Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Norm Coleman – the former senator from Minnesota and a prominent advisor for Mitt Romney – suggested over the weekend in an interview that no matter who the Republican nominee is, they are unlikely to fully repeal Obamacare.
"We’re not going to do repeal. You’re not going to repeal Obamacare… It’s not a total repeal... You will not repeal the act in its entirety, but you will see major changes, particularly if there is a Republican president... You can't whole-cloth throw it out. But you can substantially change what's been done."
He goes on to say: "The Supreme Court first of all will have to deal with it. If you get rid of the individual mandate, then this whole thing may collapse." Asked by the moderator whether this means other provisions will go away as well, Coleman says: "I don’t think they will go away, because I don’t think the Act works financially, it simply doesn’t work, if you have severability." Coleman maintains that Republicans still "need to do health care reform" and suggests that he supports the approach put forward by Paul Ryan and Ron Wyden.
Coleman's remarks are remarkable because every Republican candidate — including Romney — has vowed to make repealing the law a priority. Coleman is also the chairman of the American Action Network, which has urged the courts to strike down the law's individual mandate and its Medicaid expansion.
There are a number of takeaways from this, but this is a meaningful takeaway in large part because Coleman remains on the short list for a cabinet position in the next administration, and he’s almost assured a position there if he wants it (perhaps even at HHS).
In other words, he’s not your average political pundit.
If Coleman is correct—and I think it’s possible he is—the next Republican president is likely to go through an experience along these lines: an attempt to repeal the whole bill will be made, passing the House but being filibustered in the Senate. Reconciliation can only go so far, and in the wake of a Supreme Court decision knocking down the individual mandate, the right’s political push to repeal the whole of Obamacare is likely to become less pressing (ironically, the Court’s getting rid of the worst part of the law from the public’s perspective may undercut these efforts). The Senate is likely to force instead a compromise position, in which Obamacare is “fixed,” not repealed – made “more market friendly”, as Coleman suggests.
This may be a good end result for many of the stakeholders and the politicians involved. As for the American people, well, that’s a different story.
(Edited because originally that second blockquote didn't take.)
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Comments:
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
This news is really the cornerstone of my concern with Romney. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the independents have a collective stroke every time Gingrich extolls Founding principals and go stampeding back to the utopian left, and so we ditch him and nominate Romney. And then let's assume that Romney discovers heretofore unknown powers of persuasion and is elected President.
The two-thousand page Obamacare law will not be easily repealed or destroyed. Democrats will challenge the legality of the waivers he proposes to issue, they will fight him tooth and claw every step of the way. Exactly what in his resume, his campaign, or his advisors, inspires confidence that he has the tenacity to see this battle through? His default position seems to be equivocation. I for one am tired of the charade.
Mar '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
I agree.
One of his advisors comes out and tells us that the job just might be too tough for them to do. If they don't think they can do it, then we need to find someone who does think they can do it.
May '10
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Percival
............
One of [Romney's] advisors comes out and tells us that the job just might be too tough for them to do. If they don't think they can do it, then we need to find someone who does think they can do it. · 6 minutes ago
I'd rather have someone who is smart and understands what the essentials are near term to keep us from going over the cliff. Newt can't do it. Paul Ryan might be able to make progress.
Don Quixote bravado from naifs isn't going to fix the problem. I think that Ben describes the most likely outcome- the question is selling an alternative to the public, then working toward that.
When something can't go on, it won't (Herb Stein). We need to realistically address it, not complain about how awful the world is because we can't get it all. Tell me again how many Cabinet departments President Reagan eliminated?
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Duane, half-measures on this matter cannot be sold to the public. Romney himself has promised a total repeal. If he is to get the nomination, he has to stick to that pledge. If he is to be elected, he has to stick to that pledge. And if he is to have a successful Presidency, he has to deliver on that pledge. Conservatives are no longer willing to be sold out by the managerial progressives in their midst.
Is it doable? Of course, it is. The filibuster is a function of the rules of the Senate, which are established at the beginning of each session by a majority vote of the Senate. If the Republicans win in 2012 and they want to have a future, they will do what needs to be done.
May '10
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Norm Coleman needs to crawl back to the rock under which Romney's team found him. That is ridiculous defeatist talk indeed. If advice from the likes of Coleman is the best Romney can do, then he has just about destroyed any chances he had at gaining my support. Good grief!
Edited on January 25, 2012 at 12:20amNov '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Why is it we have a Republican party again?
Mar '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Sorry. Don Quixote bravado is all I can summon through a keyboard.
They are talking about "managing" the full glass of poison that is Obamacare. They are going to remove the nastiest bits and leave us with a half-glass of poison. Am I supposed to be able to sleep knowing that that is "better?"
Listen, Dwayne. I've watched Chicago politics operate all my life. When the local pols can decide when your street gets plowed, or whether or not the potholes get filled, that is bad. When they can decide whether or not your business can get a license to stay open, that is far worse.
You can always move, though.
Soon, they'll get to decide what treatment options are open to your kids, and it will be nation-wide.
No half measures. It all has to go!
Apr '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Dave Carter
With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare is that it is not among the enumerated powers permitted to the federal government in the Constitution. · 3 hours ago
You know, I would never have had you down as a Romneycare fan, Dave. I agree with you that the constitutionality is a big deal. I don't agree with you that, absent that, Obamacare is non-problematic.
Jul '10
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Just so. This is a terrible law, an unpopular law, and its benefits (such as they are) have yet to be enacted.
There is absolutely no need to amend this ludicrously complicated monstrosity. If it has a provision or three that are so necessary to maintain popular support then those things can be campaigned for, and passed, separately.
Some things are non-negotiable. Not many, perhaps, but for me this is one.
Dec '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Don Quixote bravado from naifs isn't going to fix the problem.
You're right: what we really need is arrogant snark.
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
James Of England
Dave Carter
With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare is that it is not among the enumerated powers permitted to the federal government in the Constitution. · 3 hours ago
You know, I would never have had you down as a Romneycare fan, Dave. I agree with you that the constitutionality is a big deal. I don't agree with you that, absent that, Obamacare is non-problematic. · 1 hour ago
And you would have been correct, James. I was responding to your specific comment, above, regarding Obamacare and raising a point you neglected. With regard to Romneycare, I'm not a fan of the individual mandate on any level. In fact, I'm bloody tired of government at all levels pushing us around. Nice try, though.
Apr '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Dave Carter
James Of England
Dave Carter
With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare is that it is not among the enumerated powers permitted to the federal government in the Constitution. · 3 hours ago
You know, I would never have had you down as a Romneycare fan, Dave. I agree with you that the constitutionality is a big deal. I don't agree with you that, absent that, Obamacare is non-problematic. · 1 hour ago
And you would have been correct, James. I was responding to your specific comment, above, regarding Obamacare and raising a point you neglected. With regard to Romneycare, I'm not a fan of the individual mandate on any level. In fact, I'm bloody tired of government at all levels pushing us around. Nice try, though. · 2 minutes ago
I don't see how you reconcile these statements. I'm not arguing that you should like Romneycare. I'm arguing that you should object to Newt's promise to impose it on the nation.
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
J. of E., it seems like a protracted round of rhetorical tail chasing at this point,..but I'll give it a last try.
You bold two statements of mine: "With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare is that it is not among the enumerated powers permitted to the federal government in the Constitution." and, "I'm not a fan of the individual mandate on any level." Then you write, "I don't see how you reconcile these statements." That's easy. Neither the Founders, not the Constitution, nor I like the idea of being pushed around by the state. We have much in common, actually.
I'm not sure what you are tethering your argument to with regard to Newt, unless you're trying to lure me into a discussion of Newt's former endorsement of the individual mandate, which I understand him to have conceded was a mistake. Please let me know when Romney concedes his mistake vis-a-vis Romneycare. Otherwise, I'll hop off the merry-go-round now.
Edited on January 25, 2012 at 5:11amApr '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Dave Carter: J. of E., it seems like a protracted round of rhetorical tail chasing at this point,..but I'll give it a last try.
I'm not sure what you are tethering your argument to with regard to Newt, unless you're trying to lure me into a discussion of Newt's former endorsement of the individual mandate, which I understand him to have conceded was a mistake. Please let me know when Romney concedes his mistake vis-a-vis Romneycare. Otherwise, I'll hop off the merry-go-round now.
Did you click the links on my initial comment (#5)? It is not about Newt's past support, but about his current policies.
Newt, on his campaign site, today, outlines a replacement to Obamacare that is essentially the same as Obama's version, but Constitutional and with a tax cut. You responded by suggesting that the Constitutionality was key (#39), which sounded to me like an endorsement of Newt's "variation on" Obamacare. Since Romneycare shares the benefit you referred to, I noted that your basis of support for NewtCare would also apply to Romneycare, which you responded to by saying that Constitutionality was not your issue.
Apr '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Dave Carter: J. of E., it seems like a protracted round of rhetorical tail chasing at this point,..but I'll give it a last try.
You bold two statements of mine: "With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare is that it is not among the enumerated powers permitted to the federal government in the Constitution." and, "I'm not a fan of the individual mandate on any level." Then you write, "I don't see how you reconcile these statements." That's easy.
Thinking about it, part of the problem may have been that because we were talking past each other, I over read your use of the word "the" in "With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare...". I thought you were saying that it was the only thing wrong with it, which seems like a pretty surprising stance. Since you were responding to my noting that Newt seems to think that that's the problem, it seemed a plausible stance, though. I gather that you meant "a thing which is wrong", because you thought I didn't care about the Constitution, or otherwise thought I neglected something.
I apologize for my (possibly continuing) misreading.
Mar '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
DrewInWisconsin
I agree. Time, perhaps, to let them merge with their natural allies, the Democrats, while conservatives go off and form something new? · 10 hours ago
Been saying this for awhile myself. Maybe it's time for "the Conservative Party", vs. the Democratic or Democratic-Republican Party.
Mar '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Precisely. As Lileks has said, Romney is a technocrat to his empty core. He's the kind of guy that back in the 1920's and 30's was saying that markets were too inefficient, and needed expert management. He is, as Rahe described, a "managerial progressive". To the likes of Romney, the problem isn't that the Federal government has too much power or has too large a scope. It's just doing this inefficiently, and better management can fix it.
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
James Of England
Dave Carter:
Thinking about it, part of the problem may have been that because we were talking past each other, I over read your use of the word "the" in "With respect, the thing which is wrong with Obamacare...". I thought you were saying that it was the only thing wrong with it, which seems like a pretty surprising stance. Since you were responding to my noting that Newt seems to think that that's the problem, it seemed a plausible stance, though. I gather that you meant "a thing which is wrong", because you thought I didn't care about the Constitution, or otherwise thought I neglected something.
I apologize for my (possibly continuing) misreading. · 11 hours ago
James, I think you're right. It was a misreading, and we were talking past each other. I had not seen Gingrich's latest, which I will devote time to as I'm able. On the big things we agree, however. Thanks for highlighting the confusion.
Sep '10
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
If Coleman is correct—and I think it’s possible he is—the next Republican president is likely to go through an experience along these lines: an attempt to repeal the whole bill will be made, passing the House but being filibustered in the Senate.
....
Exactly what in his resume, his campaign, or his advisors, inspires confidence that he has the tenacity to see this battle through?
For Romney, the promise to repeal will go the way of GHWB's no new taxes. Norm Coleman has already highlighted that. So, the question becomes: is this an equivalent moment to Maggie Thatcher's first showdown with the coal miners in which she folded and wisely regrouped for another day, or is this the time to dig in go to the mat?
If its pedal to the medal, go for broke, then Romney is not the guy to do it. If its a war of slow attrition like peeling back the layers of the onion then you have a case for Romney. Canada has had single payer health care for over 50 years and I can assure you that once its in, I think you've had it.
Apr '11
Re: Norm Coleman: We're Not Going to Repeal Obamacare
Pseudodionysius: If Coleman is correct—and I think it’s possible he is—the next Republican president is likely to go through an experience along these lines: an attempt to repeal the whole bill will be made, passing the House but being filibustered in the Senate.
....
Exactly what in his resume, his campaign, or his advisors, inspires confidence that he has the tenacity to see this battle through?
For Romney, the promise to repeal will go the way of GHWB's no new taxes.....
If its pedal to the medal, go for broke, then Romney is not the guy to do it. If its a war of slow attrition like peeling back the layers of the onion then you have a case for Romney.
Romney's promised to use reconciliation to get repeal Obamacare at the beginning of his term. There are fragments of Obamacare that would could not be repealed that way, but this time next year, he could be signing a bill that essentially repeals the mandate and most of the rest. The remaining details would need to be part of Romney's tort reform/ HSA promotion/ etc. bill.
Bush wouldn't have increased taxes in January 1989.