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Gibbs on Dean: Nobody 'Rational' Would Kill the Bill

'I don't know what legislation he's reading,' says press chief

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 16, 2009 3:46 PM CST
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(Newser) – White House press secretary Robert Gibbs fired back at Howard Dean today for encouraging progressives to kill the health care reform bill. Dean thinks the bill, without a public option, is now too compromised to deserve further support. "I would ask Dr. Dean, how better do you address those who don't have insurance: passing a bill that will cover 30 million who don't currently have it or killing the bill?"

"I don't think any rational person would say killing the bill makes a whole lot of sense at this point," Gibbs continued, notes the Huffington Post. Dean called the bill's latest incarnation a gift to the insurance industry. Gibbs contested that assessment: "If this is an insurance company's dream, I think the insurance companies have yet to get the memo."

In this Jan. 30, 2008 file photo, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean testifies before the legislature in Montpelier, Vt.
In this Jan. 30, 2008 file photo, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean testifies before the legislature in Montpelier, Vt.   (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs briefs reporters at the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs briefs reporters at the White House in Washington, Monday, Dec. 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 19 comments
sarcasticer
Dec 17, 2009 12:55 PM CST
Gibbs has some room for improvement as a press secretary.
Derni
Dec 17, 2009 12:16 PM CST
And no one rational would pass a bill that alows insurance companies the right to charge those with a pre-existing condition 300@ more for their premiums or refuse coverage-read the fine print-and yes-what about drugs from Canada-you've been teling us for years you want to make sure their safe-do you see Canadians dying in droves from taking meds? Washington a ship of fools-the American people -cattle that fail to unite together like those students of the Veitnam War era to protest this insult to our intelligence
freethemall
Dec 17, 2009 12:12 PM CST
If the majority of the people don't want single payer, that is no reason not to be for it, if you really believe in it. You should try to win the people to your point of view, not try to sneak it by them, so to speak. That's what I mean by having the courage of your convictions.

 
insurance companies • White House • Howard Dean • health care reform • Robert Gibbs • Joe Lieberman health care reform

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