Changing Course: Republicans Promise Limited Government
- Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:11pm by
Meredith Jessup
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Emboldened by a commanding House majority and Senate gains, Republican leaders vowed Wednesday to roll back the size of government and, in time, the nation’s sweeping health care law. President Barack Obama, reflective after his party’s drubbing, accepted blame for failing to deliver the economic security Americans demand while saying of his health overhaul: “This was the right thing to do.”
He called the election a “shellacking.”
After two years with fellow Democrats leading Congress, Obama now must deal for the rest of his term with the jarring reality of Republican control of the House, a diminished Democratic majority in the Senate and a new flock of lawmakers sworn to downsize government at every chance.
“I’ve got to do a better job,” he said, “like everybody else in Washington.” And he took responsibility for not doing enough to alter the ways of the capital, whether its hyper-partisanship or back-room dealing. “We were in such a hurry to get things done that we didn’t change how things were done.”
Republicans sounded less conciliatory in the first blush of their victories from the midterm elections Tuesday.
“Change course we will,” said Ohio Rep. John Boehner, the speaker-in-waiting, describing the outcome as a clear mandate to shrink the government. That echoed the unrelenting demand of tea party activists whose energy and votes helped to fuel the largest turnover in the House in more than 70 years.
The capital awoke — if it ever slept — to a new political order. With their lopsided win, Republicans are ushering in a new era of divided government and dethroning Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a prime target of their campaign.
Repealing the health care law, with its mandates and subsidies to extend health insurance to nearly all Americans, has been a Republican rallying cry for months but Obama, with his veto power, and the Democrats still in control of the Senate stand in the way. Several Republicans indicated their challenge to the law won’t happen overnight when they take power.
“I think it is important for us to lay the groundwork before we begin to repeal this monstrosity,” Boehner said. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who survived a tea party challenge in Nevada, said “I’m ready for some tweaking” on the health care law but would fight its repeal. Obama, too, indicated he was open to changes, saying Republicans who complain about the burden on small businesses might have a point. But he was not about to see his signature achievement unravel at its core.
In the heady election aftermath, some Republicans cautioned their own that they have work to do in building public trust when many Americans are fed up with both parties.
“We’ve been given a second chance and a golden opportunity,” said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, No. 2 Republican in the House. But, he added, “People want to see results.”
Sizing up the power shift, Reid said he wants to preserve Obama’s health care law and let taxes rise on upper income Americans, but “I’m not bullheaded.”
“If we need to work something out with the people who are really rich, I’ll have to look at that,” he said. “If there’s some tweaking we need to do with the health care bill, I’m ready for some tweaking. But I’m not going to in any way denigrate the great work we did as a country, and saving America from bankruptcy because of the insurance industry bankrupting us.”
The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, sounded anything but humble in declaring “we are indeed humbled and ready to listen.” At a news conference with Boehner, McConnell said Republicans will cooperate with the other side to the extent Democrats “pivot in a different direction.” He predicted enough Democrats may support the GOP on spending and debt matters to achieve action on that front.
Obama called Boehner to congratulate him late Tuesday. He also spoke with McConnell and top Democrats in a series of conversations that reflected the shifting balance of power. Boehner said Pelosi called and “left me a very nice voice mail” when she missed him, and they will speak later.
Incomplete returns showed the GOP picked up at least 60 House seats and led for four more, far in excess of what was needed for a majority. About two dozen races remained too close to call.
Republicans gained at least six Senate seats, and tea party favorites Rand Paul in Kentucky, Mike Lee in Utah and Marco Rubio in Florida were among their winners. Their comeback was aided by independents, who backed GOP candidates for the first time since 1998.
Not all the tea party insurgents won. Christine O’Donnell lost badly in Delaware, for a seat that Republican strategists once calculated would be theirs with ease until her stunning upset victory in the primary.
In Nevada, Reid dispatched Sharron Angle in an especially costly and contentious campaign in a year filled with them.
The GOP also wrested 11 governorships from the Democrats, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maine among them, and gave two back, California and Hawaii.
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GOP leaders’ full post-election presser:
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Comments (45)
mcFirst
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 12:29pmi had to tell my 13 year old to not count on Soc Security. He did not understand at first.
The reality is we are running trillion dollar ANNUAL deficits. I think DC is just waiting for the crash and then look surprized. OMG it was his fault.
Report Post »Mattman
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 12:09pmDoes the president think we have forgotten the ridicule and arrogance he has so often displayed in the recent past? Why should the new majority in Congress debase itself in accepting an invitation to the White House to speak of working together? Where was that spirit when the president chose to dress down Senator McCain by reminding him on national media who was elected president? Who can forget that night at a DNC fundraiser when the president, after numerous rallies across the the country by loosely bound political action groups critical of him, his administration, and his major legislative initiatives had taken place, thought it proper to humor a fawning audience by mocking and ridiculing them snidely with the words “I’ve been a little amused over the last couple of days where people have been having rallies about taxes; you would think they’d be saying thank you.” For me, the president has only shown a “readiness to ridicule” all who are critical of him or his agenda. I call it the “Obama Doctrine of Condescension.” There should be no rush to accommodate this president with anything he desires. He first needs to earn our trust but he’s never given even the slightest hint he desires it.
Report Post »kickedoutofengland
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 11:35amWhat’s their definition of “limited”? Didn‘t they say in their ’pledge to America‘ that they’ll return spending to 2008 levels? There was a lot of spending in 2008. Do they realize how drastic the spending should really be reduced? They better not half-ass this.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 10:18amYeah, well I’ll believe it when I see it.
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:37amNo ‘tweaking’ the health care–GET RID OF ALL OF IT–PERIOD! Use the 2,000+ pages for fuel when the cold weather comes, you’ll need all the warmth you can get. No passing out huge chunks of money to states that perpetuate the welfare lifestyle. Give them enough to keep their police, EMS, hospitals and schools running. No handouts for those that support big government because we the people are moving towards a more Constitutional government where the welfare state never should’ve existed. Time for ‘tough love’. Get your butts in gear, you who have your hands out demanding we the people spread our wealth to you who can do something about your situation–NOT!
Report Post »glennandlynda
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:32amStart with stopping Obama from going to the Taj! He wastes more money than any president in history, this is what he meant by change, he feels crackers owe him a living.
Get out Obama you are not wanted!!
Eliminate anyone who defends Obama’s wasteful spending.
Report Post »Slevdog1
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:06amAs long as the Rinos are in power in the Republican establishment, I don’t expect it to get any better. I’ll believe it when I see it.
Report Post »Educator
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:01amWe’ll be watching every step they take. Walk wisely, Washington
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 11:58pmThat’s all right California, we know that you don’t know any better. But in 2012 there will be even a bigger change. You and the rest of the non-believing fools and non-constitutionalists had better figure it out. We are the AMERICAN PEOPLE and we will never give up without a fight. We started this fight last night and we will keep on fighting until we get AMERICA back on our track. So either get on board or get out. There will be no compromise, you are either with us or against us. So cry if you want to but the result is going to be the same. The gays, the illegals, the unions, and all the rest of the liberal special interests groups get ready because your gravy train is going to be derailed. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 11:09pmHaley Barber was standing beside Boehner and McConnel during this press conference. Big ol’ Haley would be my choice for a presidential candidate in 2012. The guy is pure conservative, likable, sincere and sooooothing! Hb FOR pres in 2012……go Haley!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:37pmwe vote NO COMPROMISE!!
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 11:05pmUnless you can round up a veto-proof majority, or a filibuster-proof majority combined with control of the White House, an absolute “no compromise” stance is simply self-destructive.
What‘s gotten us into the mess we’re in is not so much compromises on issues, rather it’s been how many of these corrupt bastards in congress have compromised their honor and integrity.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:23pmI hate to admit that I live in California. This state is so screwed up. It just amazes me that Pot 19 did not pass, because obviously everyone who voted Boxer, Brown, Newsom etc were all stoned! The only thing to celebrate in this state is that the Giants won the World Series!
Report Post »RULISTENING
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:53pmRULISTENING
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:46pm
I absolutely do not care about all of the gains that the Republican Party made in this election……we expected that…..but they don’t represent us any more than a Democratic Party does until they prove it!!!. I am grateful that it is now a reality and it went to the right and not the left, but it is only a small step in turning around the serious damage this Administration and Congress and the far left has done. (FU Robert Gibbs) Will putting a different party in power make a lick of difference if we don’t watch them like a hawk??? (listen up, Republicans and Tea Party!!) Each individual has to be a watch dog to the people we put in power, or your vote was nothing but an excercise in feeling good about doing the right thing! It is NOT enough….NOT now…we have to do more!!!!! We still are infested by lingering far left wing zealots in the Senate and House, who fully intend to continue the subversion of our country, including the president . This man is a serious danger to you, the individual, and he will not go to the center. MARK MY WORD! He will find any method to subvert and he has 37 CZARs to override Congress and carry out his personal agenda, Soros to finance it and the Federal Reserve to make it all possible for it all to collaspe. These people do not care about the election, They expected to lose too. They care about creating a new government structure. We need to identify this enemy and destroy it……by whatever means possible (sounds like the socialist, doesn’t it???). Reid, Boxer, Waters, Frank, Waxman, Obama…all in support of unions, entitlements,socialism, bailouts and anything that will make this economy fail and shift wealth and power away from the American Ideology and fully support Obama Ideology, which is socialistic at best and Marxcist by design.. IS THIS WHAT WE WANT????!!!??? I say hell no, and I am not afraid to speak out (come and get me Media Matters).These people will not quit…..and we cannot quit either. Revolution is in the heart, not on the streets….. these people have no heart and.it is now time to revolt and if they take it to the streets, I will be there to meet them. (I dare you to come and get me, Soros……I will give you my home address so we can have a personal chat!!) it is not over, it is just the beginning.
I hate what this country is going through right now, but if I had to believe in my president (not capitialized, on purpose) or believe in my People (capitialized, on purpose)…….I believe in WE THE PEOPLE..(Come and get me MSNBC!!) I believe in GOD, (Atheist….listen up!!) I believe in my borders,(come and get me Nepolitano) my language (sue me, Pelosi) and my culture.(come and get me, La Raza) I served in the military,(hell with you, Jane Fonda) I have a college education and a Masters Degree (so be careful who you call ignorant) I have built a life based on free entereprise. I have raised and educated my children, (without government help) and I believe in my Country.(screw U, Code Pink) I stand ready to fight my enemies (as this president has said) If you want to take my beliefs, my hard work, and my life away from me, all I can say is……… bring it on….I have no fear of liberak cowards.
Report Post »Juan Gault
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:31pmI guess Nancy Polosi will be flying commercial after this vote.Saving the taxpayer over 5 million dollars a year.its a beginning.
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:55pmThe GOP didn’t technically give back two Governorships, I don’t know about the guy in Hawaii, but Arnold was clearly a ******* RINO with an R next to his name so Brown will be more of the same for CA except Brown will not pretend to be anything other than the tax and spend lib that he is.
Report Post »cotuit
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:54pmThe Constitution is the operators manual. CAUTION: Read and Understand the directions before operating, your future depends on it.
Report Post »cotuit
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:07pmPS; Please treat Rep. Braney Frank and Rep. Keating elect, like the Turds that they are.
Report Post »Velkro
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:46pmI am going to hold the Republicans to their promise! They better work towards reducing the side of government. If not, I will vote them out just as fast. The Tea Party movement will continue to move forward.
Report Post »imareader
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:44pmsick…
Report Post »‘Fed to Spend $600 Billion More To Help Boost US Economy’
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39990450
Beckofile
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:03amDon’t worry they are going to put it on your childrens credit card. No worries here.
Report Post »mamawalker
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:28pmWe must start registering new conservative voters for 2012 so we make sure Obama is out of here and doesn’t pull off another victory with a new and improved chant!
Report Post »Ricky Bobby
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:28pmI just hope to God that they remain true to their word . . . this time. One strike and they’re out !!!!
Report Post »komponist-ZAH
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:26pmI can’t believe that Nevada re-elected Reid–Attack of the Voting Dead, maybe? Or SEIU? If it’s close I would call for an investigation, but Mrs. Angle’s probably too gracious for that.
But, THANK YOU KENTUCKY!! Since Rand Paul won I might even start watching C-SPAN, just to hear him lay some REASON on the Senate.
And let’s hope that the Repubs really mean it, and bring some sanity back…
(P.S.– It’s “Speaker-Designate” Boehner. Not Speaker-Elect, or speaker in waiting.)
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:23pmThey will limit government for awhile, then they will want to start enlarging it again. We have to stay awake and on top of them. Because they will want to start regulating everything. Because they think we are too stupid to do it ourselves. I am tired of paying through the nose for people that are too laze and stoned to work and do for themselves.
Report Post »Ricky Bobby
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:23pmI just hope to God that they remain true to their word . . . this time. If not, one strike and you’re out !!!!
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:01amThey will be true to their progressive word. Don’t you worry a bit.
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:21pmRepublicans better do what We The People want or they will be gone too. Republican does not automatically mean Conservative.
Report Post »Constitution first people…if it isn’t written in The Constitution, you can’t do it!!!!!
komponist-ZAH
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:31pmYeah, we really shouldn’t celebrate too much. John Stossel’s column today offers some tempering thoughts: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=39727
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:40pmRepubs still don’t get it.
Report Post »When the choice is between burnng down your house
and not burning down your house,
there is NO compromise .
What is a compromise in such a situation anyway ?
Burning down half the house ? Using less gasoline to start the burn ?
Marxists want to burn down our houses .
THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE
I wish someone in the Republican party would start saying that
Laus Deo Too
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 5:17pmStage 1 completed, now on to phase 2 in 2012
Report Post »JJ Coolay
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 6:31pmLet’s start with San Francisco… the story about McDonalds…. TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 7:32pmHold them to their promises, they make the total efforts to do so, no problem. They dont, out the door they go.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on November 3, 2010 at 9:10pmwe will see I personally don’t trust these career congressmen, I want
Report Post »Ron Paul to reside over the Congress, John Boehner and Eric Cantor are both
involved with the MONEY CHANGERS and will never investigate the CDO fraud.
Beckofile
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 9:00amIt is really sad that the supposed conservative party had to come out and say that it was now going to support limited government. This proves that the progressive cancer is embedded in the GOP. Glenn was correct all along. Thanks Glenn
Report Post »Conservative Grinch
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 12:25pmLaus Deo Too
Phase 2 is to send the Repulicrats angry email reminding them who they work for. For example this is the congregatary email I sent out to John Boehner, and my own Congress Critter.
Congratulations on you historic win on Tuesday. However I’m afraid that my celebration must be cut short I must continual the fight against our lawless government. I hope for that your sake, that you and the Republican Party will honor our struggle to restore the US Constitution. I will not tolerate the establishment’s betrayal any longer.
Unfortunately as of yesterday that criminal Benjamin Bernanke has announced that the unconstitutional Federal Reserve plans to monetize 600 Billion dollars of our lawless government’s worthless debt. It expected that the dollar will lose twenty-percent of its value as a result
This theft by those useless criminals at the Federal Reserve cannot and must not be tolerated. The wholesale theft of the American’s savings is a fundamental human rights violation. The debauching and plunder of our currency threatens this nation’s economic, political, and social stability. I will not tolerate it.
I demand that independent groups be allowed to determine the real rate inflation for tax and social security purposes. The federal government has gained by deliberately understated the real rate of inflation. Sorry but, I don’t trust the fox guarding the hen house.
I demand that no income taxes be paid on illusionary interest income or capital gains as result of inflation. People that savings and other investments have been hurt by inflation must have their loses completely written off the taxes owed or a receive a receive from the government as compensation. Government must not allowed to be rewarded by theft.
And last of all I demand that Ben Bernanke and his Federal Reserve Cohorts stand trial for their crimes against the American People. I demand that all their wealth be confiscated and they be sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor. After all inflation robs us all and makes us slaves to those that steal from us. It is time for Ben Bernanke and Company to pay the proper restitution for their crimes.
Your quick immediate action to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely;
We won only a battle not the war. We must continual the fight.
Report Post »Jamestown
Posted on November 4, 2010 at 8:21pmNO MORE PROMISES…get off your overpaid rear end and DO WHAT YOU WERE ORDERED O DO…
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on November 5, 2010 at 8:34amYes and we can help. If you have Medicare cut your card up. If you know someone with Medicare tell them why they need to cut their card. We cannot drive down this road with people in our party sucking down a great big old socialist milkshake. We are the leaders now. Let’s let me example. Yes I know if will be hard on some of the old people. Why should they get a free ride?
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