Romney slams Obama in reaction to Blunt amendment vote
(CNN) – GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney released a statement Thursday following the vote in the U.S. Senate killing the "Blunt amendment," a controversial proposal pushed by Republicans that would have allowed religious employers to opt out of providing health care coverage for contraception.
"I applaud the Senators who took a stand today and voted to defend religious freedom," Romney said. "The Obama Administration has directly attacked the First Amendment of our Constitution and individual liberty. The President of the United States must protect and defend the Constitution, not ignore it. This is yet another example of what is wrong with Obamacare, and why I am committed to its repeal."
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On Wednesday Romney was forced to explain his stance on the controversial Senate amendment after he came out against the legislation. He later said he supported the provision and "misunderstood" an inquiry from a reporter.
The amendment was sponsored by Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt, a supporter of the former Massachusetts governor. The provision was an attempt by Senate Republicans to confront a simmering controversy over rules governing religious employers and health care coverage they are required to provide.
– CNN Producer Gabriella Schwarz contributed to this report.
Also see:
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HRPuckinfutz - Not a first amendment issue. It is a medical issue. This has nothing to do with the practice of religion. It has to do with the practice of medicine.
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You're sorely misinformed. And why is the federal goverment forcing itself into EITHER one of these? Shredding the Constitution is a daily event with Obama and his Obamacare disaster. Obama will be toast in November and Obamacare tossed out in June by the USSC. The Constitution MUST be restored and enforced in this country. Obama is turning this country into a Banana Republic that Hugo Chavez would be proud of.
(gotta proofread better)
So, what't next from the Senate? Federally-mandated transvaginal scans? So much for freedom and liberty.
Love the "Mitt is unfit" comment!
Sums him up perfectly, Wire Palladin, S.F.!!!!
Thanks!
it takes an especially warped mind to view this one as an attack on religion. Thankfully a saner majority prevailed – government protects the rights of the individual to CHOOSE, regarding religion, beliefs and practices AND NOT the mock 'rights' of corporations and organizations to dictate the actions of those with which it tangentially interacts. These nutjobs make me sick
For the right, freedom of religion is more important than freedom of the individual. The right of a church to impose its beliefs on others takes precedence over the other's right to no be so imposed. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stick with freedom of the individual.
Willard could not be a bigger bigot. Providing contraceptive care has nothing to do with Freedom of religion; you can still practice your religion just fine. It is about honoring women's right to choose. All religions are mass control mechanism and bigots are upset that they are losing their grip over what women can and can not do.
Again, a bunch of old white guys sitting around to decide nothing that pertains to them. A woman's rights being thrown around with the other fodder that makes no difference. Come November the women will know what to do.
Define "religious freedom", Mr Money. Is it taking away a person's health care coverage? If my employer believes religiously in fate, should I be denied coverage for emergency medical care? How come "religious freedom" only applies to corporations? How about individual freedom? How about the freedom of a person (human person, not one of your mythical corporate persons) to choose whether to take advantage of health care coverage?
I think the compromise the president came up with was more than fair. This amendment would have opened up a big box of chaos and the formation of all kinds of whacky cults.
I don't know why the republicans would try to make this a wedge issue. It's like they are going out of their way to alienate people. They can pretty much write off the black and Latino vote, so now they want to include women on the growing list of people that won't vote for them.
The only thing they can do to alienate women further would be to put Sarah Palin back on the ticket.
This guy flip flops almost everyday on something or another. He just had a different opinion on yesterday regarding this very thing and it wasn't 1 hour later he was switching his position. Mitt Romney will never be president and it will be his own fault. He said he is not willing to "set his hair on fire" to excite the base, well Mr. Romney you have already done just that, and he is more than willing to sell your soul to the devil for the nomination. Actually, I feel right down sorry for him!
The Blunt Amendment did not pass. Enough said. Blame yourselves GOP for putting yourselves into that corner. BTW, it usually takes Mittens about a day or two to do his 180 turns, but on the Blunt one he did it within hours. LOL He didn't understand the question–pathetic damage control on Team Romney's part.
For the Republicans "freedom of religion" means the ability of your employer to force its religious beliefs on you. Your employer could deny you medical coverage for anything from birth control (which Catholics oppose) to blood transfusions and organ transplants (which Jehovah's Witnesses oppose) or even any medical treatment at all since some religions believe in only prayer as a form of treatment. This was one of the stupidest bills ever and thank goodness the Democrats were there to stop it. I don't need my employer deciding which medical treatments I can have - that is not freedom to me! Vote Democrats 2012 - the ones who are REALLY for freedom.
Another example of Mittens being "for" something, then "against" because he didn't understand the question. Disgusting. I can't believe the Rs are apparently on this witch hunt against health care for women!
Mitt is in favor of "religeous freedom". Me too. I'd like to see the Islamic center built at ground zero.
keep talking mitt and hopefully most women will listen and not vote for you . Oh wait you could flop back the other way if you thought you could pick up more votes. Flip Flop Flip Flop; Idiot repos complaining about White house Easter egg roll. Can you believe that say it is a photo op for President. Tired of all you looney tunes Obama /Biden 2012
I do hope American women are paying close attention. Apparently Mr. Romney believes that the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness does not necessarily extend to or cover persons who come equipped a womb. According to Mr. Romney, employers must be allowed to treat wombed people as second class citizens, so long as they do so "in good conscience".
Balderdash!
The real story is just how much this vote illustrates the partisan divide in our country. This is a blatantly bad bill...and most people know that it is a blatantly bad bill. Yet 50 out of 53 Dems voted against it while 48 out of 49 Reps voted for it. There is absolutely no reason that this should have been that close...and yet there it is. A 51-48 vote. If there was justice in the world, this vote would be a huge wake-up call to all Americans. Yet, sadly, it will likely disappear into the news cycle dust bin, and be replaced by the latest Snookie news.
Flip Flopper Mittens – are you sure you understand the issue?
Obama 2012
Rmoney seems awful worked up about a bill he didn't take a position on until just a few hours ago. What principles!
So according to Romney, Santorum cannot be president. Does anyone remember a few days ago when Santorum basically asid the first amendment made him want to puke? And that separation of church and state shouldn't exist? Why does Romney constantly confuse Santorum with Obama.
SANTORUM IS THE ONE WHO SAID HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE FIRST AMENDMENT, NOT OBAMA! GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT MITT!
Oh, and by the way, when did medical care become a religious issue anyway? Never once did I ever get a physical from my Rabbi, so I'm not sure where the GOP is going with this.
How intelligent, or desperate, is it to slam a any issue/person that's been voted a clear winner? Romney is starting to look as absurd and ridiculous as Santorum when Santorum claimed a tie in Michigan. Even Republican women (not the ones who are Stepford Wives or Mrs. Willard) will show Romney or Santorum the light in November.
Mitt misunderstood the question. If you want to be President you can not misunderstand questions. "Mr. President, do we go to war or stay home" " OOps, I misunderstood the question, bring them all home."
"Mitt is Unfit."
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Good one Wire. I also like "Mitt is a Twit".
Romney is such a fraud and a fake. One minute he was against that disgusting bill, abnd the next minute he was for it. Go figure. Flop-flopping idiot!
Please, slams Obama indeed. The Republicans stance is WHATEVER is the opposite of what Obama's stance is. And folks, that's NO stance at all.
Obama 2012.