IS THIS TRUE.... Why Newt Blocked National Health Insurance

[ulTRAX]

About 10 years ago or so I seem to remember David Broder (?) on The News Hour explaining why the GOP under Newt leadership was so determined to kill the Clinton health care plan. In an interview between Broder (?) and Gingrich, Newt explained that the Right had learned how loyal seniors were to the Democrats for passing Social Security in the 30's... and strategically they wanted to prevent a new generation of such loyalty to the Dems for passing national health care.

Is my memory correct? Is this in print? If so have a cite?

Thanks!

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I'd like to know this too.

[tk2kewl]

2. sounds reasonable

and goes hand in hand with the Clinton-bashing-as-distraction strategy.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. I don't know for sure, but it definitely sounds like something

the Newt would say.

[Patty Diana]

4. georgewbush.org site had a dead letter office with GOP mail

i downloaded Newts strategy Titled NEWT_WHAT_IS_AT_STAKE_IN_2004_ELECTION A 283 KB PFD DOCUMENT

[TN al]

5. I can't speak for Newt...

... but I do remember a gop senator saying after it was defeated that we need a health care bill but not this one. I thought at the time, " OK, lets see how quickly your health care bill is voted on." Needless to say I am still waiting. I think the senator was Arlen Specter, but it might have been Orrin Hatch.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. It's evil, it's cynical, it's heartless

Sounds about right.

[donsu]

7. something about this is in Hillary's book

can't remember details, but I did a post on it after her book came out and I read it. the AMA was in on it too?

[LanternWaste]

8. Broder co-authored, "The System"

Broder co-authored a book called, "The System- The Modern Political Process in America" that I've read a few times. It shines a light on the PAC's, committee's and other roaches that infest the walls in DC and uses Clinton's Health Care policy attempt as a common thread to illustrate the abuses.

Having read the book, Newt's main goal in derailing the Health Care plan was simply to make sure Clinton failed no matter what. His tight group of Conservatives were just then beginning to make themselves heard but their swagger was still empty. If they could force Clinton off his plan, they would have established their pre-eminence in DC and with the lobbyists.

It worked and the health care plan never emerged... what did emerge was the New, Better Tasting and Good For You Republican Party lead by Gingrich himself... at least until it was reported that he himself was having an affair. He stepped out of the political arena and into the lobbyist's closet after that.

The System is a long but rewarding read!

[barb162]

11. this sounds correct; they tried and succeeded in derailing Clinton

in just about every move he made. Well it was fairly easy, one investigation after another and they basically owned both houses of congress

[JaneEyrez]

9. This is just ONE of the reasons I propose that we DEFEAT

BU$HCO on privatizing Social Security. Please read my rant at:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2820953

[barb162]

10. makes no sense as I think most seniors are GOP (at least every

seniors I know , every last one of them on Social Security all vote for the shrub).

Also I think Ginrich and his gang didn't want any spending on health care; They tried breaking up Hillary's group as soon as it started and were successful.

[leftofthedial]

12. that's part of it

that and hundreds of millions of dollars paid by the insurance industry to maintain the status quo


oh, and then the fact that they are evil scum

[ThorsHammer]

13. I read the same thing, can't remember where though (nt)