GOP dodges Medigate

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.thehill.com/news/033104/medigate.aspx

Republican lawmakers are distancing themselves from the still raging Medicare scoring controversy by chastising the Bush administration for withholding information from Congress.

So far, GOP legislators have dodged the spotlight on accusations regarding the suppression of Medicare projections to Congress.

As the White House continues to attempt to downplay the significance of what Democrats have dubbed “Medigate,” congressional Republicans generally have not come to the defense of the administration.

Hill Republicans have defended President Bush fiercely in the wake of serious allegations made by Richard Clarke, the president’s former top counterterrorism aide. But on the Medicare scoring controversy, GOP legislators have been relatively quiet.

[WillParkinson]

1. Bush would NEVER withhold information...

I mean, really, it's not like he's dishonest or anything.

<Sigh>

[wellst0nev0ter]

2. I Guess To Be Fair, Some Of These Rethugs Were Just As Much

Victimized as we are. They never would have signed off on the huge entitlement/corporate welfare program if they knew it actually cost more than it was advertised. And don't forget the GOP Congressman who was threatened if he didn't sign off on the bill.

on edit: Whoo-hoooo! I finally hit the century mark on DU!

[dae]

5. Congrats, one day I hope to hit 1000, & btw, it's millennium. :-)

[librechik]

3. Go, dems!

now's your chance--the Clarke story will die down starting Friday--go for the throat!

[Judi Lynn]

4. This is getting more interesting...

From the article:

The key question some Democrats are asking is whether congressional Republicans were aware last year of Medicare actuary Richard Foster’s projections. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) said yesterday, “It is absolutely inconceivable that didn’t have the numbers.”

Other healthcare experts agree, noting that the White House coordinated its every step on Medicare reform with Hill Republicans, and speculate that the administration probably shared Foster’s numbers with top GOP legislators.
(snip)

In the meantime, Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) was quoted in The New York Times March 17 as saying she “absolutely” had been aware of Foster’s Medicare numbers last year. GOP aides winced when they read her quote, and the next day, Johnson issued a press release that said, “No specific estimate was provided to me by on the House bill.”
(snip)

[JanMichael]

6. My gawd...Could you IMAGINE the Media attack if Clinton had pulled....

...the exact same crap?

It woulda be ferocious.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Dems need to" keep the story alive"? What about the press???

From the article: "Democrats have made headlines on this issue, but they will need new developments to keep the story alive."

Keeping this story of a clear case of fraud and deception on a grand scale by the Bush administration alive is not the responsibility of the press??? The media frames every issue involving this administration as "political," with two sides. There are NOT two sides to every story!

[DeepModem Mom]

8. kick

[keithyboy]

9. They "dodge" the issue thanks to help from the media.

The new "liberal" talk radio needs to address this issue strongly!!!

The motto for them should be: "We choose the news that others lose!"
or "not fair and balanced but substaniated and true."

Or how about: "They won't tell you; we will."

[KAZ]

11. Good stuff! n/t

n/t

[wicket]

10. kick!

:kick: