Rep. Alan Grayson is not backing down. The Florida Democrat who delivered the floor speech mocking Republican health care "reform" and advised people not get sick and "die quickly", did give the Republican outrage machine an "apology." It was not the one they were looking for.
The congressman said: "I’m not going to recount every single thing that I said, but I will point out that immediately after that speech, several Republicans asked me to apologize. Well, I would like to apologize. I would like to apologize to the dead. And here’s why. According to this study, 'Health Insurance and Mortality in U.S. Adults' which was published two weeks ago, 44,789 Americans die every year because they have no health insurance."
He then defended both speeches on CNN's The Situation Room: "I'm saying what everyone is thinking. I'm not going to apologize. The Republicans should apologize to America." Grayson said "Democrats have to have guts" and called the obstructionist Republicans "knuckle-dragging neanderthals.
Wolf Blitzer and Gloria Borger were clutching their pearls. In their hermetically sealed post partisan myopia, they really really believe Republicans want health care insurance.
Fearless. We need more Democrats like this. Donate to Grayson's ACT Blue.
Watch both clips, WHEN YOU JUMP.
If the apologies were truly genuine and change were to happen because of them, I'd say yes, apologize. Since we know that is not the case, my question is why have them go through the motions?
Just publicly embarass them to lower their popularity with the gen pop to ensure that they lose the next election. (just a thought...)
Posted by: CC | 01 October 2009 at 11:38
Yes Virginia, there is a Democrat with a spine.
Lou Dobbs on CNN is a lyin' ho. Yesterday he played the original clip then said Grayson later apologized. He conveniently left out what was really said. Shouldn't Lou be on FOX NEWS?
Posted by: Otis | 01 October 2009 at 11:40
GRAYSON IS MY NEW HERO!!!
YIPPEE!!! GO BOY!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 01 October 2009 at 11:55
On that note.. I don't think that Joe Wilson should have apologized.. Just a thought..
Wilson DIDN'T apologize.
Big difference between insulting the president on the floor of the Congress (forbidden) and using sarcastic language (allowed). If you'd like, I'm more than happy to post videos of Republicans in Congress saying health care reform will "kill" people or they will be allowed to do "die." Many have. Just a thought. -RM
Posted by: Kalik | 01 October 2009 at 12:44
About time someone stood up to those FOOLS and told the truth instead of using hate and scare tactics to stall the process. I really wish more Democrats would follow suite and stop trying to appease the republicans who could care less about the poor and folks who need help in this country i.e...minorities and poor whites alike. I wish I could give him a hug and LOU DOBBS is a racist that's right I said it!!!
Posted by: BLACK | 01 October 2009 at 12:46
WOW! He shut them DOWN so HARD!! I was cheering at the TV! He was so on point and just dismantled everyone at that table. Obama needs to listen to this man.
Posted by: Isis | 01 October 2009 at 12:57
Aren't they tired of the same act and rhetoric all the time?
-Republican or right-wing extremist acts out
-Attention-needing liberal savior gets on the air and professes that "republicans need to apologize"
-Left-wingers get and applaude
-Republican or right-wing extremist does it again
-....
Posted by: tete | 01 October 2009 at 14:28
Good for him, its about time someone told it like it is with the GOP hate machine, since it seems few of the others in the DNC are willing to do so, including Obama who is as 'ascarit' of the GOP as a child and the boogyman.
Posted by: Luther | 01 October 2009 at 15:47
Good to see a liberal with some balls 4real...besides Nancy Pelosi ( though i think hers are tucked somewhere...she's the truth), im hoping this is the first of the many signs that real Dems start pushing back and tell the truth.
Posted by: Quest | 01 October 2009 at 16:48
YES!!!! TOTAL OVAHNESS WERKKK GRAYSON!
Everytime I watch the full clip over @ Crooks and Liars I get total life.
Alan stand up for us and we'll stand up for you. And YES Act Blue will get a donation from me!
TOTAL FABULOUSITY!
The Hell with those Rethugfooligans!
Posted by: MRCHOCOLATE615 | 01 October 2009 at 16:55