GOP support most important to Grassley

Posted: Monday, August 17, 2009 11:12 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
In an interview today on MSNBC's "Morning Meeting with Dylan Ratigan," Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R) said he'd vote against any health-care reform bill coming out of the committee unless it has wide support from Republicans -- even if the legislation contains EVERYTHING Grassley wants.

"I am negotiating for Republicans," he said. "If I can't negotiate something that gets more than four Republicans, I'm not a good negotiator."

When NBC's Chuck Todd, in a follow-up question on the show, asked the Iowa Republican if he'd vote against what Grassley might consider to be a "good deal" -- i.e., gets everything he asks for from Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D) -- Grassley replied, "It isn't a good deal if I can't sell my product to more Republicans."

In short, Grassley says he's willing to walk away from legislation in which he gets everything he wants. Over to you, Max Baucus...

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Comments

Big shocker...

GOP is always Party First, Country Last.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:22 AM)

Can someone remind me of ONE THING that Chuck Grassley has ever done for anyone other than himself?

Anyone?

Why in the world are we constantly subjected to what he "thinks" is beyond me.

I guess he is just one of these guys who likes the hear himself talk and is always available to fill media time so they just keep putting him on.

America is not enlightened.

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:23 AM)

Grassley reminds me of an assley! Grumpy old fart needs to retire. He's not negotiating for Republicans. He's being a drama king, needs some attention.

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:23 AM)

Here's what I think. If President Obama can't get the public option, then he shouldn't sign the legislation. Try again next year and the year after.

Remember how so many in this country were against gay marriage? Little by little, support is growing now in favor of it.

Don't pass lousy legislation President Obama. Fight for the PO, but if you don't get it, it means we need more progresive democrats in Congress.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:26 AM)

The "grass" is always greener on the other side.

Anna Molly (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:28 AM)

I totally agree with you BL and Nash. The party of NO is dying a slow death. Bummer is we have to watch it. Here's hoping someone from that party will smarten up and realize they are sinking.

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:29 AM)

Max Baucus has loyalties to nobody but his insurance lobbyist. Grassley is just a typical "Just Say No" Rethuglican. His words simply reinforces that fact. Money talks in Washington and Baucus's stalling on HCR has shown us that he is earning his pay.

The Rethuglicans will do and say anything to thwart the President's agenda, even if it harms the country. They only have loyalites to the party---the country be damned.

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:30 AM)

Upchuck Grassley, Sir Lie-alot, has proven that he's against HCR as it will never gain a majority of the dopes of nope votong for it. The party of sore losers is just caving in to big corporations as that's the only money they can dig up.

Sir Lie-alot has shown recently that he has always been a traitor to HCR as he tries to woo his clueless base by saying he's been stalling the legislation in order to defeat it and President Obama's agenda to repair the damage that Sir Lie-alot and his party of democracy haters has wrought upon our secular democracy and economy. Sir Lie-alot isn't a dragon slayer, just a democracy slayer.

Just Say No to Sir Lie-alot!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:31 AM)

What a nitwit! Can't say I'm surprised. This man needs mental health help. Toooooo bad, it is not covered in your health plan...... Sorry, dumb bell!

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:31 AM)

Get a clue-it isn't about what GRASSLEY wants, it is about what the voters want.

If Grassley gets what he wants, and polls still show that people aren't buying it, Republicans won't vote for it.

Get it?

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:31 AM)

Why am I not surprised that Senator Grassley is a member of "The Family" of C Street fame?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Grassley

When is the mainstream media gonna investigate C street? (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:31 AM)

Well there you have it... Sen. Snake in the Grassly has been exposed as a TRUE OBSTRUCTIONIST!

Never saw that one coming... LOL!

Sen Baucus need to throw his sorry wrinkled white ass to the curb!

HCR is going to get done... and that's the truth!

PASS HRC NOW CO-OP = COPOUT!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:32 AM)

Grasshole has been faking it
He NEVER was serious abut health care

How do we recover ?
STAND UP TO REPUBLICANS
Call them on their lies

Sarah Palin is not only an ignorant quitter, She's LYING !!
Noot Gingrich is LYING about 'Death Panels' (sic)

Losing the Public Option will hurt
But, if OBAMA LEARNS FROM THIS
It might be worthwhile

SCREW BIPARTISANSHIP
DON'T COMPROMISE WITH REPUBLICANS
Focus on the economy

I say forget the Carbon trading schemes

GET HEALTH CARE then
Focus on the economy

Be MORE ASSERTIVE with Republicans
You can't reason with them

PS
Thanks Ron Indiana
Maybe Evan Bayh will have chinks in his armor
Time for Real Democrats to challenge the Blue Dogs
Even if we lose the seats

A side note on the California Governor's race
Gavin Newsom blogs on Huff Post
Huff Post WILL NOT ALLOW CRITICISM of Groovey Gavin
I mentioned this on thw Washing Monthly and someone responded that the same applies to Allan Dershowitz

To paraphrase something said about Rudie G
There are 265.750 HOT, Single chicks in San Francisco
And Gaving decided to bonk his Best Friend's Wife

Groovey, Gavin

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:33 AM)

Grassley is stating what has become true of the Obama administration. Obama said he'd "Bring a new tone to Washington". Many expected that he'd be willing to work with the Republicans, but the opposite has been the case. Obama has choosen to ignore Republicans, which is fine because, well, as Obama says "I won".

But by taking that attitude, Obama isn't going to get any Republican votes, nor is he going to get the support he needs to pass his large legislative items. So Obama and the Democrats have made their choices, and they will pay for the failures that have occurred because of those choices in a little over a year.

TJ - Oklahoma (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:33 AM)

geez, i hate being a democrat. we're just a bunch of cowards. if the republicans had 60 in the senate, does anyone honestly think they'd be compromising in order to appease a few democrats?

andy (austin) (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:34 AM)

When all fails for the Democrats (and there are a lot of failures for the Democrats now in days), just bash the Republicans. Standard play #17 out of the Democratic playbook.

Barry Allen, Wash DC (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:34 AM)

"Eric, Fiesty, Anita
you guys OK?
I mean the prez just dumped your biggiest hope for free health care, you gona make it through? well once you cried it out you can come back here and spew your hatred"
Suicide Watch

Hey Suicide Watch - we're all just fine and we have not been proponents of free health care, as always you freaks have to resort to twisting people's words into your self serving hateful lies. That's okay we have a new moniker for you "Idiot Watch"!

Just Say No to Idiot Watch!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:35 AM)

Has Rachel Maddow shamed some in the Media into doing some actual factual reporting? This woman has been so impressive lately you have to stand back in awe of her. She is factually on the mark; detailed in information, accurate in her data, thorough in connecting sequences of events from the past to present of political operatives who hoped to once again thwart Insurance-Healthcare Reform. Her reporting has been so powerful that it has led to the firing of one of the Insurance Healthcare Reform’s biggest Opponent, Mr. Armey.
Bottom line is she comes prepared.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/8/17/767910/-Has-Rachel-Maddow-Shamed-Some-In-the-Media

Marlon (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:36 AM)

I totally agree with you BL and Nash. The party of NO is dying a slow death. Bummer is we have to watch it. Here's hoping someone from that party will smarten up and realize they are sinking.
cindy, las vegas, nv

Sure. That's why the GOP is polling so well in all these upcoming elections.

Jenny - Red Wing MN (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:36 AM)

Pat, Boston, MA: '...Here's what I think. If President Obama can't get the public option, then he shouldn't sign the legislation. Try again next year and the year after...'

NO !!
Please, NO !!

Take your losses
Lick your wounds
LEARN from your mistakes

Mistake #1: Bi-Partisanship
Mistake #2: Not Calling out LIARS
Mistake #3: Not declaring your minimal requirements from the start (including the Public Option)

Republicans always wanted to delay or cripple HCR
Let's take what we can get and try for the Public Option next year ofr the year after

Can't win 'em all
Now you know there are snakes in the grass

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:37 AM)

The truth is repubs didn't win in November and they are obviously not the ones to speak for the majority of Americans. Grassley is precisely what he appears to be, one of the crabby old men who needs desparately to be replaced with younger more clear thinking people who have the best interest of this country in their hearts and heads, and not the old partisan view of the world that should have passed away long ago. Let's move America forward by making every attempt to insure that no congress person serves more than 2 terms. That way, all these crazy old coots would not be able to hold what we want them to do hostage because of old jealousies and pure stubborness. I want my country back too, where the majority ruled, and all of this foolishness did not divide us into the hateful mobs that are constantly being shown on cable news in particular.

Shirley, Atlanta, Ga (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:40 AM)

Why would the dems make all these concessions to water down the bill when ultimately Republicans will vote against it (see stimulus). The dems need the courage to take sole ownership of health insurance reform even if it exposes them politically. Anything less is a gutless defense of the status quo.

When 46% of the people voted to make Palin one heartbeat from leader of the free world - of course you're going to have some old angry white folks at town meetings, but let's not get distracted by that, and let's not forget 54% voted for Obama precisley to have this fight.

I may not be shouting at any town halls with a hitler sign - but I'm watching closely.

Reconciliation is the proper path toward good policy.

The dems need to keep pretending to listen to republicans while the republicans keep pretending to help on this issue.

Let's have a real debate folks.

Achilles,

Las Vegas, NV

Achilles, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:42 AM)

"Obama has choosen to ignore Republicans" - TJ, where do you get your information?!?
If the president had ignored the rep's then the recovery act would have been stronger and more meaningful and we would not now be worrying about whether or not we get the public option. Instead, we he would be twisting blue dog arms for single payer.

rick in savannah (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:43 AM)

If you had taken Millions over the last few years (Like Grassley you would protect your sugar daddy to.See the republiklans have been trying to do there best to kill health care,there interest are not with the people but the bottem line for there sugar daddys.See in Iowa it's easier to take big money from anyone that will give it to you.That way you don't
have to campaign for it,or ask the people for tens and twenty's.Grass man is doing what he has been told to do,see,sugar don;t want health care,so Grass man don;t want health care.This barn yard bozo has got to go home and retire to his Chicken farm and count his insurance millions.

jesse St Paul MN (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:43 AM)

For those who need to see the options that federal employees have for health care, here is a website.

http://www.opm.gov/INSURE/HEALTH/

In columns where you see Government pays this is "employer column". While the US taxpayer pays all wages of federal employees - the employee does pay a portion of the cost (approx 1/3) health care premium.
I know this is similar to my cost ratio with my employer. The difference is that they (federal) have a much larger pool to spread the cost of premiums.

OBwan, IN (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:44 AM)

It truly is a sad day when a Senator can openly set aside his own up-close and detailed knowledge of a bill to say that if he can't sell it to 'other' Republicans that he won't sign-off on it.

The question that is begged then is, 'who is the real Republican, Grassly, who can look at the bill and says it passes the test or the 'other' Republicans who won't accept the explaination of the ranking Republican on the Committee writing the bill?'

To openly hear a Senator say that he is negotiating for Republicans should be a hard slap in the face to the constituents of that Senator's State. Talk about a drone!

Allen - Omaha, NE (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:48 AM)

My spineless Party better get their act together and shove the HCR down the RepubliKLANS collective lying ass@^^!

ENOUGH!

Get on with the work of the Majority of thinking Americans. The Low-Informed, ignorant will thank us later!

Pass HCR NOW!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:49 AM)

Since no GOP support is required to pass health care, it would appear to be a moot point what's important to Grassley. However, it gives liberals someone to blame, since their own leadership is clearly too weak to pass health care 'reform.'

Let's review, one more time: no Republican votes are required to pass a health care plan. Why don't the Dems just do it if they really believe in it?

Elizabeth, Short Pump VA (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:51 AM)

Ah, so it's not a lie - the republicans put party and his insurance donors above country - it's been obvious to many, but it's nice to hear him state it so plainly. He's a lying hypocrit and announced it publicly.

Jilli - Houston, TX (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:54 AM)

What more needs to be said? For Grassley, this isn't about country, his state, or the difference between right and wrong. This is about Republicans. Plain and simple. All of you who have voted for him in the past ought to be outraged that he cares so little for you, but the Republican label, as tarnished as it is, only. Those of you who have voted for his opponent can see how little you matter.

newdayDAWNING (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:55 AM)

I just hope Obama heard this so he can tell Max baucus to just get the bill out of finance and then tell Harry reid to tell the dems to let him know who is going to vote for the public option. If it's 51 then just go for reconciliation and move on. The time has come to tell the republicans to either get out of the way or get run over. Healthcare Reform is happening whether they like it or not.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:56 AM)

In other words the party of nopes and dopes would rather crater any hope of reform rather than negotiate with the black dude. I understand the southern ignorant trash that surrounds me but I can't understand why grasley is such a dope.

Rick, NC (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 11:58 AM)

Bipartisanship is dead.

Mark (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:01 PM)

When will the dimocrat leadership grow some stones and stop trying to play nice with the G-no-P.

Thye don't want to compromise, they want to kill reform so they can score political points, just look at the jugheads on here.

It is a shame that those on the right who are sucking the life out of their employer or the taxpayers with their near free heavily subsidized healthcare think it will never end.

Trust me, in five years most of you socialist worker drones and retirees will not have cheap insurance on the backs of the rest of us.

Capt. Smashmouth (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:04 PM)

So this is how it goes---

Republicans and industry lobbyists tell their "people" that the reform is socialist, Nazi, will kill old people, will ruin the country and civilaztion as we know it then they won't vote for the bill because their people don't want it.

Follow the story lines back to the real leaders here.

Gloria, WPB (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:11 PM)

Well, well, well, I see J. Merle (Mr.Real Democrat himself) still has'nt figured out That Hillary lost the Democratic primary. Reminds me of the Japanese who did'nt know that WW11 was Over until several years after the fact.

Can someone tell me what's in Pig manure that makes Grassley continuosly change his Mind.Does it speed up Dementia, or AlLtimer's to a point that 76 yearold men can't remember just 5 years ago. Is it worse than Sniffing Paint?

NBNJ just can't seem to get anyone to listen to his Rambling Nonsense about what President Obama should & should'nt do.

Little Dick out in Washington State still sniffing limbaugh's gas, as it shows in his latest attempt to tie Olberman in with Limbaugh asperations of being an Influencel Republican.

Why does the RightWing Taliban hide behind silly little childish names like Moondawg, Whatusellin,bad moon rising & my personal favorite Petroleum ,etc,etc,etc. You'd think that actually putting your name behind your post, might give it More Credence.

Given Hell President Obama, makem scream, holler,to the Point we continue to see the Ignorance of the Opposition.

Rick,Ky (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:12 PM)

Hey, Ron, Indiana- you out there this morning?
I just moved back to Iowa after 25 years in Indiana. I know you are not completely proud of Evan and his lovely wife Susan, but how'd you like to have a dimwitt like Grassley representing (or not) you??

Go Colts!

Buzz (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:13 PM)

"In columns where you see Government pays this is "employer column". While the US taxpayer pays all wages of federal employees - the employee does pay a portion of the cost (approx 1/3) health care premium.
I know this is similar to my cost ratio with my employer. The difference is that they (federal) have a much larger pool to spread the cost of premiums"
And this is exactly why we need the public option, and why the insurance companies must make all policies affordable and available to each and every citizen (yep, I'm serious here -citizen) of the USA. If the premiums are reasonable and affordable, everyone will purchase the insurance - should be a no brainer for the insurance industry, unfortunately, they have gone way beyond capitalism, on to the eternal life of greed. A larger insurance pool is supposed to make cheaper premiums, lower deductibles, and lower co-pays, guess what, i work for the 2nd largest employer in my state - and they go up on our premiums, deductibles, and co-pays every year! Something is just not right with this picture, and I almost lost it over the weekend when one republican comentator made the mention that "if you can't afford a hummer, don't buy one, and if you can't afford health insurance, don't seek medical care". When the corrspondent tried to back him in a corner all he could do was flabergaster around and look even dumber than he already looked. wonder how he would feel if that were his wife, sister, mother, brother, father or child who could not get health insurance? The enemy is not the doctor or the patient, or the care, the enemy is the health insurance industry and anyone who does not realize that must be employed by those thugs.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:16 PM)

BoBO finally learned that he represents Americans rather than liberals when dropping the public option. Glad BOBO's crybaby tour is almost over so he can go suck his thumb on Martha's Vineyard for a week.

MB, Valpo (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:18 PM)

I'm thinking Obama would sacrifice a public option for GOP votes. Given that it adds to the bills cost as well. But only if co-opts took it's place. I'm thinking this is where the bill is going. It'd def put the House Dems in a huge bind..kill reform for a bi-partisan bill with no public option but a co-op? They would concede and It'd be a political boon for Obama and the GOP....not so much for House Dems. But I'm certain the GOP can't even give Obama that because the foxes run the hen house. I think they will vote against ANY bill because the leaderless far-right is rabid anti-Obama. Just go full steam with the public option, hold the Blue Dogs, and bring along Snowe and Collins.

CJ (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:21 PM)

Grassley looked like a trapped manimal in his Iowa town hall meeting. He was working off notes and still pandering to the crowd; trying hard to find which way they were running so he could get in front and lead them. This traumatized Chuck Grassley is a sad creature, fearful of his own constituents, fearful of losing the next Republican primary. Grassley, who has great respect among Senators of both both parties on health care policy is now entering that stage of political death where he is attempting to negotiate his way out of mortal danger.
Grassley's vote against Sotomayor was a signal of his fear of survival. It was the first Supreme Court nominee he had ever voted against. Color this once outstanding Senator irrelevant. He should be left where he has chosen to stand, nothing but a politician.
I've never been a big fan of Arlen Spector, but he was certainly not frightened during his town hall meltdown. Spector stood eye-to-eye with the mob and gave as good as he got, while showing more respect to his constituents than they showed toward him.

Emptyk Austin,TX (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:22 PM)

LMAO bring out the democrud mascot.. the crying baby.
Hey Chuck when u being replaced by Chip Reid..a real journalist
Spammed emails?..anyone ..anyone?

LMAO@msnbc (Sent Monday, August 17, 2009 12:24 PM)

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