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Rove: Health Care Bill Is Gift to GOP

Backlash against spending will be 'boon' to party in 2010

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 8, 2009 4:05 AM CDT

(Newser) – The GOP is winning the debate on health care and it'll win control of Congress as well if the Democrats manage to pass a health care bill, writes Karl Rove. Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus wants to "front-load" the bill with hefty tax hikes that will kick in before voters see any benefits, making the Democrats likely to feel the full fury of a voter backlash against tax-and-spend policies next year, Rove warns in the Wall Street Journal.

Independent voters, college graduates, and seniors are all strongly opposed to the bill, writes Rove, quoting poll figures from Fox and Gallup, and their votes will be crucial in 2010. The Democrats should remember that "there are two fights going on here—one over health care and another over which party will control Congress after next year's elections," Rove writes. "By waging the first, they may be setting themselves up to lose the second."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Former White House aide Karl Roves talks to reporters as he leaves a parking garage in Washington earlier this year. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Opponents of proposals to overhaul the US health care system protest on Independence Mall in Philadelphia last month. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

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Independents, college educated and seniors may oppose health care reform, but if Obama has halted his slide, congressional Democrats may be willing go for his whole health care reform enchilada.
- Karl Rove

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 30 comments

Doctor-Zaius

Oct 8, 2009 12:38 PM CDT

I agree with you, it is the best country in the world. And a public option health-care system will make it better.

Circusdog

Oct 8, 2009 12:10 PM CDT

Health care cost go up dramatically...Health insurance companies profits have increased 350% in the past 10 years. Guess who is throwing money at senators and congress. It's the American people who are getting screwed...It's like a continuous colonoscopy...Meanwhile your elected officials have free goldcard health care.

polstroad

Oct 8, 2009 11:26 AM CDT

stofpthecrap--above get over it. no one interested in getting back to you with same old tiresome thing. wrong doene by both parties. but Frank did not lie to get us into a fucking war that killed so manyh. And the issue here is not Frank or homes but health care. Rove: wrong more often than not.

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Politics • Health

health care • Congress • Karl Rove • government spending • health care reform • congressional Democrats • Max Baucus • Election 2010

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Rove: Health Care Bill Is Gift to GOP