Forced to buy health care? Bill: 'Bull'
Posted: Sunday, April 20, 2008 12:36 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Mike MemoliBEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Bill
Clinton called criticism of his wife’s health-care plan “bull,” arguing that insuring all Americans is both “morally right” and “economically essential.”
At one of his four stops in the western Pennsylvania yesterday, Clinton told a crowd that he had just learned that Hillary was “being subject” to a new television ad on health care, with charges he said were “not true.”
“Every expert who has looked at this says, ‘If you provide the subsidies and you cap somebody's income, everybody'll be able to afford it; it'll be cheaper than anything you're buying now if you’re buying it,’” he said. “I’m just telling you, we won’t get control of cost unless we cover everyone.”
At his next event in Beaver Falls Middle School, he called health care “the big deal in this race,” and said Hillary’s position is “simple and direct.” “The two candidates disagree on this,” he said. “And, you know, you may hear some more about it before Tuesday.”
He paraphrased the claims in
Obama’s ad, saying, “‘Oh, it’s the end of the world. Oh, you’re gonna be forced to buy health care you can’t afford.’” He quickly added: “That’s bull. The only way you can afford it over the long run is that everyone is covered.”
By the time he reached Waynesburg University for his last event, the former president offered a more sarcastic take on the ads and sought to shift the discussion. “I just got a briefing before I came in here on all the … ads and mailings that Sen. Obama’s sending out in this ‘positive campaign,’” he said, seeming to roll his eyes. “I want to tell you what I think this election is really about…. It is about your future.”
Clinton noted this afternoon that his five stops in the Keystone State yesterday put him over 40 total for the entire primary campaign. And as some argue that the extended nomination fight is hurting the party, he read brand-new statistics on voter registration in one county showing that Democrats had gained a record advantage over Republicans.
“[It’s] because we’ve got a campaign, and because Pennsylvania’s votes are gonna count in this nominating process,” he said. “Aren’t you glad your votes are gonna be counted?”
He urged the crowd in Hermitage’s Hickory High School to “not only to support her, but to call every friend you’ve got, to talk to every stranger you pass on the street, to drag every person 18 years or older you can find to the polls on Tuesday.” “We need the biggest vote in Pennsylvania history to send a loud signal that we’re gonna change this country,” he said.
Joining Clinton on the trail today was former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, who noted his Pittsburgh roots. “I will be in his debt for the rest of my life for the way he and his wife Christie stood up for Hillary in Iowa,” Clinton said. “He stood with her; he’s a stand up guy. And I should have known he would be, since he grew up in Western Pennsylvania.”
