WyoDems' "Reality Check" on Sen. Enzi and health reform

Brianna Jones, communications director of the Wyoming Democratic Party, sent out this "reality check" today on Sen. Mike Enzi's comments regarding health care reform. She also sent out one on Sen. ("just call me Doc") John Barrasso on health care. There are a few differences, but both have a similar P.O.V. We'll show Enzi's comments first, as he has been involved in the Senate's lack-of-action from the beginning:

RHETORIC: Enzi Said That "Broad Bipartisan Support" Was Needed For Health Care And That He Would "Continue To Offer Constructive Ideas In Hopes That We Might Have The Opportunity To Develop A Bipartisan Solutions."

Sen. Enzi: "I have said for many months that the should have broad bipartisan support in order to gain the trust of the american people. Health care reform will affect the lives of every single american and have a dramatic impact on our economy in the future of our nation. It is too important to be passed by a narrow partisan majorities. Unfortunately, the efforts that -- the efforts were unable to produce a bill because of arbitrarily deadlines. This was imposed by the Senate leadership and the White House. Apparently in some circles there is a belief that passing a bill quickly is more important than getting it right. I regret that we ran out of time and were not able to resolve several key issues that i believe must be addressed in any comprehensive reform package. I will continue to offer constructive ideas in hopes that we might have the opportunity to develop a bipartisan solutions to address the health care challenges that are faced by our nation." [Senate Finance Committee Health Care Reform Mark-up, 9/22/09]

REALITY: ENZI IS NOT INTERESTED IN BIPARTISAN HEALTH CARE REFORM -- ONLY IN KILLING REFORM

Enzi: “That (Health Care Bill) Is Going To Take Awhile And I’m Pretty Sure It’s Going To Fail.” “Congress won’t start serious work on cap and trade until after the health care bill is taken care of. ‘That (the health care bill) is going to take awhile and I’m pretty sure it’s going to fail,’ Enzi said. Enzi, a former Gillette mayor and state legislator who lives in Gillette, has been touring the state during the congressional recess to talk about issues.” [Gillette News Record, 9/2/09]

Enzi Said Took Credit For Blocking And Delaying Health Care Bill. “This time, Enzi responded. ‘If I hadn't been involved in this process as long as I have and to the depth as I have, you would already have national health care,’ he said. ‘Someone has to be at the table asking questions,’ Enzi said, showing a flash of passion. He later quoted a favorite saying: ‘If you're not at the table, you're on the menu.’ ‘It's not where I get them to compromise, it's what I get them to leave out,’ Enzi said.” [AP, 8/25/09]

Enzi Said Democratic Health Care Proposals Would “Raid Medicare” And Intrude “In The Relationship Between A Doctor And A Patient.” “In the GOP's weekly radio and Internet address, Sen. Mike Enzi (Wyo.) said the Democrats' health-care proposals ‘will actually make our nation's finances sicker without saving you money,’ and would also ‘raid Medicare’ and intrude ‘in the relationship between a doctor and a patient’ His remarks are the latest volley in a partisan debate that has grown increasingly heated during the August recess, as some lawmakers have reported hearing fervent opposition to President Obama's reform plans in their states and districts. ‘Across the country, people are concerned about the reform bills Democrats have proposed,’ Enzi said. ‘I heard a lot of frustration and anger as I traveled across my home state this
last few weeks.’” [Washington Post, 8/30/09]

Enzi Boasted About Voting Against The Health Care Plan That Passed The Senate HELP Committee. "Enzi, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and member of the Senate Finance Committee, repeated his opposition to a government-run health care plan today while addressing the Casper Rotary Club. Over the weekend, Health and Human Services Secretary Katherine Sebelius hinted that the Administration may be willing to look beyond a government-run option. 'As I've said from the beginning, a government-run option is not an option. I voted against the Democrat plan in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last month and would do so again,' Enzi said. 'A government-run plan would increase health care costs, lessen service and add to our huge debt. The American people are doing a great job of getting this message across to the Administration and Congress.'" [Sen. Enzi release, 8/17/09]

Sen. Enzi Predicted “Nasty, Nasty Town Meeting” For Democrats Over Health Care. “In an interview, Sen. Mike Enzi, a Wyoming Republican, said he was committed to forging a bipartisan consensus on legislation that overhauls the U.S. health-care system. ‘We're past due for doing it, and the American people want it,’ said Mr. Enzi, one of three Republicans negotiating with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.). The Baucus-led talks are the only bipartisan health-bill effort on Capitol Hill. But Sen. Enzi said voters so far didn't seem impressed by what the Democratic majority on Capitol Hill has come up with, and predicted members of the House and Senate are in for ‘some nasty, nasty town meetings’ over the August congressional recess. ‘I don't think they like what they see so far,’ the senator said of voters.” [Wall Street Journal, 8/6/09]

Enzi, Along With Sen. Grassley, Brief The GOP Leaders Daily And Leader McConnell Said "They're Not Free Agents. They're Reporting To Us." "Grassley and Enzi brief a majority of the Republican Conference almost every Wednesday afternoon -- and have for months - and they brief GOP leaders almost daily. While Enzi, Grassley and Snowe say they aren't being urged to resist a deal, neither are they being given carte blanche. GOP aides say they have been reminded they are not negotiating on behalf of the Conference and could find themselves on an "island" if they agree to legislation without first getting it approved. 'They're not free agents. They're reporting to us,' McConnell told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday. " 'I don't think they're going to sign onto a deal that a vast majority of my Conference can't agree to. And we don't, so far, like much of anything we see in this big-government, high-tax, mandate approach that the Democratic majority and the president would like to pass.'" [Roll Call, 8/3/09]