When President Obama was crafting his health care legislation, Republicans gave it the name ObamaCare and generated a fury of negative publicity. They accused it of containing “death panels” to euthanize the critically ill, and promoted it as a socialist takeover of health care and a jobs killer. Ironically, they admitted they never read the legislation because it had too many pages.
Republicans generated poll numbers showing voter disapproval of ObamaCare. Not surprisingly, this was their successful mid-term campaign to defeat Democratic members of Congress.
Two years later, the President travels to a number of states to promote new budget legislation that would tax high earners and provide funds to repair decaying infrastructure. He explains this while standing near a decaying bridge in House Speaker John Boehner’s congressional district. This takes traction and poll numbers indicate voter approval.
The Republicans criticize this as campaigning for the next election. Notice if Republicans can generate support against any issue the Democrats propose, they will insist the people are speaking. Irrespective of whether there is any distortion of the truth in seeking support. Poll victories on legislation Democrats promote, will be called pandering. Doesn’t sound right to me, but I think that’s the way it is.
— Sheldon I. Saitlin, Chicago
