Senator Reed smacks down Senator Lugar's idiotic suggestion: put off health care, focus on war

[ProSense]

Lugar's 'Audacious' Proposal: Delay Health Care Until Next Year And Focus On Afghanistan

Ben Frumin

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) suggested on CNN's State of the Union this morning that the Senate's health care debate -- set to begin tomorrow -- ought to be delayed until next year so the Senate can focus on the war in Afghanistan and the U.S. economy.

"The war is terribly important," Lugar said. "Jobs and our economy are terribly important. This may be an audacious suggestion, but I would suggest we put aside the health care debate until next year, the same way we put cap-and-trade and climate change

, and talk now about the essentials -- the war and money."

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), also a guest on State of the Union, swatted that suggestion away.

"Absolutely not," Reed said.

We have to go ahead and conclude this debate. To stop now would be stopping on the edge of significant reform."

Frankly, it's ironic. Under the Bush administration, there was no serious debate about Afghanistan," Reed said. "That was relegated to the sideline. There was no attempt to pay for it. And suddenly now that becomes a critical need that we put aside health care? I don't think so. I think we have to push forward."

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[ClarkUSA]

1. Nice smackdown, Rep. Reed. Wasn't he allegedly in the running for VP?

K&R

[TwilightGardener]

4. Yep--I wanted him for VP. I also hope he'll be considered for SecDef when Gates leaves.

[ClarkUSA]

8. I second that. He strikes me as a perfect choice for SoD.

:thumbsup:

[saltpoint]

2. Recommended. In one respect I'm surprised Richard Lugar was even

AWAKE but not surprised that he was predictably clueless.

Good for Senator Reed to slap the old fool around on priorities.

[Forkboy]

3. Let's put off war and focus on health care.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. Good for Senator Reed!

I'm tired of hearing this ridiculous argument and I'm glad somebody put the smackdown on it. None of the Republicans, even the fairly reasonable ones like Senator Lugar, EVER seem to worry about how much things are going to cost whenever their party is running things from the Oval Office- not even "wars of choice" like Iraq- but the instant a Democrat gets elected POTUS, the Republicans (and even some Democrats) suddenly become so very *concerned* about how we're going to pay for whatever the Democratic POTUS is proposing (mostly in regards to social spending). It's ironic too because we have never in the history of our country (please correct me if I'm wrong because I'm going out on a limb here) spent more on social programs than on our military alone. It seems like the only acceptable spending cuts for the Republicans (and, unfortunately, some Democrats) are on social programs and never on our massive *offense* budget. Just the simple act of getting all of our troops, personnel, etc. out of Iraq now would dramatically cut the deficit but you won't ever hear a Republican whisper THAT suggestion. :eyes: Hypocrites, the lot of them!!! :puke:

[zbdent]

6. On the "there was no serious debate about Afghanistan" ...

Hell, there was no serious debate about invading and occupying Iraq ... any questions of making sure we had the info right was shot down with "you're aiding and abetting the terrorists" and "you're a peace-loving stupid liberal who wants to destroy America!"

[Orsino]

7. I'd say "nice try," Senator Lugar, but that was pretty stupid and clumsy. n/t

[karynnj]

9. Lugar is also ignoring that the SFRC held 4 recent hearings on Afghanistan

and one last February. He was at all 4 recent ones that "tested the assumptions" of the various scenarios. This is more than he did in 2002 when there were questions about Tora Bora when Lugar was the chair of the committee. In addition, the SFRC just issued a report on Tora Bora.

[Cha]

10. Thank you, Senator Jack Reed!

Like Americans' sickness and getting healthier isn't Important?

[saltpoint]

11. Good focus, Cha, not surprising from you, but welcome just the same.

A thanks is owed to Reed for slapping Lugar around a bit on national television on a key issue.

[Cha]

13. Yes, very important with the

Health Reform debate coming up tomorrow and the President's speech on Tuesday.

One reason I wanted this admin bc I knew they would have to be multi-taskers extraordinaire and they'd be up for the job.

[saltpoint]

14. Yes. And good for Reed for throwing in to help a good man and a good

cause against Lugar, a hapless fool and tool for the Pukes since his days as "Richard Nixon's favorite mayor" of Indianapolis.

God those were dark, evil days.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Yes, Reed is in a hurry to pass the Health Insurance Organization ENRICHMENT Bill. n/t