From Politico: "Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) on Monday warned party leaders against a continued push for sweeping reform, saying Democrats have overreached and should scale back their ambitions.
"One of the worst places a politician can be is to be saying, ‘Open wide and swallow this is good for you,’ even if it is,” Connolly said. “We’re out of sync. I favor health care reform. I favor comprehensive healthcare reform, but not at the price of forcing something down’s the public’s throat that the public finds distasteful and bitter."
Maybe Gerry's problem with getting people to "open wide and swallow" is the creepy tinted glasses? Or he could be right, it might be the really "bitter" taste.
Close, but no cigar, Ben.
The Democrats' prescription is not "Open wide and swallow"; it's "Bend over and spread 'em!"
'Course, a certain Democrat constituency has no objection to that....
Posted by: James Young | January 26, 2010 at 02:45 PM
Neither does a certain Republican constituency. And by that I could mean th Log Cabin Republicans or I could mean "patriots" who are pefectly happy to be probed by Paul Blart Mall Cop everytime they want to get on a plane, all in the name of the "War on Tahr."
Posted by: Steve Vaughan | January 26, 2010 at 03:24 PM
OMG - I bet George is totally freakin on that "picture".
Just one other observation. You were elected on Health Care REform - so quit yawning - have some "balls" and leave the tea bagging to well - you know - professionals
Posted by: wow | January 26, 2010 at 03:34 PM
Well, I guess I'll be the first to post a comment that doesn't require immature innuendo.
Connolly actually "gets it". Whether you want to believe it or not, whether it is right or not, the American public has rejected health care reform as it stands.
Connolly understands the concept of being a "representative"...he represents the people, and must act accordingly.
Point for him...even if I think his motive may be to save his current seat in Congress.
Posted by: Phil Chroniger | January 26, 2010 at 04:05 PM
Funny how inconsistent those comments are with his responses to letters a couple months ago.
Nothing like a solid blue seat going red to make one consider the consequences of going against public sentiment.
I would have preferred he had made this decision because it is right, but I’ll take what I can get.
Posted by: change | January 26, 2010 at 04:36 PM
Joey calls Ben his "swallow" also.
Posted by: Van | January 26, 2010 at 10:15 PM
One Term Gerry - a little like standing on the shore after your boat has sunk and saying "I was always in favor of plugging the holes before we left port, even though I voted for not plugging them!"
Posted by: RogerS | January 26, 2010 at 11:00 PM
Steve, I should explain my terms. By "constituency," I mean "discrete, self-identified group to which politicians pander." By that definition, I doubt the "Log Cabin Republicans" qualify.
And while I travel a lot, and joke about airport security, I've yet to have to suffer an actual proctological exam from anyone but my own physician.
Posted by: James Young | January 27, 2010 at 02:12 PM
I think its time for a primary challenge!
Posted by: Not Leslie Byrne | January 27, 2010 at 07:48 PM
Gerry Connelly is necklaced and has hoisted himself on his own petard. Good luck Gerry, how does it feel to be bunged by your own shlong?
Posted by: beantowngurl | January 31, 2010 at 11:19 PM