'Whatever:' Flake dismisses call to defund Obamacare
(CNN) - Republican Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona had two words to conservatives who want him to back a government shutdown threat in their effort to defund Obamacare:
"Oh, whatever."
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He posted that short message to Twitter on Monday evening along with a link to a radio ad from the Senate Conservatives Fund that claimed he wouldn't "stand up to President Obama and join conservatives in pledging to oppose funding for the implementation of Obamacare."
Republicans are divided over how to handle the health care law as they approach one of two fiscal deadlines. Funding for the federal government is set to expire at the end of September, and separately, the Treasury Department will run out of the "extraordinary measures" it has employed to avoid default since hitting the debt ceiling in May. Treasury said Monday it expects to reach the limit of those measures in mid-October.
But it is the September 30 deadline on which Republicans are focused. Some say they would support a continuing resolution to keep the government open on the condition it blocks funding for the president's signature health reform legislation.
Others, including Flake, stress their opposition to Obamacare but say it's unrealistic to expect Democrats, including Obama, to sign on to such a measure.
Speaking at a luncheon last week, he said of a government shutdown to block the law: "I agree with the goal, but not the tactic," according to the Arizona Daily Sun.
Arizona's other Republican senator, John McCain, has also said he does not support the shutdown threat.
Costing $31,750, the radio ad begins a two-week statewide run on Tuesday, the Senate Conservatives Fund said.
How about we defund the republican party. Seems a lot of money wasted, for no good purpose at all.
Defund Health Care??? How about pour money on WARS??? Idddiots. Pathetic Rethuglicans. Vote all these animals out, USA, have guts. God bless!!!!!
As the Affordable Care Act takes effect it will become impossible to repeal it. The people will see the benefits and tell the republicans where they can go
defund the attack on syria
The shut down hurts everyone without getting done anything other than showing that party is having a temper tantrum.
Go ahead Flake (and the gang), just do it and see what happens. You won't like what it does to what is left of your popularity (remember your weapons background check pledge?), or that of your party.
Here's a hint: perhaps instead of tying yourselves in radical, right-wing policy knots, why not actually do some work for a change- maybe something good for Americans, perhaps.
Such a waste of time. What we really need are bipartisan efforts on behalf of America. How 'bout competing to see who can do the most FOR America instead of otherwise? Just shut up and get to work.
Another bone thrown to the Tea Party. All this talk about shutting down the government is so much hot air. The votes are not there to stop Obamacare.
Wow..., a not so crazy Republican.
"Oh, whatever"? How old is this flake fool?
He sounds like petulant teenager and talks like one too
The rethugs are losing members and shutting down the government during a sequester that is mostly affecting the poor, seniors and veterans is not be such a great idea.
The Canadian/Cuban/American wannabe is the one leading the charge., That tells you that everyone should step out of the way!
Finally a Republican with a little common sense! I may not agree with the Affordable Healthcare Act, but to waste all this time trying to defund it and/or repeal it, is just plain stupid!
Fix it!
This is a mess. The country does not want this if the polls are right. I personally do not want it. It is not workable. How are we to keep funding it? The reason so many do not have health care is the cost. The gov cannot fund it because it is broke– no money to do this. We have to borrow the money. Enough already.
What a bunch of "Clowns". They, (Republicans) just don't get it. They have become so far out of touch with most Americans. Fringe extreme backward thinking districts where the education level is not beyond the 6th grade are their supporters. With a 3 % support of those under age of 30, and Women, Minority and LGBT they will go the way of the Dinosoar. Sooner the better and I'm a Republican who is fed up with what they have done to the party.
The greed over people party is running scared because the ACA is a good thing for Democrats and bad for some reclownlicans
I am asking Dems not to budge let the shutdown happen their backs are against the wall keep it there, Republicans like Flake,Mccain, and others are sensible enough to know that if there is a shutdown it will be total devastation of the gop.