Puppeteer’s First Stop on the PR Train – Colorado

FYI, a version of the release below went out to the following districts: Betsy Markey (CO-04); Earl Perlmutter (CO-07); and John Salazar (CO-03).

Puppeteer’s First Stop on the PR Train – Colorado
Pelosi Looks to Pull Betsy Markey’s Strings on Healthcare and Defend Failed Economic Policies

Washington– The Pelosi PR train is headed to Colorado in an attempt to convince Coloradans that the Democrats seemingly failing economic policies are in fact working.  While the country wants to discuss their concerns with the Democrats’ healthcare plan, Pelosi seems to want to distract them and instead tout her dismal stimulus:

“The California Democrat is planning to tour Stout Street Clinic, a walk-in medical facility and pharmacy run by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The clinic is receiving funds from the federal stimulus package, part of which will help build electronic medical records to cut down on duplication and costs.” (Denver Post, “Pelosi to visit Denver health clinic boosted by stimulus funds,” 08/05/09)

But as Pelosi’s economic flops continue to be exposed, one can’t help but worry that the Democrats’ massive healthcare agenda may have the same fate.

“Pelosi’s trip to defend her party’s failed economic policies does nothing to direct attention away from the giant healthcare elephant in the room,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “It is obvious that Pelosi is using the stimulus as a pawn to direct attention away from dwindling support on healthcare. Coloradans need to stand up and demand answers on healthcare and their economy. With 12,500 jobs lost in the state from May to June, Coloradans should now have even more significant concerns with trusting their healthcare with the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Betsy Markey.”

As Pelosi ventures to Colorado, she will surely attempt to take control of Betsy Markey’s strings and convince her to jump on board with the Democrats’ plan to take over the healthcare industry. Unfortunately for Pelosi, Markey isn’t the only one who will need convincing. With 1.9 million jobs lost since the stimulus began and Pelosi’s misuse of stimulus spending, Americans have grave concerns that their healthcare will reach a similar fate.

“American voters, by a 55 – 35 percent margin, are more worried that Congress will spend too much money and add to the deficit than it will not act to overhaul the health care system, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today. By a similar 57 – 37 percent margin, voters say health care reform should be dropped if it adds ‘significantly’ to the deficit.” (Scrap Health Care Reform If It Adds To Deficit, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll, Quinnipiac University Poll, 08/05/09)  

“By a 72 – 21 percent margin, voters do not believe that President Barack Obama will keep his promise to overhaul the health care system without adding to the deficit, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University national poll finds.” (Scrap Health Care Reform If It Adds To Deficit, U.S. Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll, Quinnipiac University Poll, 08/05/09)  

Even Markey’s recent comments highlight her many concerns with the potential consequences that the Democrats’ massive healthcare takeover could have on the federal deficit. And after the $1 trillion dent the stimulus made on the deficit, the damage healthcare could have may be staggering:

“The cost has to be paramount. We already spend so much on health care already — it’s doubled over the last 10 years. We have got to find some savings in health care.”

“With or without a reform plan, government health costs are going to go up soon, Markey said.

“We’ve got 70 million new people coming into Medicare in the next three years, and that concerns me, how we’re going to be able to afford it,” she said.

“If the ‘public option’ is self-supporting, if it competes on a level playing field … I may be able to support it,” Markey said. “But I don’t know these things yet.”  (Longmont Times Call, During Markey visit, discussion quickly turns to health care, June 21, 2009)

But with Pelosi breathing down Markey’s neck, Coloradans are wondering: Will she fold to the demands of the Speaker or do what’s in the best interests for Coloradans and vote against her party’s massive government takeover of healthcare?

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