The video shows that 13 McCain voters and 13 Obama voters in 2008 mostly agree on a coupe points. Republicans did much better than expected and Democrats did not. They also tell Lutz.
"Democratic dismissal of any attempt by Republicans to start a dialog"
"They're not listening to us, they're not listening to the people"
Lutz asked the whole group, and remember, these are half McCain voters and half Obama voters, "how many of you feel they are listening to you, raise your hands?"
Not one single person raised their hands.
Next question, "How many of you think Washington is still ignoring you?"
Every single person raised their hands.
Watch the whole video.
Yesterday Gallup reported that if an agreement was not reached at the Doc and Pony show aka bipartisan healthcare summit, "Americans by a 49% to 42% margin oppose rather than favor Congress passing a healthcare bill similar to the one proposed by President Obama and Democrats in the House and Senate. By a larger 52% to 39% margin, Americans also oppose the Democrats in the Senate using a reconciliation procedure to avoid a possible Republican filibuster and pass a bill by a simple majority vote."
The Democrats expected to be able to show Republicans as not willing to work in good faith, instead they portrayed themselves as the party refusing to work in a bipartisan manner.
The Democrats have been pounding on the false notion that Republicans weren't putting forward and ideas and this political show has now informed the public that the Republicans not only have ideas, presented them, but have summarily had them dismissed by Democrats.
Some choice quotes from CNN, The Hill and Fox are provided by Republican.senate.Gov:
CNN’s WOLF BLITZER: “It looks like the Republicans certainly showed up ready to play.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)
CNN’s GLORIA BORGER: “The Republicans have been very effective today. They really did come to play. They were very smart.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)
• BORGER: “They took on the substance of a very complex issue. … But they really stuck to the substance of this issue and tried to get to the heart of it and I think did a very good job.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)
• BORGER: “They came in with a plan. They mapped it out.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)CNN’s DAVID GERGEN: “The folks in the White House just must be kicking themselves right now. They thought that coming out of Baltimore when the President went in and was mesmerizing and commanding in front of the House Republicans that he could do that again here today. That would revive health care and would change the public opinion about their health care bill and they can go on to victory. Just the opposite has happened.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)
• GERGEN: “He doesn’t have a strong Democratic team behind him.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)
THE HILL’S A.B. STODDARD: “I think we need to start out by acknowledging Republicans brought their ‘A Team.’ They had doctors knowledgeable about the system, they brought substance to the table, and they, I thought, expressed interest in the reform. I thought in the lecture from Senator John McCain and on the issue of transparency, I thought today the Democrats were pretty much on their knees.” (Fox News’ “Live,” 2/25/10)
THE WEEKLY STANDARD’S STEVE HAYES: “I think to me the most important thing to come out of the morning so far is that Republicans have spent a great deal of time talking with great passion, and I think eagerness about their plans, detailing the plans that until this morning them democrats had been saying didn't exist. Well, you now see, I think, in great detail that Republicans do have plans, that they care about the same issues and that they feel passionately about it.” (Fox News’ “Live,” 2/25/10)
When the idea of the summit was first presented by Barack Obama, many on the right were convinced that it would be set in a manner that would make mincemeat out of Republicans, but I said, and I quote:
Actually I think that is a great idea.
Finally, instead of consistently hearing the Democrats claim the Republicans have presented no ideas, the President himself will give Republicans the opportunity, a forum and a public one at that, to which to present their ideas, the ones Democrats have tossed to the side time and time again without allowing discussion in either chamber.
Brilliant idea in my humble opinion.
Representative Paul Ryan, Republican of Wisconsin, was one of the stars of the event and the video below shows you why. (H/T Weekly Standard)
Paul Ryan: Hiding Spending Doesn't Reduce Spending
My favorite quote from Ryan comes at the end of the clip where he says:
"The American people are engaged and if you think they want a government takeover of healthcare, I would respectively submit 'you're not listening to them'".
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