Even Dems Say Grayson's Nuts

Republicans still suspicious of Feb. 25 gathering

(NEWSER) - The White House today sent out invitations for its Feb. 25 health-reform summit, detailed the format for the televised proceedings, and said it would post its own proposal online ahead of time. The leaders of both parties in the House and Senate are on the list, and tasked with choosing more legislators to bring along. Per the plan—of which Republicans have been suspicious and say might keep them from attending—the event will kick off with President Obama and a member of each party speaking. More»

Apologizes to the dead, not GOP, cites US health care 'holocaust'

(NEWSER) - The Democratic congressman who belittled Republicans for promoting a health care plan that wants the ill to "die quickly" ratcheted up his rhetoric even more today. Noting that some Republicans had demanded he apologize, Florida's Alan Grayson took to the House floor with an apology of a different sort: "I apologize to the dead and their families that we haven't voted sooner to end this holocaust in America," he said. More»

President slides by on half-truths on health care: Krauthammer

(NEWSER) - Joe Wilson wasn’t quite right. President Obama doesn’t lie, exactly, writes Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post, but he still has an odd “relationship to the truth.” For example, Obama promised to veto any bill that grew the deficit, then with his very next sentence promised to require more cuts “if the savings we promised don’t materialize.” But Congress can’t be forced to do anything. "Every year since 2003, Congress has waived the cuts." More»

(NEWSER) - With the Obama administration stepping up its push for health-care reform, Mark Halperin, in Time, lists five reasons why it will, and won't, get done. The pros:

• The industry is "still on board."
• "Barack Obama doesn't fail too often."
• It's a must-win for the entire White House agenda.
• Congressional Democrats are "remarkably united" on the issue.
• There's enough big-name Republicans who want a deal.