Sunday, August 09, 2009

Newt Gingrich Defends Palin's Death Panel Comment

On This Week, Newt Ginrich and Howard Dean hashed it out (watch it here). Newt opened the show, making a very good point, but then it's all downhill from there. Gingrich makes the point that democrats need to engage the protesters better. He's right. Democrats are really being caught with their pants down. They look clueless and unengaged and unwilling to listen to the protesters. That likely just stirs up the protesters.
Gingrich makes a good argument for the other side--they have a sense that a machine is running over them. He says let them vent and "by September, we could have a genuine dialogue in this country."
George Stephanopoulos sets the record straight on Palin's ludicrous claim of "death panels." The problem is people like Newt know they're lying but the fringe doesn't. People like Newt are exploiting the fringe, who know what they know and aren't interested in facts. Sadly, all that's left of the republican party seems to be the fringe and because they're so loud, they're hogging the media.
The Obama administration needs to regroup and come at health care reform with a whole new strategy. George says one of Obama's toughest problems will be managing the left. I agree. Health care has turned into a left and right thing.