Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care!
She didn’t say that, but it seems to be what she’s thinking.
Earlier DRJ told us about Robert Byrd’s plea that we rename health care legislation after Ted Kennedy.
It bears noting that Byrd was not the only Democrat to cynically exploit Kennedy’s death before the corpse had cooled to room temperature:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office sent an email to reporters at around 2:30 a.m. today, just hours after his death, calling for the passage of health care overhaul. “Ted Kennedy’s dream of quality health care for all Americans will be made real this year because of his leadership and his inspiration,” the statement read.
I encouraged readers not to make today be about remembering Kennedy’s role in the death of Mary Kopechne, or his lies about Robert Bork, or his numerous personal failings. There will be time for all that, but the day of a man’s death should not be about politics. Pelosi would have done well to remember that.
Sacrificing his liver for the Democrats ought to earn Kennedy something in return.
daleyrocks (718861) — 8/26/2009 @ 10:57 pmThere is an assumption there, Patterico: that Speaker Pelosi has any personal honor or basic decency. Nope, it’s all about partisan posturing.
But what could we expect from the most ethical congress in history? I guess that, with the botox treatments, none of us could see her wince when she said that.
Eric Blair (a88004) — 8/26/2009 @ 10:58 pmWell, yes, and no. While clearly one should refrain from the kind of gleeful cackling one might expect from DKos’rs were this an (in)famous republican, I cannot help but draw a parallel to Michael Jackson. His “personal failings” all but eclipsed any actual accomplishments, and I found it difficult on the day of his death to want to suddenly show him “respect.”
I put Sen Kennedy in a similar vein. While I would not consider him “evil,”, I would certainly consider much of what he said and did “reprehensible.”
As such, my “respect” will be to let his passing go relatively unremarked. As in, if you don’t have something nice to say….
Steev B (5eacf6) — 8/26/2009 @ 11:04 pmIt would have been cynical if Ted Kennedy wasn’t the leading proponent of health care reform.
Think of it as Pelosi’s, “Win one for the Gipper.”
Sunburn (5d93e3) — 8/26/2009 @ 11:16 pmthe only thing i’m sure of is that i *am* wearing my “Dead Kennedy’s” t-shirt to school tomorrow.
i was good today, and gave the requisite 24 hours of couth the left never does, but there’s no sense letting this crisis go to waste.
redc1c4 (fb8750) — 8/26/2009 @ 11:49 pmLeftism is a religion for people like Pelosi, no less satisfying and soothing to them than pure spirituality is to others. So, of course, during a moment of reflection and sadness she will evoke some liberal cause or policy in a manner not too different from the way that a religious conservative will evoke “Christ” or “God.”
Mark (411533) — 8/27/2009 @ 12:11 amEarlier DRJ told us about Robert Byrd’s plea that we rename health care legislation after Ted Kennedy. Makes more sense than the conservative cry after Reagan’s death to remove Roosevelt from the dime and replace him with Reagan.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 8/27/2009 @ 1:13 am“…remove Roosevelt from the dime and replace him with Reagan.”
That is a fantastic idea. I approve wholeheartedly.
I prefer to have the best presidents’ portraits on our coinage, not the absolute worst.
Dave Surls (6fbd4e) — 8/27/2009 @ 1:36 am“Ted Kennedy’s dream of quality health care for all Americans…”
Baloney. Ted Kennedy dreamed of what all Democrats dream of: establishing institutions that give them 100% control over other people’s lives, hence their fondness for things like slavery, military conscription, and, of course, socialized medicine.
Dave Surls (6fbd4e) — 8/27/2009 @ 1:40 am[…] Patterico’s Pontifications » Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That … […]
Dr. Bill Challenges PCW, HOW, TV Title on the Line « Political Championship Wrestling (44368e) — 8/27/2009 @ 3:41 amIf Pelosi thinks the dead body of Ted Kennedy is going to be the life raft that saves her and Obamacare, … (you can fill in a loft of punch lines to that beginning.)
Truly, the woman is thrashing about trying to grasp anything that will keep her in power, but to no avail. She feels her grip rapidly weakening; she’s going to be waving hello to the Titanic.
Ray (3c46ca) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:14 amA commenter over at Hot Air, “progressoverpeace.” said that the fact that their first reaction to someone’s death is to use it to advance a policy agenda tells us everything we need to know to oppose their being in charge of our health care, because respect for life means nothing to them. Seems pretty true to me. Nice job, Speaker Pelosi…
no one you know (1ebbb1) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:35 amWhy are you evil racist angry RethugliKKKans politicizing the death of the Lion of the Chappaquiddick?
JD (9e41b2) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:55 amConsider this, Ted Kennedy dying wish was to deny to the public the same choices on healthcare he had. Healthare for the Kennedy’s but not your grandmother.
DavidL (02e14f) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:58 am“She didn’t say that”
Thanks for the headline.
imdw (c5488f) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:11 amShe spoke in codewords, imdw, you disingenuous babbling idiot.
JD (9e41b2) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:14 amAnd if the GOP rolls over on this, then they deserve to be in the minority.
Ah, they couldn’t stand up to Kennedy when he was alive, why should I expect them to do any better now that he’s dead?
steve sturm (369bc6) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:17 amTaking the hint about not saying anything ill of a man that has died, a great silence should descend on the land.
cedarhill (dc2228) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:27 amNot touching this…
EricPWJohnson (9208b2) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:29 amWell, at least she didn’t go all John Edwards on us, and promise that if we pass ObamaCare, Ted Kennedy will rise again.
The sarcastic Dana (3e4784) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:35 amWin one for the Lecher?
rudytbone (e6656b) — 8/27/2009 @ 5:42 amWithout Ted Kennedy, who will Chris Dodd find to play the other slice in making “Waitress Sandwiches” like the two drunks did in 1985 at a Boston restaurant…while their “dates” were away in the bathroom.
Womanizer, boozer, murderer, Union lover, elitist, rich playboy, adulturer, lier….abuser….Judge Bork will remember him well, The Kopecknis will remember him well, the night clerks in many hotels where his handlers dumped his drunk drooling body after a night of hellraising will remember him, various women will remember his 20 seconds of performance, yes….his death will be USED by the worthless Democrats to keep passing on crapsandwiches…but Kennedy will always be the ORIGINAL crapsandwich maker.
RUFUS (2773bb) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:10 amOh, this is a fun game.
Invade China! Do it for Teddy!
Techie (482700) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:21 amThe Lion…Err Dog of the Senate.
BigEdsBlog (255539) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:23 am“Teddy Kennedy was the weak kitten in the litter, never able to measure up to his brothers.
The accident at Chappaquiddick displayed his chronic immaturity. One problem Teddy has always had was keeping it in his pants – even when other people are around.”
– Cleo O’Donnell – wife of former Kennedy campaign aide.
Check out my take, and stick around for more good content.
http://libertarianhumor.com/2009/08/26/the-lion-err-dog-of-the-senate/
Regarding Robert Byrd’s call to rename the health care bill after Kennedy, could we expect any less (or more) from a guy whose state has already named almost every static object within its borders after either him or his late wife?
Then again, I can see why West Virginia honors Byrd: he’s been a distinguished senator from “Almost Heaven” since it gained statehood in 1863. 😉
Markj (42fe5b) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:45 amAnn Coulter often makes me mad.
But one thing she got absolutely right is the left’s love of finding victims (and absolute moral authorities) to be the front for their causes so they can scream when someone criticizes the spokesman or cause.
All day I’ve been seeing people like Pelosi, using Kennedy to advance the cause of their choice, be it health care or anti-Iraq war sentiments. But you are not allowed to push back because OMG you are criticizing the recently deceased and he was wonderful and this was his DREAM.
MayBee (3d1a9c) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:51 amI’d like to see opponents of ObamaCare introduce their own health legislation named after Kennedy. It would:
1: Protect patients’ rights to be informed of all measures that could extend their lives.
2: Forbid government panels from discouraging the elderly and gravely ill from seeking life-extending care, such as that used by Kennedy.
3: Forbid the government from paying doctors to “counsel” patients to forego such care.
Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (0ea407) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:54 am“ChappaquiddiCare”
Horatio (55069c) — 8/27/2009 @ 6:54 amBrother Bradley – For a racist, that was one hell of an idea.
JD (93cafe) — 8/27/2009 @ 7:10 amAmen, MayBee. The need to have a figurehead, someone that they deem to have absolute moral authority, out in front of whatever issue. That way, when you oppose their idea, they can scream the Leftist mantra of racist/sexist/homophobe/warmonger etc … rather than actually engage the opposition. It is standard operating procedure, and it is inherently dishonest. See the S-Chip debate, Mama Sheehan, and countless other issues.
JD (5375e6) — 8/27/2009 @ 7:14 am1: Protect patients’ rights to be informed of all measures that could extend their lives.
I would amend that excellent idea with the addendum of “and make sure your 20 year – old daughters don’t trust their bosses and mentors to safely drive them over an eight yard stretch of water while drunk off their asses.”
Dmac (e6d1c2) — 8/27/2009 @ 7:45 am[…] Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! […]
Kennedy Died, Liberals Lied – Invoking The Ghost Of Teddy Will Not Turn A Pile Of Trash Into A Beautiful Rose | The Substratum (af9967) — 8/27/2009 @ 7:49 am[…] the Democrats, led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, are frantically clamoring for Congress to quickly pass ObamaCare here in America, in the shadow of […]
UK Health Care Scandal Breaking: Neglectful, Cruel Treatment of 1 Million Patients Reported « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/27/2009 @ 8:27 amHow Cocktailer.
HeavenSent (01a566) — 8/27/2009 @ 9:28 am[…] Diction: The Honorable Sir Edward Moore Kennedy Amendment Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish on […]
“KennedyCare” Photo of the Day « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/27/2009 @ 9:41 am[…] Bulletproof Diction: The Honorable Sir Edward Moore Kennedy Amendment Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish on […]
ObamaCare = ObamaSnoop; Socialist Backdoor to everything you hold PRIVATE! « VotingFemale Speaks! (1ef651) — 8/27/2009 @ 10:04 am#8- I prefer to have the best presidents’ portraits on our coinage, not the absolute worst. They are already.
DCSCA (9d1bb3) — 8/27/2009 @ 12:28 pmLol. FDR has failed the test of time. he interned japanese citizens because he was a dumb racist democrat like Al Gore an Byrd. At least he didn’t drown his mistress, I guess.
He failed to prosecute WWII correctly by waiting forever, and thus let millions die, and he failed to handle the depression, making it into the worst economic disaster we’ve ever seen. He had no respect for things like the judiciary or 2 terms or fair elections.
Just scum, and we all know it. Reagan saved the world from nuclear holocaust without FDR’s deathcount. And Reagan didn’t hate asians or attempt to destroy the supreme court. But reagan was a filthy republican, which means he’s a BAD person.
Juan (bd4b30) — 8/27/2009 @ 12:33 pm“And frankly, it was up to the voters of Massachusetts to pass political judgement on Ted Kennedy regarding Chappaquiddick.”
Nope. That was a question for a jury.
Juan (bd4b30) — 8/27/2009 @ 12:47 pm“She spoke in codewords, imdw, you disingenuous babbling idiot.”
See, people out there like Kennedy and his policies and his example, so they don’t speak in code around him by moronically doing shit like “if you cant say anything nice don’t say anything… here’s me not saying anything.”
Plus, it’s not really “great” that there is one less vote now for the reform side. What, you think the opponents of reform will be kind enough to not allow this to change the debate?
imdw (60954d) — 8/27/2009 @ 2:29 pmimdw-speak:
Reform = Supporting one’s pet projects works with other people’s forcibly confiscated money.
Reactionary = Letting people keep their own money.
Bradley J. Fikes, C. O.R. (a18ddc) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:27 pmyou think the opponents of reform will be kind enough to not allow this to change the debate?
You mean like the fact that Kennedy received health care from a private facility? Or that the ‘little people’ won’t be getting the same health care as the elected officials whose salaries they pay? Or the fact that the Democrats are attempting to pass and revoke laws for purely partisan advantage – and we’re supposed to trust them to pass this vaguely written behemoth that gains them control of a huge portion of the economy?
The debate hasn’t changed at all. The Democrats don’t want to engage in debate, because they can’t answer those questions. They want allegiance, and anyone who doesn’t come along will be vilified as ‘radical’ or ‘extreme’.
Having 60 fucking D Senators as the most important goal means that the Democrats aren’t looking to have to engage in debate.
Apogee (e2dc9b) — 8/27/2009 @ 4:42 pm“You mean like the fact that Kennedy received health care from a private facility”
Just like seniors on medicare…
“Or that the ‘little people’ won’t be getting the same health care as the elected officials whose salaries they pay? ”
I think its a feature, not a flaw, that we have a health system where the rich get better care than the poor. Capitalism!
But I mean like the fact that there is now one less vote. You think an opponent of reform will now abstain in order to equalize the advantage they have gained?
“Having 60 fucking D Senators as the most important goal means that the Democrats aren’t looking to have to engage in debate.”
Even looking at it that way, now that they don’t have 60, the debate changes.
[note: fished from spam filter]
imdw (be85b6) — 8/28/2009 @ 4:38 am“Bloated, Drunken and Stupid” epitaph.
Rest in Peace Mary Jo Kopechne.
JD Bartleby (a4586f) — 8/28/2009 @ 12:15 pm[…] Diction: The Honorable Sir Edward Moore Kennedy Amendment Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! and The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish […]
Death Coverage Snit: Michael Jackson vs. Ted Kennedy, from Fried Green al-Qaedas « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/29/2009 @ 10:10 am[…] reading: Smart Girl Politics: Mary Jo can finally rest in peace. Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! and The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish […]
Eulogy for a Privileged, Lucky Monster: Ted Kennedy’s Jokes about Chappaquiddick (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/29/2009 @ 2:52 pm[…] in peace. Washington Post: He Remains the Man Many Love to Loathe Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! and The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish […]
“Audacious Child Exploitation Award”: Sleazy Dems Ramming ObamaCare at Kennedy’s Funeral (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/29/2009 @ 6:32 pm[…] Last of the Brothers of Camelot: Edward Kennedy, Rest in Peace Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! and The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish […]
Yin-Yang Commentaries, Sen. Ted Kennedy’s Gravesite, and Widow Vicki Filling Ted’s Senate Seat (video) « Frugal Café Blog Zone (a66042) — 8/30/2009 @ 6:32 pm[…] and Last of the Brothers of Camelot: Edward Kennedy, Rest in Peace Patterico’s Pontifications: Pelosi: Ted Kennedy Died? Great! That Ought to Help Us Pass Health Care! and The Tedward Lovefest: Candidate for Health Care Sainthood Has One Teensy, Weensy Little Blemish […]
Socialists Fall on Own Sword; ObamaCare V1.0 is Dead On Arrival « VotingFemale Speaks! (902ea9) — 8/31/2009 @ 6:06 amBruce’s Two-Bits…
From a Republican poll watcher friend’s email:
CBS News released its own poll on Tuesday, finding that Americans disapprove of Obama’s handling of health care by 47%-40%, a 9 point increase since July. A majority believe “the health care reforms und…
Maggie's Farm (1db130) — 9/4/2009 @ 5:57 am