session, Barbour was asked about Romney's health care law.
"If Massachusetts wants that, more power to them. That's their business," Barbour said. "We don't want it. It would not be a good system for us. And we would not choose it in Mississippi. And frankly, we oppose the Obama administration trying to force it on us."
After his speech, reporters continued to press Barbour on Romney.
"Let Mitt [Romney] have his day. I mean, he just announced," Barbour said initially.
And yet moments later, when asked about comparisons between "Romneycare" and "Obamacare," Barbour responded: "I think the similarities are obvious. Whether there are political liabilities – you'll have to ask somebody besides me."
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"We don't want it. It would not be a good system for us. And we would not choose it in Mississippi. And frankly, we oppose the Obama administration trying to force it on us."
This swipe at Romney is a clear indication that Barbour intends on running. But regardless Haley, your state needs alot more than healthcare reform. You need state reform. Your state is a stain on the fabric of this country. I find it highly deplorable.
Wo is "us" Haley? Certainly not the people of Mississippi....
This blow-off from a blow-hard Governor who lets BP funds be spent willy-nilly all across his state? Haley-seriously? Neither of you are going to make it through the long stretch; you're both seen as too old, believe it or not.
How can an overweight catfish eater who governs a third world state make God like decisions?
Both of them are losers not to mention pigs so does it really matter?
Until all middle class Mississippians are living in a cardboard box, Haley will not be happy.
Mississippi only wants poverty, uneducated people and obesity, Barbour is right. Keep them poor and uneducated and they vote republican. Why does Barbour beg for federal funds when there is an oil spill or natural disaster.
ah let the GAMES BEGIN!!!
Hey, should Barbour really be laughing at Romney? After all, Romneys program was a success, benefits a lot of people and is well liked. Whereas Mississippi ranks last in just about every statistical category and he and his state are stuck in the 1960's. Yeah, I wouldn't go popping off if I was Barbour, he doesn't have anything to brag about.
WOW , that's all I can say , did he just say that he wants to deprive his own people of his state any kind of healthcare reform !!! Keep'm poor and stupid is the republican way...............GOP=GREED OVER PEOPLE !!!!
Fine. Keep Mississippi fat, uneducated, and racist (since ~50% of Republicans there think that interracial marriage should still be illegal).
u dont speak for me and my family u fat slob wake up people he has health care so what make him better than us.
One thing for certain, is that you will never accuse the republicans of creating anything worthwhile. If it was up to todays right wingnuts, Tennessee and Kentucky would not have electricity, the United States would not have interstate highways, women would not have careers, there would be no government agencies, consumer safety programs, there would be no equal rights, no minimum wage, and there would be no child labor laws.
@ DemoCommunists for a Better Way – Steal the Wealth, Bankrupt America, Blame the "rich" (people who work)
Romney signed it, right? He did not make a statement by vetoing it. Romney is a coward, and the people who think denying people health insurance, denying their cliams is a good thing guess again. I don't ever recall seeing you post one thing that could be called a solution. You represent the GOP perfectly: all talk, all insults, no solutions.
BTW, do you actually work, or are you borrowing your parent's computer while they are playing canasta at the old folks home?
If you want to see what the country would look like with "Boss Barbour" running it –
just go to Mississippi.
Haley, what is the infant mortality rate and average life span of a person in your state? How's the obesity rate? You are sucking my tax dollars from my hard-working blue state so you can inflict deep-fried butter on schoolkids? No wonder MS is ranked last in every category that matters.
Haley, remember what happened the last time your state supported nullification? Too bad Sherman did not get a chance to treat Mississippi the same way he treated Georgia.
One question...do they have toothpaste in Mississippi?
They need dental and obesity insurance in Mississippi. Heck, they need incest insurance in Mississippi. And it needs to be mandatory....
Barbour can't speak English so we in the north can understand him. With his state the poorest or one of the poorest and little or no care for those with needs I hope God will not find it in his plan for this man to do anything, but go away!
LMAO – This is getting good!!! Everyone on the RIGHT that's trying to be president is all the same!! But yet they are going to FIGHT among themselves over their own issues!!! Jeez!!
Ah yes, Mr. Barbour from the Great State of MISSISSIPPI - ranking a stellar #50 and #51 in all categories. He's done such a wonderful job there, why can't we get him to do the same to whole country? The only thing I want to hear from him is how much money his family's construction business made off rebuilding homes for Katrina victims, another "no-bid" contract brought to you by George Bush and Dick Cheney.
@Tom Paine-agreed! Sad that Barbour wants things to stay that way. Like a badge of honor or something. Although here in Ga, its not much better.Think we were 49th last time,only beating out MS and DC in education. Pathetic
Uh oh Romney, Boss Hogg is hungry and he's going to eat you first...nom nom nom nom nom....
hahaha...can't resist...the serpent eating its tail...the circular firing squad...it's all gong to be just too delicious watching the GOP do this to itself:
"I'm a better facsist pig than you is"...
"no, I am betters, looks at all my monies"...
"nooooo I am..."..
"nuh uh, I'm the bestest fascist corporate wh-re puppet EVAH lalalalalalalalala"...
"oh yeah? well, I have 5 year plan just like Stalin"...
"psssssh, well mine is 10 years, so plplplplplplplplpl"...
"you so stupid...you only get to be preznit for 8 years"...
"nuh uh...that's part of my plan...see? I winz"...