The GOP are absolute fools if they allow themselves to be coopted in this scheme to force Obama care upon the rest of us.

1) the public doesn't want socialized medicine.

2) Obama doesn't want anything less. In his entire political career he has never once compromised his ideological stand.

Not once.

Playing his BS bipartisanship game will only allow him to create some kind of cover for his bill and present him an opportunity to buy off votes from weak/corrupt GOP congressmen.

3) the public wants congress to do something about the economy and that doesn't include spending another 2 trillion dollars a year on graft.

Any question as to how fake this outreach to the GOP is can be resolved by looking at how fast the dems have tried to capitalize on Murtha's death to push Obamacare.

IF the Republicans meet with Barry, they'd better bring a set of balls with them this time and get ready to yell BULLSHIT! when he pulls the 'we're only going to discuss what's been passed by both Houses". Barry needs to be told that they START FROM SCRATCH, or he can take his "bipartisanship", bend over AND SHOVE IT UP HIS ASS! This is nothing but a grandstand play by Barry to save his ego when his "health care reform" hits the trash bin.

The GOP must meet with him to take away 1,400 speeches wimpering about how the GOP wouldn't even meet with him. GarandFan is right, though, they need a set of balls when they do it.

before commenting we should all go to NRO and read their letter in total.

No way Rahm or Obama allows a civil response to this letter. It lays down alot of conditions the biggest of which is a "start over". There is alot of face rubbing of Obama about transparency and bi-partisanship and how he has failed on both counts.
I think it was a pretty well written response to Obama and it asks Obama to show some cards before the meeting which there is no way he will agree to do. He won't say no to any one thing but there will be alot of we'll get back to you later answers.

The House GOP should tell Obama to read this:
http://www.smallbill.org/

He should be told that after he has familiarized himself with the points in the pdf document he must understand that is where the discussion will begin.

Stupid Jeff. Tell me to read the damn letter first. WTH GDY! I was sooooo ready to vent.

Really it reads more like an extremely polite fuck you to President Obama.

Venting ... averted.

It's clear from the administrations "invitation" that this is intended to be Obama explaining his plan so all the GOP can understand him and then he will demand that having had it explained they have no excuse other than partisanship to oppose it.

This is not about listening to the GOP. The dems are already saying hat they plan to start with their plan as is, "listen to the GOP" and then move forward with their Obamacare plan.

You can see this coming from a mile away. Obama 'listens ' to the GOP, declares their ideas unworkable, then demands that they pass his plan.

The GOP has had their ideas out there for a year now. If Obama were interested in compromise he would have sought it before now. This is just window dressing for his final move to shove it down our throats.

You can find the letter here: http://gopleader.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=169716

No cover to the commie jerk.

The only way this can end up being a win for the GOP is if they find a way for Obama to make an ass of himself on TV.

I don't think Obama realizes that he is lecturing and preaching to a CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. Or maybe he does, but his ego will not allow it to affect his decisions.

Ok reading the response it sounds a little better. I just hope the GOP will show some balls and not cave in to pressure from Obama and the media.

I would expect John McCain to come groveling toward Obama by Thursday. We'll see how many follow.

Dave W -

The problem is that a lot of people, especially those in the media, do not believe that the three branches of government are supposed to be equal. They truly believe that the executive branch should be able to force the legislative branch around.

It's clear from the SOTU that Obama believes that the Judicial branch is subservient to both the executive AND legislative branches.

Apparently democracy is too nuanced an idea for the liberal mind.

Just read Boehner's response letter. It's was like reading the disclaimer to a magazine advertisement for a psychotropic drug.

Takeaway: Boehner and Co. are afraid to write NO and so their letter is gussied up with remonstrances and question marks resulting in a typically fruity Boehner production.

As soon as Obama states something along the line of "we will use the house and Senate bill as a starting point" the republicans should say "Are we going to start fresh from square 1?" if they are told no (and they will be) then they should just politely walk out of the chamber.

If Obama wants their input he needs to meet them halfway.

He doesnt so he wont. He just wants cover. They are going to demonize repubicans no matter what.

bryanD, you should read the comments. Jeff already told us to read the letter. You're late again.

And by late I mean stupid.

"Jeff already told us to read the letter."-kltz

What Cabin Boy #1 tells Cabin Boy #2 to do is immaterial to me.

bryanD: "It's was like reading the disclaimer to a magazine advertisement for a psychotropic drug."

Bryand betrays much about himself, no?

bryanD writes:
"What Cabin Boy #1 tells Cabin Boy #2 to do is immaterial to me."

Then it would follow it is quite rational for us to feel the same way about your musings.

bryanD "Just read Boehner's response letter. It's was like reading the disclaimer to a magazine advertisement for a psychotropic drug."

That's odd, we all have the same feeling.

After reading each and every comment you offer on any subject.

Asshat.

I'll believe it when Congress actually passes a healthcare bill. Otherwise, I have no confidence.

the Republicans need to bring 2 clean white flip-charts...and force Barry to start from scratch on just THREE problems:

(1) allow Insurance plans across all State lines (there is NO reason for this)
(2) Tort reform
(3) Pre-existing conditions

Have the Dems write their SIMPLE plan for those three things on one, and the Repubs on the other. They can't agree, of course...but the country will be able to see the different approaches.

Those THREE things are all we need addressed now...all the rest was Democrat pork and bullshit.

Justrand
I agree with you. They need to state that they should past the parts that the sides agree on and put the pressure on Obama. Otherwise Obama will put in a couple of small compromises then claim if the GOP doesn't back it that the GOP is a Party of No.

Also the GOP needs to throw the "Party of No" propaganda back into their faces. They need to use lines like "when it comes to massive deficit we are the party of NO" and "when it come to weakening our ability to defends ourselves from terrorist, we are the party of NO" etc.

"The only way this can end up being a win for the GOP is if they find a way for Obama to make an ass of himself on TV."

Thats simple.. Play reruns of Barry's SOTU address.

This was the public statement. Boehner's initial response to Obama was more concise:

Mr. President:

Fuck you. Strong letter to follow.

Sincerely yours.

Bryan D

Actually the letter is more nuanced than that (you know what nuance is right? It's what libs say that they are good at).

The letter says that the GOP is willing to actually sit down and talk about health are reform but that they are well aware that the administration doesn't believe in compromise and so therefore they are not particularly willing to be players in Obama's kabuki theater.

The language of the letter is actually rather straight forward. The answer is yes if Obama is willing to start from a blank sheet, but no if he wants to start from the existing bill.

Obama has already signaled that he intends to start with the existing bill and will not consider anything else.

The reason they didn't simply write "NO" is they're not sure Obama would understand it.

Justrand is right, tort reform has to be in the final package. State-by-state tort-reform challenges by ATLA are based on individual state constitutionality which is not reviewable by the US Supreme Court, but renewed efforts by the states to amend their constitutions will force ATLA to assert federal claims like the 14th Amendment which IS reviewable. Save the courts the turmoil & address tort reform in Congress at long last!

If the Republican "leadership" falls for this crap they deserve to lose. Go back into Congress and introduce a BILL to start the health care process over. This televised White House propaganda isn't a real process. It is all for show. Get off there butts and introduce real legislation in the House where BILLs start. If the Republicans compromise on the existing BILL with Obama and the democrats they can forget about EVER getting a support from me. Vote ALL incumbents out!