Is George Voinovich going to screw the GOP on health care? Updated: Auto bailout crusader meets with Spender-in-Chief to discuss national debt
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Sorry, I couldn’t word it any more politely than that. But the very prospect of GOP Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio bailing on his party to cast a swan song 60th vote for the government health care takeover bill makes me want to spit nails.
Voinovich is meeting with President Obama at 11:30am Eastern today in the Oval Office.
Nate Nelson at the Rust Belt blog notes that since Voinovich has already announced his retirement, he has nothing to lose. He’s infamous for turning into a blubbering mass on the Senate floor — while crusading for the illegal alien amnesty and voting against U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, for example. Remember this infamy?
In a recent piece on the Demcare bill, Voinovich says he’s worried about America’s exploding debt. But he led the drive for the massive auto bailout.
Will Voinovich sell out his constituents (and the country) for the legacy impulse?
He needs to hear from you. Here’s Nate Nelson’s message:
Dear Sen. Voinovich, I just wanted to call and let you know that I don’t think fifteen Ohio University College Republicans drove all the way to Massachusetts over the weekend to fight to elect Scott Brown the 41st vote against ObamaCare just to see their Republican senator become the 60th vote for ObamaCare. K thanks bye.
Washington, D.C. Office:
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Main: (202) 224-3353
Cleveland, OH Office:
1240 East 9th Street
Room 3061
Cleveland, OH 44199
Main: (216) 522-7095
Fax: (216) 522-7097
Southeast, OH Office:
78 West Washington Street
P.O. Box 57
Nelsonville, OH 45764
Main: (740) 441-6410
Fax: (740) 753-3551
Cincinnati, OH Office:
36 East 7th Street
Room 2615
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Main: (513) 684-3265
Fax: (513) 684-3269
Northeast, OH Office:
1240 East 9th Street
Room 3061
Cleveland, OH 44199
Main: (216) 522-7095
Fax: (216) 522-7097
Toledo, OH Office:
420 Madison Avenue
Room 1210
Toledo, OH 43604
Main: (419) 259-3895
Fax: (419) 259-3899
Dayton, OH Office:
(Based out of Cincinnati)
36 East 7th Street, Room 2615
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Main: (513) 684-3265
Fax: (513) 684-3269
Central, OH Office:
37 West Broad Street
Room 310
Columbus, OH 43215
Main: (614) 469-6697
Fax: (614) 469-7733
***
Update: Readers who have reached Voinovich’s staff says he remains opposed to the health care bill. Philip Klein sends along Voinovich’s statement from last month opposing Demcare.
We’ll see what he says after the 11:30am meeting in the Oval Office.
In any case, it never hurts to make a reinforcing phone call.
Klein thinks the meeting will be about the national debt.
Confirmed, via The Hill:
Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) will talk deficits and debt when he meets with President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
The retiring Ohio senator will meet with the president in the Oval Office this morning, which sparked some concern from conservatives that the senator, who’s previously broken with his party on some issues, might be subject to entreaties on healthcare.
“Senator Voinovich’s statement after his last vote against the partisan health care reform bill speaks for itself and his stance has not changed,” Voinovich spokesman Garrette Silverman said.
The meeting, rather, will include discussions of the rising national debt and the long-term fiscal course of the country.
Perfect: The Republican who spearheaded the auto bailout will “solve” the debt explosion with the Democrat spender-in-chief.
God save us from bipartisanship.
***
Update: Voinovich says after his meeting today: “I am not a vote for the health care bill, period.”
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This is what I’ve been afraid of. Even if Brown wins, you’ve still got him plus the Maine twins that could easily be bought off to support it.
Here I was all jazzed about Scott Brown, then I read this. Man, is it too much to ask for just one day to feel good?
Look, it’s a done deal. it doesn’t matter what the people want. The fix is in. The people who write the laws don’t care to follow them.
Coakley is going to win in MA. Voinovich just wants a special tour of the White House. None of them are important until they make people mad. Just because he’s meeting with Obama doesn’t mean he’s going to change his vote.
I’m expecting D’s to take a long and hard look at this vote after the MA election no matter who wins. They have to know that their record shows that they cut Medicare and raised taxes.
this is why the conservatives need to lead the party. elect tea party endorsed congresscritters only. let the people decide instead of these holier (and smarter) than thou rinos and dems.
This bum is the Charley Crist of Ohio politics.
Are you freakin kidding me??? One RINO vote could ruin it all? Please tell me this isn’t happening! What could Obomba possibly offer this man to cause him to become a traitor? How many pieces of silver would he be willing to accept to give up his integrity? Or maybe there was no integrity to start with. I wonder if there might even be THREATS involved. That is entirely possible.
Again, A bunch of little snots occupying positions in our government that will throw/pull a destructive tantrum simply because they want too without regard to anyone they are elected to represent. We are going to see more and more of this.
Our representatives would honestly just ignore the will of the people so clearly stated in blue Mass.??? They would choose party politics over their constituents?
Wow, if that is so, we REALLY have a disconnect in our democracy!
If he so worried about his kids and grankids then voting for Obamacare is the totally wrong way to do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They all love spending other peoples’ money. Understand that none of the senators are going to lose anything from this vote. They all have lifelong pensions that we’ll all pay for until they all die.
They want to spend money. They want to spend other peoples’ money. That’s what they do. They don’t care where it comes from or even if it comes from somewhere. . . they are only programmed to spend.
I think this summer is going to be incredibly HOT and not because of globull warming. The tea party protesters will be out in full force and will not be ignored any longer…count on it!
If Voinovich does this, there will not be one RINO who will survive in the Republican party.
Do they not understand what a MA with a Democrat edge of 3-1 going with a Republican means? Do they not see what NY-23 meant?
Beltway stupidity could prove to be professionally lethal for these idiots.
And they’ve exempted themselves from Obamacare.
Re-Elect No One 2010, 2012.
I’m sure Michael Steele is all over it.
I think not……
Thanks Phil, for allowing my coffee to shoot out my nose….
When you come to DC, remember the most important unwritten rule in DC:
When taking the Metro escalators, stand to the right and let people walk to the left!
I guarantee that if all tea partiers did this, you would pick up at least a few grateful supporters among the DC crowd that hates when their clear path to work is blocked by loitering tourists.
It’s like I’ve been saying. Once we eliminate the “veto-proof” Dem advantage, we’ll be right back to the days of the “Gangs of McCain”. The GOP is worse than the Dems.
I think Scott Brown will win and I think at least one degenerate republican will turn on us again. There is an endless supply of these scum. The more damage Maobama does with his health care and vindictive spending the more angry the public will grow. Change will happen. I just don’t think it will happen until we are looking at 60-80 percent unemployment. People are selfish. They wont care until it hits them hard personally.
I have learned not to drink coffee or anything else while reading these posts! They are so unpredictable and really really priceless. You guys make my day.
The belief that Reid and Obama couldn’t possibly bribe one other GOP Senator is silly at the very least. Frankly, I am surprised Snowe and Collins were kept in line this long.
There isn’t enough steel in the backbones of GOP Senators to build a paperclip. Don’t expect any real stamina from these guys when the wind starts to blow.
And get serious! Who remembers a Senator 10 years after they retired from the Senate? There is no such thing as a “legacy” for Senators. They are remembered for driving girls off bridges or building bridges to nowhere. But nobody cares what “monumental legislation” they co-sponsored 5 years later! What a joke.
FIFY.
If the Bill goes thru, Tea Party, clean off the “National Tax Strike” signs.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
Voinovich has always been semi trustworthy.
He is a bone head who doesn’t have a clue about anything.
Nothing this scum bag would do could surprise older Ohio voters.
Yeah. I mean who has ever heard of a Roth IRA or this obscure little thing called a Pell Grant?
There, in a nutshell, is one of the problems we have that is destroying our wonderful nation.
There is too much “legislation” being passed.
For our nation to survive, we will likely need huge, qualitative changes in how Congress and the courts act.
Golly, I hope not.
Aren’t there steps?
Vive la America!
Rahm: Oh hi George, come on in. Here, walk with me, I want to show you where Lincoln slept.
Actually, not very often.
Those were named after congresscritters?
Does anyone care?
This kind of stuff was predictable and demonstartes Snow and Collins are not the only likely targets of Obama.
This guy would not be selling out his party but his country.
No doubt Pell and Roth did. I am sure we can find something in the bill to name after Voinovich in exchange for his vote.
Maybe the “Voinovich End of Life Care Panel”?”
Dang! I thought this crybaby got replaced some time after he whined about the SCOTUS hearings. What a disappointment!
Better to show him whose chair from Ford Theater.
James Greenidge
Queens NY
RINOS.
A third party is not a viable option AT THIS TIME.
It may become one in the next couple of years, it seems more plausible (or at least less ridiculous) with each passing month.
The GOP displaced the Whig Party to become a major party. It is not impossible for it to happen again. The elephants should not take it lightly.
I liked George when he was our Governor, and had high hopes when he replaced John Glenn as our Senator. Sadly, though, he’s developed a case of linguini spine over the years.
If he gives in to the pressure he’s getting in DC, I will be saddened, but not surprised.
Oh yeah. You mean David Lee Roth, and Charlie Pell? I remember them.
“Term limits” is the cure for linguini spine.
Well, I wonder what the czar title dear george will get from this bho to vote for the horrible bill?
L
He doesn’t have the cojones.
Besides, he has no time for such matters because of his book tour.
I live in NE Ohio. His Cleveland staffers are quick to say Voinovich is not meeting with Obama about health care, & that he still opposes it. His DC office’s phones are being deluged. I got a “your call is important” recording while I waited, & the staffer was even quicker than her Cleveland counterpart to deny any sellout.
I don’t trust RINOvich. Keep calling. Keep the pressure on. Remind him how Ben Nelson was treated in that pizza joint back home.
I suspect Barry will try to buy him off, like Landrieu and Nelson. We’ll see.
Or perhaps more to the point, the “Voinovich Compulsory Colonoscopy Council?”
What was that Star Trek episode where world war is fought by computers. Those in kill zones were required to voluntarily submit themselves at Execution Centers. Maybe George should volunteer. That would qualify as a legacy. Obama could postumously award him the Presidential MOF.
Come on, Happy – we’re talking politicians (lawyers) here. Integrity is not in the lexicon.
Rahm Santoro: Give me your vote or give me the name of someone who will!
Rahm Santoro: Listen to me George. I got your head in a f@#$%n’ vise. I’ll squash your head like a f@#$%n’ grapefruit if you don’t give me a name. Don’t make me have to do this, please. Don’t make me be a bad guy, come on.
George Dogs: F@#$ you.
Rahm Santoro: This m@#$%^&&r, you believe this? Two f@#$%^g days and nights! F#$% me? *F#$k me?* You m@#$%^%$#@r!
[turning the crank]
Rahm Santoro: Give me the f@#$%n’ name!
George Dogs: Ch-Charlie M.
Rahm Santoro: Charlie M?
George Dogs: Charlie M.
Rahm Santoro: Charlie M? You made me pop your f@#$%n’ eye out of your head to protect that piece of s#$t? Charlie M? You dumb m@#$%^%$#@r!
George Dogs: Kill me.
Rahm Santoro: I’ll kill you. You m@#$%^&^%$#@r you! Frankie, do him a f@#$%^n’ favor.
No #46
Don’t see this happen very often here.
Hummmmm
Big Brother?
Big Sister?
Terms Of Use violation?
At least as long as the definition of bipartisanship is giving in to the democrats.
It wouldn’t be so bad if so many Republicans didn’t believe the definition and think it’s an honorable goal.
The GOP IS the 3rd party. Independents outnumber Dems AND Reps combined in MA. So what’s the lesson? Voters are rejecting both wings of the one-party system. The first thing everyone here who is a registered Republican or Democrat should do is re-register as unaffiliated independents right now. Do it now!
THAT is what makes the MA case for the surging political power of the Tea Party so clear. We don’t have to get bogged down in those insipid “nose-holder” arguments this time. There are no Republicans to even talk about in MA yet that is the state that provided the pivot point for the Tea Party with a liberal Republican candidate that the RNC refused to back. Think about that.
In MA, as angry as people are against the Dems, they are NOT choosing to become Republicans. THAT is the national story too and who would have guessed MA would be the one to redefine the national narrative? It’s all because independents outnumber Dems and Reps combined.
Do it. Re-register today.
Numbering glitch. It is happening on all the threads lately.
Yeah, thats just what I was thinking. This morning, my coffee tasted better and it felt warmer outside. In fact, today felt like Christmas morning, you got that skateboard you wanted but the wheel fell off.
To borrow the words of Stephen King SSDD
Voinovich and other RINO’s (McCain,etc), please keep your dang arms on your side of the aisle!
Bipartisan=no good ever comes of it
We are living in a nightmare.
Well, first things first! Let’s pray that Brown is elected and then let’s watch the DEMS start backing away from this enmasse. Sure, Voinovich might cave in because he’s retiring, but think of all the DEMS who Don’t want to retire.
Speaking of Michael Steele’s book, does anyone know where it ranks in sales? It isn’t in Amazon’s top 100 and is getting poor customer reviews. Sarah is still ranked #4 in non-fiction.
Sarbanes-Oxley
Smoot-Hawley
McCain-Feingold
Not all legacies are good.
I guarantee that 99% of college kids who have ever cashed a Pell Grant check have no idea who Claiborne Pell was. Maybe 10% of people with Roth IRAs know who William Roth was, maybe…
The fact that these narcissists name stuff after themselves doesn’t mean people know who they are 10 years later.
I mean nobody remembers this “Senator FICA” and his “legacy” shows up on every on of my paychecks!
We can’t take 60 for granted even f Brown wins. It only takes one to turn, and there are several who might be weak.
Even better examples, John Deaux.
Good point.
Former Ohio Senator John Glenn (whom Voinovich replaced) is remembered for going to the Moon, and for being the first geezer in space, but I couldn’t tell you any legislation he wrote.
Congressmen are remembered for personality, prior achievements, and/or for scandals, and little else.
And the fact that these people are narcissists means that they labor under the delusion that people actually WILL remember their legislative achievements.
WarEagle82 said:
Education now days – got to love it. With most core curriculums based on “feeling good about themselves” its a wonder most students today know they live in the United states.
Good point. The fact that people won’t really remember them doesn’t dissuade them from continuing to try to establish a “legacy”, real or imagined.
That is what you were saying, yes?
Politicians like Voinovich need to understand that their retirement doesn’t end their involvement with the public. Regardless of whether Voinovich pulls some type of stunt – gets a sweetheart deal or something else, he needs to be told in no uncertain terms that his retirement will be uncomfortable. In ancient Greece, people were shunned and banished for traitorous behavior that did not rise to the level of treason. We will need a similar approach for those who play the political game rather than support the America public.
Golly, I didn’t realize McCain or Feingold had left the Senate more than 10 years ago! Had I known I would have thrown a party!
As usual, Chappy misses the point…
I didn’t miss your point. Your point is, as usual, blindingly simplistic and wrong.
If you don’t believe Senators at least think they have a legacy and want to nurture that, then you clearly don’t know much about the type of person that runs for office.
And what really matters in the end, when they are proposing legislation or voting on it is that Senator’s perception of his legacy, not the reality of it.
No, once again you miss my point and you are too stupid to realize it even after several people point it out!
I never said I didn’t think these idiots think they have a “legacy!”
I said they don’t have a “legacy.”
Alas you are too stupid and too stuck on mindlessly rebutting posts to read their posts first.
What a putz! And that will be Chappy’s “legacy.”
He’s going to sell out for a cushy patronage job, and couldn’t care less what we think.
Another example that shows there’s no such thing as a moderate democrat or a moderate republican.
Again, simplistic.
First, your definition of “legacy” is trite: it apparently is not the act or its impact, but simply what people recall of who caused it. That does not comport with any definition I have ever seen, but feel free to cite one that supports you.
Second, even accepting your flawed definition, what of it? Reality is irrelevant in this case. Does the possibility that no one will remember that such and such Senator wrote this bill or voted for that one change the Senator’s perception that he will? If you thought about it for half a second, you would realize on what basis the Senator is making his decision.
WarEagle: The Platte River of the MM message board: a mile wide and a foot deep.
Oh, and who are these several people you contend agree with you?
correction “perception that
hewe will”I can’t imagine the backlash if he flips.
Do you realize what a wonderful metaphor that is?
Actually WE82,
McCain Feingold was my example and was from 2002, so it’s about 8 years old. If either of those two had immediately retired, their names would still be on the legislation.
No no, John Deaux. Don’t even try get in the way of a good ol’ WarEagle “I hate chapoutier” tantrum. Not even dying Haitians can dissuade him.
CHAPOUTIER IS A LAWYER AND HE DRINKS WINE TOO RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE.
He owes us a stronger comment than that. He owes us a “I will not vote in favor of the Health Care bill and will not be persuaded to do so; period.”
John Deaux,
Go back and read my original post. I was talking about AFTER THEY RETIRED. It should be pretty clear except for Chappy who is functionally illiterate.
And Chappy swills cheap rotgut but he does have the largest collection of Wild Irish Rose bottles in the Western Hemisphere…
And no doubt no one will remember who McCain or Feingold is when they do. Also, I am pretty sure that Article V, Section 8.A.iii(c)(3) of the law states that it automatically expires 9 years and 364 days after the effective date of the last to retire.
And yet even I wouldn’t serve Barbera d’Asti with London Broil.
There’s a realm I call my Senator “george Sonofavitch.”
“Of a proposed course of action He wants men, as far as I can see, to ask very simple questions: Is it righteous? Is it prudent? Is it possible? Now, if we can keep men asking: “Is it in accordance with the general movement of our time? Is it progressive or reactionary? Is this the way that History is going?” they will neglect the relevant questions.”
-Screwtape, The Screwtape Letters, Letter XXV, C.S. Lewis
Is Ohio run by whores too? Buckeyes must be sooo proud. At least they are not alone, right Cornhuskers and Cajuns?
Oops, screwed up the quotes – I should be a news broadcaster.
I would never serve London Broil with Barbera d’Asti!
I just called Voinovich’s office here in Cincinnati. The person who answered the phone said “The Senator is NOT voting for the Health Care Bill”. She said the meeting was to discuss the huge amount of debt our country has incurred. I reminded her that the Senator was one of those who voted for these huge bailouts.
No rage, just sorrow. Too much time spent boozing will cause disorientation and bad judgment. A drunkard wakes up with no clue about his bruises and he spins about like a man atop a mast.
It also leads to A CRAZY GOOD TIME!!!
Since both Collins and Snowe plan on running again, I doubt Obama could afford their price tag, which would be significantly higher than the 30 pieces of silver it would cost for RINOvich.
He has nothing to lose, since he’s on his way out the door. I refuse to believe any of the statements from RINOvich’s office today saying he won’t vote for it.
He’s dealing with The Chicago Way, and the Street Thug-in-Chief won’t allow this to fail.
Yeah, right. What you call a “crazy good time” is classified as “animal cruelty” in 49 states and the District of Columbia…
That was actually pretty good, Grasshopper.
Have you found a source for that exotic legacy definition yet?
Guess Grasshopper has given up on trying to defend his inane position. First smart thing he’s done on this thread.