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Firebrand Reps. Bachmann And Grayson Go Mild On King

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Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson wonders if Dick Cheney collaborates with Satan and throws around the word “Holocaust” when discussing the other side’s health care plans. Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann has Super Bowls of Freedom and holds Prayercasts to stop the health care bill.

So when they faced off on Larry King Live last night, why was it so…calm?

“My esteemed colleague from Minnesota is entirely wrong,” said Grayson early in the debate, which was billed in the lower third as a “Health Care Showdown.” But beyond that, it stayed entirely focused on the key points from each side. “Why can’t you come together on this?” asked King, as each member of Congress stuck strong to their talking points.

The one point of contention came when Bachmann asked about why the White House gave a “judgeship to a brother of a member of Congress,” while Pres. Obama was “twisting his arm” about his health care vote. (Politico sheds more light on this.) Grayson called it a “weapon of mass distraction” while Bachmann cut in: “Corruption isn’t a distraction, corruption is an issue, we need to know if he’s corrupt.”

CNN has made it a point to continue as the only non-partisan, hard news cable news network during prime time hours. But it doesn’t mean there can’t be some fireworks when two very partisan (and previously unafraid to go a little off the talking points reservation) guests come on to debate an issue both are certainly passionate about. King kept each in check, and the result was a reasoned, but talking point-filled discussion. Maybe with the health care bill almost reaching a boiling point, this is the tone each side wants to set. But it wasn’t the showdown anyone expected.

Here’s the interview:

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  • The Real Royal King

    I’m sorry I missed that. Two of the biggest loons in Congress.

  • blueblogger

    Hey RRK don’t pick on my rep. If you lived in Florida you would be glad for anything you can get. Grayson is a hero down here. After having to live with Bill Posey and the birther bill he proposed in Congress we are glad to have Grayson.

  • The Real Royal King

    If you lived in Florida you would be glad for anything you can get. Grayson is a hero down here. After having to live with Bill Posey and the birther bill he proposed in Congress we are glad to have Grayson.

    I feel your pain, Blueblogger. Although I have a great representative, Lloyd Doggett, I have two of the worst senators in the nation and the worst governor.

  • Richard Riker

    Al Grayson sure doesn’t lack for hutzpa. He shows himself the consummate politician, he can look straight at you and “LIE”. I would think even he’d be tired of using his phantom statistics. Doesn’t he read the pols? Nearly 70% of Americans don’t want Obamacare, I see he uses Michael Moores’ figures on infant mortality, doesn’t he know that those figures have been proven just plain wrong or doesn’t he even care. I’ll vote the later. His other statistics are also inaccurate but they bolster his position for toeing the party line. This is no representative, Al is a party flunky that will be replace by conservative Republican Patricia Sullivan and we, the residents, of the 8th district can’t wait.

  • tjl

    Oh Richard… someone watches a little too much Fox News. Give it a rest, buddy. Go back to F(R)NC and get some more talking points for us. Speaking of “phantom statistics”, I love that 70% “poll” you cite. Even wing-nut Scott Rasmussen has it at 44/52 and that’s with a heavy lean “right.” I’m bored of this “repeat what Fox News tells me” canned response. Enjoy your freedom of speech at the expense of freedom of thought….

    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform

  • kws

    I personally can’t wait until Grayson is voted out of office because the people WILL replace him with Patricia Sullivan. She is someone who will listen to the concerns of the people in her district AND will fight against big government. She has my vote!

  • George F.

    Congressman Buffoon Grayson is wrong on every issue. He is a progressive elitist, complicit in the destruction of this countries founding principles. We The People are awakened now and will redirect this fine nation back to its founders intent. We will do it one seat at a time in each district and in the 8th Congressional District in Florida Grayson will be replaced by Patricia Sullivan come November. http://WWW.PATRICIASULLIVANFORCONGRESS.COM is the place to learn more about this citizen patriot.

  • mountdoravoter

    Grayson has proved once again that he does not have the preferences and priorities of his Florida constituents at heart. He is just “going along” with the extreme leftist wing of his party, as a good lackey should. He need to go! We need someone who will truly represent us and return the voice of Florida’s 8th district to Congress. My vote goes to Patricia Sullivan, who understand that Floridians, like the majority of Americans, do not want Government-run health care.

  • tjl

    She’s not a “patriot.” What has she done to “defend” this country? I love how loosely people toss that word around. From her web-site:

    Patriot, Not Politician

    Patriots love their country so much that they willingly take action to protect it. When Congress passed the largest spending bill in our country’s history in February, 2009, Patricia responded. She co-organized the North Lake TEA Party in hopes that fifty like-minded individuals would join her. On April 15, over 1,000 came to align their hearts and voices.

    …. Really? I throw parties all the time with like-minded people. Is that me doing my duty to defend this country? Well, shit, call me Captain America then! This woman is a fraud. Read her bio. It’s embarrassing that someone like this can run for office — she has an AA from Community College, is married, has a balanced checkbook, goes to church, and gets like-minded people to hang out together. Yawn. Good luck with Ms. Sullivan.

  • ImNotBlue

    tjl says:
    March 4, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    Wow… you’re really angry today. Whatsamatter? Huuuuug!

    Oh, and “patriot” doesn’t have to be someone who literally fights for their country… that’s simply not true.

    As for the rest of your garbage… er… “argument”… you’re simply showing why people look at folks like you and use the words: “elitist,” “nasty,” “uninformed,” and “rude.” I guess we could also add: “living up to expectations,” but perhaps that would be too snarky.

  • tjl

    Lover, tell me again how she “defended” her country and where I said that she had to “literally fight.” Is getting a group of people together patriotic? You can’t tell me that you — someone with an education — is accepting throwing the word patriot around like that. No matter how tea baggy you are, you can’t defend that.

    F’ it! I’m a goddamn patriot. An elitist patriot, but a patriot nonetheless.

    And my garbage…er…”argument” is that she’s done nothing to show that she is capable of running for office. Listen, NotIntoGirls, if you want my job you can come and take it. You may not be qualified, but you’re a so-called patriot and that’s good enough for me! Bullshit. And you know you’re wrong and just looking to pick a fight.

    And please “inform” me about this woman. Sell me on her.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Janette-Riffle/1593577980 Janette Riffle

    “We are going to have a health care bill, because that’s what America needs and that’s what the President wants.”
    The problem with this statement Mr. Grayson, is that you left somebody out. What about what Americans want? The majority of Americans don’t want this health care bill, yet it is being forced through without stopping to consider that.
    You keep overlooking that aspect of every bill you vote on. Cap and Trade was the same way. The majority of your constituents did not want you to vote for it and you struck a deal on the floor and voted for it.
    Yes, tjl, lots of people have lots of experience as politicians, but that doesn’t work anymore(no matter how many big boy cuss words you know). We need people that care about the American people, not their careers. That is why Patricia Sullivan has my vote in November. It doesn’t matter if you make fun of her or the tea party. Heck, the tea party has been made fun of by the best of them(President), but they [TP] don’t care. The founding fathers would be proud of them and that’s all that matters. Can you say “Anger Management”?

  • tjl

    You’re a peach, Ms. Riffle. And you’re right. No one needs any experience to do anything nowadays. That’s why I’m going to the hospital this afternoon to perform surgery. Not because I’m a doctor but because I care about people and once got 50 people together to watch Grey’s Anatomy!

    And unfortunately, just because the constituents “don’t want it” doesn’t mean that’s the right thing to do. I’d rather not put my faith in people like you. I think the elected officials BY THE PEOPLE can speak for us.

    Vote for someone who “cares about you.” That’s your right. But that also makes you wrong. If experience doesn’t matter to you, well I will say this in words that only someone who needs “anger management” would say — good luck.

    Cap and trade, health care, gun rights, whatever it is you “care” about… I care about the education system in this country. And it’s clear to me (given some of the responses above and the fact that Ms. Sullivan is running for office) your district should care about education as well.

    Good luck with your patriot party.

  • ImNotBlue

    tjl says:
    March 4, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    Lover, tell me again how she “defended” her country and where I said that she had to “literally fight.”

    Well… who said she “defended” her country? Oh, that’s right… YOU said she “didn’t defend” her country… arguing a point that nobody made. So I suppose the question comes back to you! As for “literally fighting,” isn’t that what you were suggesting when you asked “what has she done to defend” her country? Again, you tell me.

    Is getting a group of people together patriotic?

    Well, it depends on what you’re doing. If you’re getting them together to sell Tupperware, perhaps not (although, as we learned with the Stimulus bill… everything supports the economy, and that’s why we need to spend gobs of money to help a relatively few people). But if you’re organizing a protest, or a political movement, perhaps it is. In the quote you provided, it said she organized 1,000 people… almost like a community organizer. Heck, I guess that means she’s qualified to be President!

    You can’t tell me that you — someone with an education — is accepting throwing the word patriot around like that.

    Patriot is simply someone who loves, supports, and works to make their country better. I think you’re confusing “patriot” and “hero,” but they’re different. What, to you, is the definition of a patriot?

    No matter how tea baggy you are, you can’t defend that.

    Again… thinking about my man parts. Yeesh… get your mind out of my pants. I’m still not interested.

    F’ it! I’m a goddamn patriot. An elitist patriot, but a patriot nonetheless.

    I honestly can’t argue that you’re not! You’re doing what you think is best for this country, supporting your ideas and beliefs. Now, I could argue that some of your tactics are against the American way of respect and free speech… but I don’t think I could make a cohesive argument that you’re not doing what you’re doing for patriotic reasons.

    And my garbage…er…”argument” is that she’s done nothing to show that she is capable of running for office.

    Yes, she’s a Republican, and you believe that disqualifies her. Got it.

    Listen, NotIntoGirls,

    Weren’t you the one who just a day or two ago whined that I called you “gay” (even though I didn’t). Man, I hope you’re on medication for whatever it is you’ve got.

    if you want my job you can come and take it.

    Um… what?

    You may not be qualified, but you’re a so-called patriot and that’s good enough for me! Bullshit. And you know you’re wrong and just looking to pick a fight.

    What in the hell are you talking about?

    And please “inform” me about this woman. Sell me on her.

    I know nothing about her, don’t live in Florida, and don’t really care. However, that doesn’t preclude me from calling out your foolish and factless statements, which are based upon egotism, elitism, and pure anger for anyone who disagrees with you. You want to know more… do some research.

  • grandma gail

    Education is very important, where has government run healthcare worked? Where has all the lawyers and fancy professors of constitutional law gotten us thus far? What is the true cost of this Government run Healthcare bill? Have things gotten better in the past few years of Progressive thinking in office? I think not. I pay my way and think we can do better, what is the rush? We need change in health care we all agree on that, why the massive 2600 page bill… Have you read it? so you understand it? are you really qualified to say lets go with that? No its not complete be aware of the intended takeover of the few rights you have left. Did you hear Andy SEIU guy? We will take your Farms we will take your FREEDOM!!!! Wake up America, this is going to bankrupt America so yes Please do Educate yourself before you get on this blog talking how wonderful Grayson and government takover of Healthcare is. We think people should have control not government. If you want government to rule your life….. move to lets say CHINA! If you want to continue to enjoy Freedom Stand for Freedom. Our Government is out of control…. OH its TEA TIME ALRIGHT time for Kool-aid is over………..patriciasullivanforcongress.com learn about how you can help your future.

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