Internal RNC Memo: "Engage In Every Activity" To Slow Down Health Care Reform
The memo, which was obtained by the Huffington Post from a Democratic source, provides the clearest illustration to date of the political playbook being used to stop Democratic attempts at a health care overhaul. Much of the material mirrors the speeches and presentations made by conservatives both inside and out of elected office to date. Obama's plan for health care is deemed an "experiment" and a "risk" that could bankrupt the country and dangerously change the doctor-patient relationship.
In particular, the 12-page memo makes the case that it is a Republican priority to slow down the consideration of health care reform before it can become codified.
"The Republican National Committee will engage in every activity we can to slow down this mad rush while promoting sensible alternatives that address health care costs and preserve quality," the memo affirmatively declares.
In an effort to slow down reform, the RNC advises its advocates to use a whole host of political tools, from organizing town halls, to writing letters to the editor, to booking surrogates on radio and television, to engaging in "Street Theater" protests outside Democratic events. And in a bit of irony, the memo's authors encourage readers to frame the president as the one acting out of political motivations.
"Despite the president's increasingly skeptical reviews, it should also be noted that the Obama administration is fantastic at the PR game," the memo reads. "In some cases, they are even a little too good at it, selling things that are demonstrably untrue."
"The president's PR team uses rhetoric to mask reality, and the White House spin machine is in overdrive trying to convince Americans as well as our nation's health care professionals that their plan is the cure for what ails us," it argues at another point. "Republicans will not allow the Democrats' rhetoric to define this debate."
As for a Republican alternative to the president's agenda, the RNC memo doesn't offer much in the way of details, save to make the argument that the status quo isn't as bad as it is being painted.
"The Republican Party knows we have the best health care system in the world," the memo declares. "The Republican Party also knows it is a system in need of reform because it is costing our families and our businesses too much."
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- groups:
- News, Current Democrats, Health Care Reform
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- tags:
- News and Politics, US Politics, Health Care Reform, RNC, 1 more + add
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- WakeUpPeople
- added this
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I want this done right, but there is an urgency. Every minute that this is delayed is another minute that private insurance lobbyists are buying votes and campaigning with scare tactics. Public support is dropping because the misinformation machine is gaining momentum.
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- WakeUpPeople
- 4 months ago
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Actually, every minute this is delayed is another minute that a mother who works at Walmart doesn't get that lump checked out, or an artist with a family doesn't get antibiotics for his children.
Because right now in America, a "good job" is one that offers some sort of health care benefits. And if you're an independent contractor like me, you're screwed. Newsflash: in other countries, health care ISN'T permanently intertwined with your level of employment. In fact, in some countries, a citizen's health is actually valued whether they are employed as a CEO... or employed as a sales clerk! Shocker, I know.
When are Michael Steele and the rest of these anti-health-care-reform assholes just going to say what they really mean: That if you're not lucky enough to get health benefits through your employer, and you're not rich enough to afford independent health care, then they honestly don't care if you live or die.
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- Found_Avenue
- 4 months ago
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Awesome. At least someone is trying to save our country a trillion and a half dollars.
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- clownpuncher
- 4 months ago
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"The Republican Party knows we have the best health care system in the world," I guess this is similar to the world series where only America is included.
Haven't they ever taken a look at the actual statistics on Health Care that include Europe at least.
The only "best" health care system they are talking about is the governments own platinum program which they pay nothing for,...or for jail birds, where we have socialized medicine for every rapist, murderer, and criminal in there.
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They've always been a bunch of obstructionist do-nothings.
Almost none of them are willing to work with liberals on damn near anything.
Calling them hyper-partisan doesn't even do the trick.
It's like sibling rivalry politics, democrats are evil and must always be opposed even when they're actually right because they're never right. And when we do the same thing it's different and better.
They're all from the house on C street apparently.
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As far as medical advances and techniques we are the best. As far as infant mortality and life span we are one of the worst. As has been normal for the past 9 years the Republicans are lying and misleading.
http://current.com/items/90501240_president-obama-challenges-gop-misinformation-...
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These people trying to slow down and stop health care reform are far more sick than those without health care. How is it possible that anyone would want for others to not be taken care of? As a community isn't that what we are supposed to do, take care of each other?
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- ToBeNowhere
- 4 months ago
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The status quo isn't so bad? That's the dumbest thing that they can argue. Sure, maybe Obama's plan isn't the best solution (really, penalizing people for not getting healthcare...that is dumb), but saying something sooooooo incredibly wrong is a stupid strategy. (BTW, I'm for single payer and not the republican private support). Arguing things like that is why the Republican party should go the way of the Whigs...or the lemmings...either one will shut them up...
