GOP ad hits Obama on health care

Posted: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:50 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans, Economy, Ads

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
In advance of President Obama's televised town hall tomorrow on health care, the Republican National Committee is airing a new 60-second TV ad that criticizes Obama's plans to overhaul the system.

Per the RNC, the ad will air on "select national cable outlets." An RNC spokeswoman wouldn't disclose the size of the ad buy, but said it was neither small nor large.

Script:
"Today a national TV network turns its airwaves over to President Obama's pitch for government-run health care."
"Shouldn't this be a bipartisan discussion?"
"Republicans want health care reform that reduces costs across the board."
"Republicans believe every single American deserves quality health care."
"Republicans also believe another government takeover would diminish health care choice and quality."
"President Obama talks about a "public option." When he says "public option", that means putting government bureaucrats in charge…instead of patients and their doctors."
"It's a bad idea."
"Republicans want bipartisan health care reform - a responsible plan that we can afford, where people are free to choose the best care for their families - without a government takeover."
"Tell President Obama to work with Republicans…and to stop rushing into another government takeover."
"The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Republicans want money, nothing less. Lying hypocrits! Of course the MSM will push their line of BS, they are owned by 5 Republican led corporations after all. FR is not much better.

Don in LA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:56 PM)

Health care reform without a public option is not reform at all. They know this, but they are in the pocket of the Insurance Cos. and the MD Lobby (AMA)

Since the public favors the pulbli option by over 70%, the headline should have been. "GOP takes swing at Obama" (swing and a miss!)

Keep on pushing for change!

Ed, FW, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:56 PM)

Biden said last week that "We all got it wrong!" when talking about the lack of jobs from the stimulus bill rammed through Congress last February.

Now Obama is trying to ram health care through Congress. What's to say that we won't hear Biden saying "We all got it wrong again!" in six months?

And btw, Obama is thinking about a second stimulus bill. Fool us once, your bad.

Fool Us Twice - Our Bad (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:58 PM)

FR: An RNC spokeswoman wouldn't disclose the size of the ad buy, but said it was neither small nor large.

It was just right.

Goldilocks (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:58 PM)

2-0

As opposed to having insurance bean-counters in charge? Should we have insurance businesses making those decisions or government which has legal standards it has to abide by, not profit. What exactly is going to be the difference? Let's be clear here - people making these decisions are NOT out of work and don't know what that may entail medically.

Kay P Tempe AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:58 PM)

This will only air on Fox so they can ensure positive feedback...

ujw, ny (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:58 PM)

Republicans want to say, "No"
Republicans want the Insurance industry to profit at the expense of the health of the nation
Republicans want to line their coffers with Insurance PAC & Lobby money
Republicans want the status quo
Republicans want the hard problems to just disappear
Republicans accept no responsibility for having government control for six of the previous eight years essentially telling the working class, "tough sh!t, you are on your own"
Republicans want you to not look backward and to trust them this time
Republicans can suck it, they lost, we won - Game, Set, Match!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:59 PM)

3-0
PS - Doctors haven't been in charge for a good long time, or they wouldn't spend hours on the phone with insurance carriers - so this ad is blatantly misleading.

Kay P Tempe AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:59 PM)

It's disgusting how the President and the media are teaming up to manipulate the public. I want to hear all ideas about how to reduce the cost of health care. But instead, I'm only going to get the presentation by an President that has very little experience in anything other than campaigning

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:59 PM)

The current working numbers are $1 trillion dolars to cover 16 million of the 50 million uninsured in the country. No universal coverage to a trillion dollars? We'll be looking at around $2.5 trillion for universal coverage.

Just who is Obama going to tax to get that kind of money for either plan?

TR Bailes (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:00 PM)

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
In advance of President Obama's televised town hall tomorrow on health care, the Republican National Committee is airing a new 60-second TV ad that criticizes Obama's plans to overhaul the system.

Comical, just plain comical. They wont put a dent in the poll numbers. They are liars that can't be trusted. What was their plan again...yea, that right nothing! That need to first become credible again. lol, lol, lol

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:01 PM)

Why should anyone listen to or care what these hypocritical, inadequate, irresponsible republicans have to say?? Their goal in trying to make our president fail and in the process our country have backfired on them as the American people support the health care reform, public option and our president.
They nearly destroyed our country these last eight years and now they are "experts" on everything?
Just keep self destructing GOP as it could not happen to any more deserving people.

katiec (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:01 PM)

The Repukes are the ones who are not willing to work with the others. They want their plan only, no other option. This ad is a joke because so far they have done nothing but say NO! Repukes are the Anti to American!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:04 PM)

The Dopes of Nope sure have their 'knickers'in a knot today now don't they?

It's time for the male - stale & pale party to put on their big boy panties and deal with it!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:04 PM)

The GOP – a party that puts more value on themselves and their rich friends and lobbyists - rather than where the true value belongs – on the health, education and welfare of all children in the United States. Not just some children. All children.

They don't know the meaning of the word "bipartisan". If anyone should go without healthcare, it's these people.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:05 PM)

Someone cue the scary music.

Scare the gullible masses. That's pretty much what the Generally Obsolete and Pathetic party has now. 75% of the country favor a public option and most are willing to pay for it. This is one where the Democrats and Obama should screw the bi-partisanship and ram it down the Republican's throat. They have the numbers and the backing. JUST DO THE DAMN THING!

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:06 PM)

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:08 PM)

Why would the RNC run this add, they have no credibility, look at the loser they have running the RNC, the token black man that is a joke, no one is buying what they are selling except for the insurance lobbyist.

MK,MO (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:09 PM)

Feisty, They are attempting to sell wolf tickets..., but we'll buy eveyone from them! lol they are truly a joke!!

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:10 PM)

"...that means putting government bureaucrats in charge…instead of patients and their doctors."
"It's a bad idea.""

Uh-huh. Kinda like the "bad idea" we've had for the last 60 years, that's put insurance company EXECUTIVES and ACCOUNTANTS in-between the patient and doctors.

Interestingly, seniors LIKE Medicare. Why NOT do a public option like Medicare for the rest of us?

""Republicans want bipartisan health care reform - a responsible plan that we can afford, where people are free to choose the best care for their families - without a government takeover."

LIARS! You have EIGHT YEARS to get that done, and did NOTHING - I repeat - NOTHING to fix health care for Americans. Democrats are not "rushing" you. You're just feeling like being rushed because of your FEET DRAGGING.

Dave - Chicago IL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:10 PM)

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:59 PM)
Right On!

And one more:
The republicans tell you health care decisions should be between you and your doctor. But that is only true if you are wealthy and can afford to pay for it out of your own pocket or can afford a "gold plated" insurance policy. Otherwise, what they really want, is for health care decisions to be made between an insurance company and its overpaid directors and executives!

Chris - IL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:11 PM)

I guess it taking this country [at least the last] 40 years to get to this point is a rush job. Stop the politicking and solve the problem. The American people want solutions not another stalemate. –Lee

Lee-- Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:13 PM)

LOL, this statement just sealed their fate!

"Tell President Obama to work with Republicans…and to stop rushing into another government takeover."

LOL, LOL, LOL the party of NO??

"The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."

They are truly a bunch of liars and fakes...this is too funny.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:13 PM)

Can't wait to hear Keith Olbermann on this one, he will definately have fabulous things to say about the stupid republicans. I'm finding hard to like even one republican anymore all the way down the chain and that's sad. Growing up in a republican household and being an adult now I love to watch my republican parents wonder why they were and are republicans who voted for obama, now I see and know why. Idiots thank god my parents have brains.

faithful democrat with brains (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:13 PM)

The system as it is now is perfect in the eyes of the RNC because they all have Government Sponsored Health Insurance! Isn't that a kick in the rubber parts!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:14 PM)

This is just more proof that the Republicans are in the pocket of the very wealthy health care industry. A government option is NOT a take over of all health care. They can't argue their position based on merit, so they have to lie and exaggerate about the opposition.

Americans, if you REALLY want to see reform, we all have to donate some time to the cause. If you don't have time, donate money. The medical lobbying groups (drug & insurance companies,etc.) are sooooo wealthy, and they will be putting all of their power and money towards slandering any competition. We need to get the facts out there!

Chandler, Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:14 PM)

Can you put a price on the lives of a third of your citizens? The repubs certainly had no problem with money funnelling to their private military contractors and spending billions in a war that kills tens of thousands.

Don't fall for again America.

DS7 (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:18 PM)

Lee-- Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:18 PM)

Republicans want money, nothing less. Lying hypocrits! Of course the MSM will push their line of BS, they are owned by 5 Republican led corporations after all. FR is not much better.
Don in LA

How's giving away all that free stuff worked out for you folks in California? Budget balanced is it? Things going smoothly in your state government?

Ted in Colorado (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:18 PM)

Ok it looks like the lefties are still trotting out that bogus CBS News / NYT poll. You know the one where that magic 75% favors a public option. The one that sampled Obama voters at more than a 2-1 margin over McCain voters. So any of you ready to own up to the fact that that poll is hopelessly skewed. The election was 53-47 right?

Dookie (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:20 PM)

jawillie - Scare the gullible masses. That's pretty much what the Generally Obsolete and Pathetic party has now. 75% of the country favor a public option and most are willing to pay for it.

Lies. There is less interest in the government takeover of health care today then there was when Clinton was trying to do the same in the '90s.

HMI - MI (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:20 PM)

Who pays liberal whack jobs? Who pays?

Answer the Question (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:21 PM)

Ooooohhh those GEENOPEER'S are just so... so...

MAVERICKY!

Especially their Naked Governor! What a rebel without a cause!

You Betcha! Dontchs know also and too...

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:22 PM)

Why no tort reform in the health care bill?

Larry the Lawyer (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:25 PM)

Roughly one third of Americans already use government-run health insurance called Medicare and Medicaid. Although the GzeroP doesn't ever want to talk about this, don't you think that if one-in-three of your fellow citizens have Washington bureaucrats making their every health care decision, somebody would have heard about it by now?

JC from IA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:26 PM)

Broke Taxpayers (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:26 PM)

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

Obama has stated time and again that people can keep their current plans and current doctors but the GOP keep putting out these lies and the media doesn't call them on it.

It's time to stand up for what we believe in and steamroll this pathetic bunch of creeps.

Chris (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:27 PM)

Ooooohhh those GEENOPEER'S are just so... so...

MAVERICKY!

Especially their Naked Governor! What a rebel without a cause!

You Betcha! Dontcha know also and too...

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:28 PM)

Obama needs to be hit on everything else too, not just health care.

He's special .. in his own eyes.

Monkberry Moon (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:28 PM)

So they want our CIC to work with them, meanwhile they are all out there bashing him! This is hypocrisy at it's finest people. Screw bi-partisian ship. The Repugs need to get out of the problem (party of no) and into the solution.
cindy, las vegas, nv

There is no working with Obama. The mans ego prevents him from being dealt with. Barry will watch as his signature plan goes down in flames.

Mike T., Iowa (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:28 PM)

Patients and their doctors are not in charge of health care now! Take a look at the last series of diagnostic tests your doctor ordered for you that your insurance company denied.

Mary, Ada, OK (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:31 PM)

And what exactly is the RNC's plan for health care?...just what I expected, nothing.

The republicans have complained about everything since the election - I've stopped listening and will continue to do so until they have something worthwhile to contribute - whining and complaining is not constructive, it's just white noise at this point.

They're looking out for their personal electability and the interests of the insurance lobbyists. I welcome the government option over for-profit insurance companies - I already pay too much and am restricted in my treatment and diagnostic options. Bring on the competition.

RNC - lead follow or get out of the way. I don't think they could get any more tone-deaf if they tried.

Jilli, Houston, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:31 PM)

I like political ads and issue ads, no matter which side is airing them. The challenge of these things is to press the right buttons and persuade the viewer of the rightousness of your message in a very short 30 or 60 second timeframe. I'll leave it to the left wing whack jobs around here to criticize how 'misleading' this ad is. My take is whether or not the ad will be effective.

1. "...reduces costs across the board." That's a winner, particularly since the plans being discussed by Congress seem to be focusing more on extending coverage to the uninsured rather than reducing costs.

2. "...another government takeover..." Yeah I know lots of you lefties will say this is trash talk, but this is a hot button and likely to make folks think twice about what Obama and Congress are up to. And the ad uses this phrase three times. A winner.

3. "...putting government beaucrats in charge..." another hot button phrase and strategically placed in juxtaposition to the phrase 'public option' that polls say is so popular. The Repubs are firing back on that one.

4. "...a responsible plan we can afford..." another winner, strikes directly at the huge cost estimates that have been unnerving people.

5. "...stop rushing..." another good punch, plays on peoples concerns that health care 'reform' is something that should be approached thoughtfully and deliberately rather than jammed through because the politics may be right.

6. Unfortunately, the ad uses the word 'Republican' waaaayyyyyy too much. At a time when identification with the Republican party is low and the message of the party (whatever it may be these days) has lost credibility, it doesn't make a lot of sense to me to pound on that brand name over and over in the ad. Dumb and dumber. So despite the many good things in the ad, I think the repeated use of the word "Republican" is the kiss of death and most folks will tune out just because of that.

Bill, airfax, VA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:32 PM)

The republican ad does not dare to say that they want the insurance companies to be in control of our health care system. Instead they use doctors and nurses name to mislead american peoples. This is so twisted. I'll never vote for a republican again.

Ryan, Orange, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:35 PM)

Chris - Disgusting, absolutely disgusting.

Obama has stated time and again that people can keep their current plans and current doctors but the GOP keep putting out these lies and the media doesn't call them on it.

Lies. And more lies. Insurance companies must make money to survive. If the government plans are failing, that's all the government has to do is print more money. It's not even close to be fair.

Anne Holscroft, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:37 PM)

If the GOP had such a great plan, where were they for the past eight years? Give me a break!

Laura, Matthews, NC (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:37 PM)

And we tried to be bipartisan with the Democrats and also, don't ya know. lol, lol, lol

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:40 PM)

Eric, for once I would like you to tell us where the money is going to come from that BoBo wants to spend. all of you just want bills passed with no detialsfor how we will pay for it. The GOP resists because they know we can't pay for it. Even BoBo admits were out of money and still wants to spend 1.6 trillion to cover only 33% of the uninsured. Macain had a plan that would cover 25% at no cost and that one is sittng in the trash can because it is GOP. If BoBo came up with it, it would pass but it doesn't spend enough money so it is thrown out . 25% for nothing is a start that is better than 33% for 1.6 trillion don't you think. The problem is you live off government handouts so you have no concept of value. That alone disqualifies any comments you may have regarding the GOP. MB, Valpo (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 3:45 PM)
---------------------------------------------------

Maybe he'll go to the bank that paid for the 1.5 trillion dollar halliburton war in Iraq...the same place they got the money for 2.5 trillion in tax cuts...and also the same place they spent 1 trillion in medicade drug care coverage (cheney's heart pills must be pricey) in 2007.

160 billion a year for the freedom to get away from insurance companies is well spent. I don't want some CEO's trip to french polynesia taking precedence over me needing to go underneath the knife someday.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:42 PM)

I'm not sure where Republicans have been for the past two decades, but CHOICE went out the window the moment HMO's became the cheapest insurance employers could buy.

I have a relative who had worked over 26 years for the same company (he was laid off this past Dec), and during the last 5 years of his employment, his company switched insurance companies 5 times in search of cutting cost.

Each was worse than its predecessor: higher co-pay, fewer physician choices, and outlandish drug cost and processing... the last insurance company required all regularly prescribed drugs be ordered in ADVANCE, in BULK and entirely through the MAIL.

And this is the NORM, NOT THE EXCEPTION.

So is the long long wait for doctor appointments & exams. Or the even longer wait once the appointment is set and you arrive there.

If Republicans doubt this, then perhaps they would voluntarily give up the gold standard insurance we tax payers provide them, and insure with those companies they are so set upon PROTECTING.

Surely if they're GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE REST OF AMERICA, they're GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR CONGRESS.

Linda, Montgomery, AL (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:42 PM)

Republicans opposed ALL health care reform in the 90's.

From 2001-2006 Republicans controlled the White House and Congress, but never once proposed any legislation on the subject.

Clearly the Republicans want no health care changes otherwise they would have proposed some legislation during the last 16 years.

Dan, WI (Sent Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:45 PM)

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