Mitt Won't Own Up, but Dems Just Passed RomneyCare

Health bill is similar to Mass. plan—but don't expect Romney to admit it
By Emily Rauhala,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 23, 2010 9:44 AM CDT
Mitt Won't Own Up, but Dems Just Passed RomneyCare
Will this hurt Romney in 2012?   (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

In yesterday's press briefing, Robert Gibbs couldn't resist tweaking the GOP by noting that the health reform bill opponents like to call ObamaCare looks a whole lot like RomneyCare. "I'm sure Gov. Romney hates it every time I say that," he joked. Mitt Romney wasn't laughing— the once and future presidential candidate called passage of the bill an "unconscionable abuse of power" and called for its repeal, Politico notes.

Romney notwithstanding, the bill—in its market-driven, responsibility-based approach—has conservative DNA, David Frum points out on his blog, bemoaning the fact that the Republicans chose to oppose rather than try move it farther in their direction. But expect silence from the GOP, writes Brad DeLong for The Week. "Republicans working against the bill have been unwilling to say 'It's RomneyCare!' because they would then face the awkward question of why they did not support it." With 2012 on the horizon, that is an awkward question indeed. (More Mitt Romney stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X