Barney Frank: President Made a ‘Mistake’ Pushing So Hard for Obamacare
- Posted on April 16, 2012 at 2:46pm by
Becket Adams
- Print »
- Email »
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) says President Obama made a “mistake” by pushing for healthcare reform (i.e. “Obamacare”) in 2010 and suggested the White House “back off” after Democrats suffered disastrous losses during the 2010 “Red Wave” midterm elections, the Congressman tells New York magazine.
“I think we paid a terrible price for healthcare,” Rep. Frank said.
“I would not have pushed it as hard. As a matter of fact, after [Sen.] Scott Brown [R-Mass.] won [in January 2010], I suggested going back. I would have started with financial reform, but certainly not healthcare,” he added.
As for the “mistake,” Frank said President Obama and Bill Clinton made the same one:
[...]
Then Obama made the same mistake Clinton made. When you try to extend health care to people who don’t have it, people who have it and are on the whole satisfied with it get nervous.You think Obama overinterpreted his mandate with health care?
The problem with health care is this: Health care is enormously important to people. When you tell them that you’re going to extend health care to people who don’t now have it, they don’t see how you can do that without hurting them. So I think he underestimated, as did Clinton, the sensitivity of people to what they see as an effort to make them share the health care with poor people.
As many Blaze readers remember, Democrats lost 66 House seats during the November “Red Wave” and, as reported earlier on The Blaze, one study directly links those losses to support for the president’s controversial healthcare bill.
“We show that the roll-call effect on vote share was driven by healthcare reform. Democratic incumbents who voted yes performed significantly worse than those who did not,” study co-author Brendan Nyhan of Dartmouth College writes on his blog.
“We then provide simulation evidence suggesting that Democrats would win approximately 25 more seats if those in competitive districts had voted no, which accounts for the gap between the academic forecasts and the observed outcomes,” he adds.
But what about Rep. Frank’s comments? Didn’t he vote for the bill?
In a word, yes. However, it should also be noted that while Rep. Frank ultimately voted in favor of “Obamacare,” he was also a supporter of a single-payer health care system.
“I’m for single payer, which I think Medicare has shown is the best system. I will accept as second best a very good public option which, by the way, when the conservatives say will lead to a total public plan, they are conceding our point, namely that people will find that there is a better level of care,” Rep. Frank said during an appearance on MSNBC’s The Ed Show.
But keep in mind that even though he advised the White House to “back off” healthcare and threw his weight behind a single-payer system, this is the same guy who roundly condemned Republican opposition to the bill — all of which seems a little inconsistent.
For instance, back in March, 2010, Rep. Frank actually compared Republican opponents of “Obamacare” to bullies responsible for teen suicides (via YouTube):
“But you’ve seen these thuggish tactics that have been employed with encouragement from some, not all obviously, Republican leaders,” Rep. Frank said during a March, 2010 episode of the Rachel Maddow Show.
And that’s a very disappointing, undermining the – I used to say, Rachel, you know, in Massachusetts, they just passed a very good bill unanimous, Democrats and Republicans, to try and prevent junior high school kids and high school kids from being bullied from the name-calling, et cetera
And that’s going on in a lot of places in the country. We have suicides from young people who have been bullied. What do they see if they watched television over the weekend? Adults doing the same kind of bullying and Republican leaders are cheering on the bullies.
The story has been updated.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 690 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 660 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 524 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 363 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 331 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 214 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 228 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 214 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (199)
DrFrost
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:35pmForget the following for a second:
1) It’s unconstitutional.
2) We can’t afford it.
3) There’s a tremendous amount of garbage in this bill which has no relation whatsoever to healthcare.
You‘re still left with the fact that the vast majority of American’s were strongly opposed to this. So it sort of goes without saying that there’s going to be a cost. Of course, if enough dead people vote they might make up for it…. Quick! More funding for our old ACORN friends…. under whatever new name they’ve going by now!
Report Post »Madmadgrandma
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:03pmThank you Dr. Frost for your chillingly suscinct observations…Perfect!
Report Post »openlygaycommie
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:04pmYes Dr. frosty, I see your point. Plus, health care is not for poor people anyway..we need more weapons systems and HUGE missiles aimed right at Russia and all the Muslim caliphate countries, huh? We cannot afford to do for our citizens what every other developed country does…what are we, prosperous? Shoot, I think uncontrolled diabetes and autism keep them minorities in check..along with keeping the poor working for that next check to pay for medicine and clinic visits.
BlenGeck
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:21pmHis Gayness mr frag had a moment of normalness. Who woulda thunk it?
Report Post »2smart
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:28pmDodd-Frank is another bill that contains a tremendous amount of garbage and we can’t afford it either.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:28pmOpengaycommie
Report Post »Great post,(Bleeding heart hanky stomper) even though we spend more on social programs then the 4% of GDP we spend on defense.
Try thinking within the realm of individual responsibility and you may get somewhere.
cessna152
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:31pm@openlygaycommie,
Why does our tax money need to go to 50% of the nation? Please tell where this has ever worked? Freedom and the Innovation of the FREE human being over the course of America has changed life on the entire planet for GOOD! What has Communism done? Every invention, medicine and innovation we have was discovered from free thinking people. We leaped 5000 years over the past 200 because man could think outside the box.BTW, poor in America means you have a house, cable and only one car. Keep going the Communism route and poor will be mud huts, starvation and tyrannical government killing the innocent. That’s what you support…treasonous enemy. I have NO tolerance for someone that destroys my freedom!
Report Post »CaptMickeyd
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:35pmHey Commie, if we didn’t have those missiles aimed at the enemy, we probably wouldn’t have to worry about healthcare, because the Cold War Russians didn’t care how many of us would die. And if we didn’t worry about those Islamic countries, we probably wouldn’t have to worry about healthcare, because if they don’t care about strapping bombs on their children, they probably won’t care about our children getting healthcare either when they force sharia on us. Just my two pennies…
Report Post »little big man
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:37pmHey for once in barneys life he got one right.
Report Post »Yep Barney come Nov we are going to make dmocrats pay once again, not to mention the SC is about to throw out obummercare.
00gabooga
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:59pmThe only reason those other countries CAN afford to shower their people with health care ( and by the way, they‘re starting to find out that they can’t really afford that either ) is BECAUSE good ol’ Uncle Sam is here to foot the bill for defending most of the free world.
Report Post »Bum thrower
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:05pmThe ‘Dems/Progressives/Socialists’ aka political elites need it (Obamb-care) to kill off the ‘baby boom’ generation. They (the politicians) stole our SS and Medicare by putting the money into the general fund; we are retiring so we aren‘t the big ’tax generating’ machine we used to be, so now they gotta get rid of us or there will be hell to pay………that is to say to pay US..
VOTE EVERY last ONE of them out in 2012!!! NEVER elect a Democrat for ANYTHING; they lie; they cheat; and they will steal you blind.
Report Post »MittensKittens
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:14pmI can’t believe for once something smart came out of his mouth instead of hot air coming out of his a$$.
Report Post »sknight
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 9:31pmopenlygaycommie: Every “Modern” country that provides health care for their people have a few things in common.
Report Post »1. They depend on the US military to keep them safe.
2. They are quickly going broke.
3. Long waiting lines.
Zipit
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 9:33pmMittens, mittens, mittens! It’s the big Johnson stuffed in his mouth that usually prevents us from understanding anything that he has to say. Good and bad the way I see it!
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 10:34amAs I recall, Barn, it was congress that pushed so hard for obangos StalinCare that they couldn’t even pass it using traditional means. Never mind taking the time to read it.
Old Barney, throwing obango under the bus.
I’ll tell you Barney, I would really like to see you prosecuted for your part in the failure of the housing markets and dereliction of your Fannie and Freddie regulatory responsibilities.
Report Post »AZRACISTBIGOT
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 4:04pmOBummer wasn’t the only one pushing hard. Harry an Nancy twisted their fair share of arms to get Obummercare passed. Ol Barney speaks and tweets well from both ends.
Report Post »FlowerBell
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:34pmThe precipice creeps closer by the day.
Report Post »Democrat heads continue to spin out of control.
Exploding heads to follow.
FlowerBell
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:14pmI‘m old enough to know I don’t really know anything and yet I am still afforded the freedom of my own opinion, as are you.
Report Post »Buggar off.
antiencenom
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:54pmMaybe a little off topic :
Report Post »Every time I watch ol Barney I have weeks of nightmares of ol Barneys pu55face !
Paul
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:31pmHey ! Daffy got one right !
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:30pm“When you try to extend health care to people who don’t have it, people who have it and are on the whole satisfied with it get nervous.”
Report Post »All of you haters that have health care and don’t want anyone else to have health care, Shame on you!
You should want to work extra hours after providing for your own family so that you can pay for those that don’t find work appealing.
FlowerBell
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:46pmThat is exactly right.
Report Post »The Democrat angle is to give the unproductive freebies for their vote.
All the freebies are paid for by working Americans.
Democrats operate to the detriment of working Americans.
barnsy
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:51pmKumbuya,Neofan…I hope your kidding. Your 40 year old lib talking points are are laughable.Im sorry for jabbing you if are under the age of 18.Your arguments are on a teen level.If your not kidding and are over 18 you need to really smarten up.There are other (smarter) trolls on this site but you are by far the most uninfirmed,clueless joke of a troll I have read so far.
Report Post »thunder4570
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:04pmThere really should be a sarcasm key on the board, any idiot can see that NEOFAN was being sarcastic!
Report Post »gperky
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:08pmThe fact is that I know several people personally that are only working because they need health care. If they could get free health care, how many people would quit working? I think that is a question that we need to ask.
Report Post »We do need some type of health care reform in America. Health care costs have gone out of site. There needs to be affordable health care for as many as possible but certainly not free. I find it appaling that a hospital charges $500 for two Tylenol tablets and I understand why but that is what needs to be addressed, not just making me pay for Joe Blow that doesn’t like to work!
NeoFan
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:16pmYes it was in fact sarcasm. The quote at the beginning of my comment is Barney Franks effort to blame the people paying for HealthCare for the people that are not paying for it. Typical lib logic like blaming victims of crime for being the cause of crime. Sad thing is that this reasoning works on many people.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:49pmNEO:
Report Post »Your post went right over BARNSEY’S head. He thought you said jump and BOING! BOING! That was funny.
barnsy
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 5:59pmApologies to Neofan…..Didnt read first sentence clearly…MY Bad!
Report Post »conservativedoc
Posted on April 22, 2012 at 10:55amReally? So the “non-haters” can get something for nothing? Who decides how much of our hard earned money you get? In Texas we got a name for that. It’s called theft. We have a remedy for that too. It’s called a gun.
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:29pmBarney is RIGHT when he says a public option would lead to government insurance, but he is WRONG about the reason WHY.
Every enterprise government involves itself in, it eventually detrimentally impacts financially.
That is because it doesn’t need to Earn or Deserve ANY of the money it appropriates for said enterprise. It simply dominates the industry much as any Big Business in a Fascist State, because it DICTATES EVERYTHING. In the case of medicare and medicaid, it controls COST, COVERAGE, CONDITIONS, AND RULES.
The minute the government is involved, it has an IMMEDIATE MONOPOLY!
Report Post »FlowerBell
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:51pmWhich would be fine if the government were on the side of good, working Americans,
Report Post »but they are proving themselves to be just the opposite.
cookcountypatriot
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:29pmbuh buh buh bawney youwl hole pawty is a fawilure
Report Post »phunkejay
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 6:55pmdon’t forget the “slurp, slurp” sound effect.
very funny – made me laugh good
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:27pmBawny didn’t see it coming and got rear ended.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:33pmYou bad. Lol.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:40pmPresident Made a ‘Mistake’ Pushing So Hard for Obamacare….while Barney was pushing so hard on other things…Just sayin’.
Report Post »grimmy
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:42pm@Hickory.
Report Post »How would he know he got “rearended”?;p
Obama Snake Oil Co
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:43pmI noticed the guy tryed to pack a stool for him……
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:27pmI think ol’ Barney wishes he was America and Obama could push hard with his “agenda”.
Report Post »tomacz
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:27pmits yaow baby bawney,now feed juniowr
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:25pmThis sounds like Pelosi’s extra loooong gavel is in order.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:35pmAm I wrong, but is Barney’s butt hole sitting just under his nose?
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:57pm@black lmao!!!!!
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:46pmThat makes ATM so much simpler.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:23pmGo AWAY Barney Fwank!!! “Thug tactics” taught by Chicago Thugs…right Barry?
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:28pmSo losing a few seats is a terrible price.
Report Post »Tell us ******* Frank WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THE PRICE AMERICA PAID WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BLOCK BUSH FROM REFORMING FANNIE AND FREDDIE.
IF LOSING SOME SEATS IS TERRIBLE WHAT DO YOU CALL BEING ON THE FRONT LINE HELPING DESTROY THE ENTIRE AMERICAN ECONOMY.
WHAT DO YOU CALL BILL CLINTON CRA MANDATE THAT IS AT THE EPICENTER OF OUR ECONOMIC COLLAPSE.
WHAT DO CALL THE MEDIA HIDING AND COVERING FOR ALL OF YOU MF’ERS
db321
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:39pmHousing was Barney’s hook for making him and his friends rich – Heath Care – is Obama’s hook to becoming the “Leader of the World.”
Barney didn’t care about helping families get affordable homes – and Obama doesn’t care if anyone ever gets Heath Care – both are hooks to get what they want!
I guess now Barney won’t be speaking at the Democratic National Convention – All they have to speak is Debbie Wassermann Schultz, Hillary and Nancy Polosi. What a line up! Sorry, I’m going to miss it – I have to clean my Garage!
Report Post »MCDAVE
Posted on April 17, 2012 at 12:34amThanks JOHNJAMISON …Franks Belongs in jail for his crimes
Report Post »Ravings of a lunatic planet
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:21pmBlah, blah and more blah………………..The idiots of Mass. voted for this pig over and over again……..so do we really give a rats a&& what his opinion is now……..he voted in favor of every thing our POS President through at them prior to the House being taken back…………..Hey Barney…..go home and be a good little wife……..husband?……nah, I think you take and not give……..sweet fella……fy.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:39pmIt is not kind to insult our porcine friends by associating them with the likes of Barney Frank.
Report Post »Ravings of a lunatic planet
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 4:01pmI apologize BlackYB….Things do go better with pork, but not with Barney! :)
Report Post »OKNative
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:18pmBarney Franks is momentarily for anything that he perceives will get him re-elected!
Report Post »wboehmer
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:24pmThankfully, Representative Barney Frank (D) of Massachusetts, who has served for 16 terms, will not seek reelection.
Report Post »BreeZee
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:28pmWould this guy please hurry and go away. Hey Barney get a clue, the constant rise in bullying and violence is a direct result of the progressive lefts vision that has been enacted for the past sixty years. Most all the crap America is facing is due to the lefts liberal assinine policies that didn’t and don;t work.
**If you vote for BHO, you are to blame**
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:41pmOr poked?
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:18pmFrank should be in prison for all the corruption he’s been involved with over the years,wait he would like that a little too much, well then send him to a female prison.
Report Post »Onowicit
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 10:35pm@progressiveslayer
Report Post »I was about leave a response. I read yours,and totally agree word for word. Can you imagine the horrors of a women’s prison for this guy. I shutter.
Glock31
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:17pmhe’s such a ***
Report Post »Infidel49
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:16pmWhat about Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac you ****?
Report Post »Rpfoster
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:15pmMedicare is the best system? It is about to go bankruot. Wait wait I forgot. That is how democrats measure success
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:14pm“I think we paid a terrible price for healthcare,” Rep. Frank said.
Report Post »~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>There’s that “WE” thing again.
marine249
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:49pmhe has a turd in his pocket book
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 9:10pmLOL, Marine. I bet when bwaney’s “**** alone”, he sings into one too. It gives a whole new meaning to the terms ‘scat vocals’ and ‘swallowing the mic’.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:14pmLOL .. not because it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL right Barney … I got another rate increase on the 2 year anniversary!
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:18pmcome on CATB…Barney’s boyfriend was running a brothel from their apartment…as if Barney cares about any laws.
Report Post »MBA
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:32pmHis boy/girl friend was also growing weed in the back bedroom which ole barn knew nothing about! Kinda like what he knows about freddy, fanny, and healthcare. Oh wait, he knew the dope was in the back bedroom!
Report Post »JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:14pmYa think? You a ss wipe sissy…………………..
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:04pmIs it me, or is Barney the spitting image of Mr. Magoo…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:12pmSounds like him too … Mr. Magoo should sue.
Report Post »SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:18pmWhat did Mr McGoo ever do to you?
Report Post »JAMACAMECRAZYMAN
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:18pmOle Barney has got the gooooo alright
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:19pmthis from one of our great legislators that helped bring about the real estate bubble…among other things
Report Post »spirited
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:20pmPlease………………….Don’t insult Mr. Magoo.
<Barney is clearly a spitting image.
Report Post »Sunnyy
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:25pmHa! funny
Report Post »johnjamison
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:30pmNo but he does swallows Mr.Magoo
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 2:58pmI’m for single payer, which I think Medicare has shown is the best system. I will accept as second best a very good public option which, by the way, when the conservatives say will lead to a total public plan, they are conceding our point, namely that people will find that there is a better level of care,” Rep. Frank said during an appearance on MSNBC’s the Ed Show.
Excuse me isn’t Medicare going bankrupt. What is it demorats can’t see here ?
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:08pm@Pap Pap – the democrats are so caught up in their own lies they no longer can easily distinguish reality from insanity; to them the illusions and delusions they try to craft and spin are reality which for the rest of the real world meas we wind up suffering their insane ideology shoved upon us.
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:17pmPoor PAP PAP. Spouting what you hope is the truth rather than the actual truth. The truth is that under national health, private health becomes even more expensive. This the case in Australia, Great Britain..etc. Furthermore your “better level of care” is a complete falsehood. In fact what happens under national health is that health care is rationed and the level of care actually drops, not improves. You’re an idiot.
Report Post »SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 3:24pmI’ll support you for single payer as long as you are the single doing the paying…But I think you mean you want me to be the single paying for you huh?
Report Post »Mark0331
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 2:55pmBarney mentions financial reform….anybody who takes any financial advice from Barney Frank needs a straightjacket…affter destroying Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he has the gaul to even utter the word ‘financial’…shameless and arrogant is no way to go through life, go eat some more marbles Barney.
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 2:55pmBawney, is that a threat? Are you a racist? Amazing, these guys will say whatever to get public approval. Dopes…
Report Post »righthanddrive
Posted on April 16, 2012 at 2:48pmWe the people should continue to demand the arrest and conviction of Barney, Chris, Schumer, and all those involved in the ‘roll the decide’ decision re: Fannie/Freddie.
Report Post »