Owens Still Silent After President's Healthcare Address
Owens Still Silent After President’s Healthcare Address
The Clock Ticks as Voters Demand Answers
Washington- Bill Owens has remained silent for yet another consecutive day as his party scrambles to force their reckless government healthcare takeover through Congress and onto American families. Now, after the President’s address to a joint session of Congress outlining the latest iteration of his failing healthcare agenda, Owens’ refusal to take a stance on the country’s most pressing issue is more obvious than ever. The considerable attention paid to the President’s speech only further raises the question: Why can’t Bill Owens give an answer on healthcare?
The last time Owens spoke on the topic was over a week ago, when he attempted to deflect a question about taxing employee health benefits, a proposal that could be a cornerstone of his party’s healthcare takeover:
“Federal lawmakers are considering taxing an employee’s health benefits to fund changes to the federal health-care system.”
“Mr. Owens gave no position but said it’s an idea ‘that I would have to look at very, very carefully.”’ (Jude Seymour, “Candidates for 23rd District Split on Labor Issues,” Watertown Daily Times, 8/30/09)
“Bill Owens was handed the opportunity by the President himself to finally tell central and northern New Yorkers where he stands on the hottest topic in Washington and across the country, but he still refuses to come clean with voters,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “While Owens has remained tight-lipped, support for the Democrats’ healthcare agenda has plummeted. His silence on the topic can only lead concerned voters to wonder: What exactly is Bill Owens hiding?”
In the midst of America’s hottest political and policy debate, President Obama once again detailed his plans for a faulty healthcare proposal, handing Owens a prime opportunity to speak out. Central and upstate New Yorkers are looking for an independent leader to send to Washington, but Bill Owens’ refusal to join the discussion only proves that he’s not up to the challenge.
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