Upbeat, laughing Paul Ryan promises GOP will totally come up with Obamacare-replacement one day

[DetlefK]

http://crooksandliars.com/2016/01/cbs-host-corners-paul-ryan-over-latest

"You said that you wanted the Republicans to offer an alternative to the president," CBS host John Dickerson reminded Ryan in an interview that aired on Sunday. "One of the first things you did this year, though, was offer that [Obamacare] repeal."

"How is than an alternative?" Dickerson wondered.

"It's not," Ryan replied, laughing. "It's why we have to come up with an alternative. So, you're right about that one."

"Will you?" Dickerson pressed.

"Absolutely," Ryan insisted. "My goal—I don't know how far it will go given we have a filibuster and a guy named Obama who's not going to replace Obamacare—but my goal is that, we as Republicans, if we don't like these laws, don't like the direction the country is going, I think we have to be more than just an opposition party."



Did I get this right? A vote on a republican Obamacare-replacement would be futile because they know Obama would veto it. But 60 votes to repeal Obamacare without replacement make sense even though they know Obama would veto them.


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You know what's the GOP's problem on Obamacare?

Numbers.

"And we really think (emphasis mine) Obamacare is failing, whether it's premiums, restricted access, high deductibles, families losing the insurance they wanted to keep."

They think Obamacare is failing. They aren't making some argument that Obamacare is failing because of these numbers and those statistics. They are just putting a fact-free complaint out there how they think it is failing. They are making a wide pass around discussing actual metrics of Obamacare.

If the GOP came up with a replacement, this would trigger an unwelcome discussion which plan is better and whether Obamacare is actually failing. And they can't allow that discussion because the supposed failure of Obamacare is a pillar of their party-platform.

[Chemisse]

1. Two possibilities:

1. They will come up with a replacement that is almost identical to Obamacare - only they'll call it something else.
2. The replacement will be NO Obamacare (the clean and simple approach).

Either way, they don't want to reveal their "plan" until after they've gutted this one.

[Agnosticsherbet]

2. I keep hear that Republicans will pass an alternative. I think they might pass gas.

If a Republican is elected, he will get a bill to sign the first week, and perhaps, the first day if Democrats in the Senate can't stop it.

[IDemo]

3. "Just die" won't take as much ink to print..

[gratuitous]

4. Dickerson almost committed an act of journalism there

Came up about one question short. "So, Mr. Ryan. You and your cohort have been in control of Congress for six years now. When do you think you'll come up with your alternative? A few days, weeks, months, years, decades, or centuries?"

Feel free to use that question, Mr. Dickerson. I'm sure it's tough doing your job on the pittance you're paid and the barely adequate staff CBS provides you.

[TeamPooka]

5. ObamaCare is THIER FUCKING PLAN! nt