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  • Clinton Pays Visit, But Healthcare Bill Not Likely This Year

    Former President Bill Clinton traveled to Capitol Hill Tuesday to push his colleagues to do something he could not do in 1993-94 -- pass a healthcare overhaul bill.

    It was clear that Clinton still has the power to mezmerize Dems.  Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD, emerged positively bubbling over with effusive praise of the former president.

    A number of participants afterward said Clinton urged them to complete a bill ASAP, because if they do not they will become defined by the defeat.

    The former president, a student of politics, told his fellow Dems that 'not getting it done is not a good political option' -- and that if they do get it done, 'The public will see the sky didn't fall down.'  Cardin said the later was a "near quote."

    It seems almost impossible for Congress to get a bill to President Obama's desk this year. Members will be off for the rest of the week in observance of Veteran's Day.  The Senate's number 2 Dem, Dick Durbin of Illinois, told reporters, "Our goal is to make sure it is out of the Senate this year...I wish we could complete it this year. But if we don't, we will get it done."

     Clinton, for his part, emerged and said he told Dems, "This is an economic imperative," remembering the days just after he left office when there was a surplus.

    "I just urged them to resolve their differences and pass a bill," Clinton told reporters.

    Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, said Clinton told Dems they should get healthcare done and immediately follow that with work on jobs and the ballooning budget deficit, both topics of highest interest to voters at the polls Nov. 3.

    Cardin said Clinton told the gathering that energy is where the job growth is.

    Nearly all 60 Dems attended Tuesday's policy lunch in the Mansfield Room on the 2nd floor of the U.S. Capitol. Clinton was invited by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Dan

They are threatening the Dems behind closed doors and making promises that probably won't be kept, as in Rep. Chao's case. Poor guy, new Repub and his career is virtually over. Perhaps he should have stayed in Vietnam. We need a miracle because I think by hook or crook, more crook they will do this to us. Costa Rica is look'n might good about retirement time, if I have any savings left.

November 13, 2009 at 6:30 pm

fatherdon

The Dems.are really in trbl.with Health Care for us,not for them.They even invited Clinton to talk at their policy lunch.President O'Bama should pay more attention when he sees the Clintons in the bull pen,warming up.Hillary in for Obama,It's coming.The Clinton advance team already in place.No honor among thieves. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

November 11, 2009 at 6:10 pm

jwjw1

psssst! how about creating jobs first and getting the economy in line and stop printing money..then people will be able to afford to buy some type of healthcare..unless this useless congress is going to pass another unemployment extention that includes free healthcare and print more money....get real Bill and your mind off Monica. Were not going to allow you to stain the dress of Americans.

November 11, 2009 at 5:25 pm

Rob

What will become of all of us who have diligently worked our whole lives in the Health Insurance filed? laid off? collecting unemployment, if it's there? but hey, you have to look a the bright side, we will have health care!! Save the planet? Please, save the USA first!

November 11, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Scott

At his little meeting he called the tea party protesters tea baggers, basically an immature sexual insult. I would say beneath the office he held but we all know this from a pergerer who was removed from the bar in his own home state and impeached at least by one house of congress, for that he still blames conservatives but all he needed to do was tell the truth and stand up like a man instead of an adultering immature arrogant selfish jerk. He tells them to vote for the bill regardless of...

November 11, 2009 at 2:19 pm

carl vaida

i have no idea what the american people are doing, he has no idea what he is doing to the country.he is takeing us to a socialist state we need to read the constution we are going tohell jn a handbasket change you congressman get someone who knows what is going to of america

November 11, 2009 at 11:04 am

shanti gala

Hi Fox, S.O.S. We need to save our wonderful country. Please continue to help!!! You guys should pound the ideas of how the democrats will try to squeeze this bill in. We need to educate the public on how a final no vote does not mean that the senators did not vote for it initially. Please talk about and emphasize how they will manipulate the 60 vote versus final 51 vote methods. The moderates on the fence have to feel the pressure of initially voting no!!! I am suspicious that the dems...

November 11, 2009 at 1:18 am

Simil Gala

I think fox should talk about how Obama is going to use the 'next stimulus' to bribe the senate Democrats into voting for this debacle of a health-scare bill. That is why they keep hinting at it. It is something they can hold over the heads of the dems so they vote for his plan. But, it is important for you guys to emphasize that the American people don't have the stomach to allow another stimulus and that this will not pass. Tying the healthcare to another stimulus would be a bad move for...

November 11, 2009 at 1:15 am

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