| Is Rehberg just not willing to put his money where his mouth is on his opposition to health care reform or are other health care opponents fearful that a Rehberg signature could sink their repeal proposal?
After watching the latest McDonald/Rehberg debate on television Sunday, I was surprised to read this story in today's Helena IR with the headline "Economy, immigration at heart of House race." This is simply wrong. For example, it is impossible to argue that health care reform isn't a major current issue, yet the AP story didn't report on the discussion of health care reform at the "debate." I wish there were some online source I could link to...but since there isn't, those of you who watched will also remember that Rehberg also faced strong accusations from both of his opponents that he'd allowed "partisan bickering" to hold up progress in Congress.
At the accusation, Rehberg feigned a shocked face and tried to claim that he'd be happy to work with anyone who offered. Desparate to come up with an example, he was only able to think of his work with another of D.C's biggest duds, Bart Stupak, on the so-called "Northern Border Caucus." Stupak, who claims to be a Democrat, is so unpopular that more people are clamoring to take credit for his resignation than to admit they are collaborating with him on something, so it's not exactly something to brag about.
So why is it so hard for Rehberg to get others to work with him?
Perhaps Rehberg's record of failing to pass meaningful legislation prevents others from wanting to join him on a big project they actually hope will pass. Could be that his lack of legislative prowess makes his signature an albatross of sorts to a proposal. Only if by "prowess" you mean the ability to pop the top off a Bud Light Lime with one's teeth is Rehberg going to be your go-to guy.
Actions speak louder than words, and while Dennis Rehberg has shown that he'll say anything to try and score political points, he'll ultimately only do what's best for his campaign coffers, not what's best for passing legislation. For example, when it comes to putting his money where his mouth is on his opposition to health care reform, Rehberg has once again done nothing.
Nothing of substance that is. Rehberg has had no problem kicking the old "work ethic" into gear when it comes to speaking to the media and collecting campaign checks from those who want reform repealed:
Rehberg said Montana Republican legislators are right to be pushing the state's attorney general, Steve Bullock, to join 18 other states in challenging federal health care legislation. Last week, more than 70 Republicans signed a letter to Bullock, claiming to represent a majority of Montanans on the issue.
At the same time, Rehberg has refused to actually do anything about it himself by signing on to the repeal bill.
Unless of course, those wanting repeal to succeed have refused to accept his signature. |
