Shots Fired: Health Care Reform Repeal

Not surprisingly, there was lots of talking going on today leading up to the vote to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and there's of course been plenty since then.  Here are few of the lame, the tame, and one that's truly exceptional.

Mike Pence (R-IN), in response to Dem criticism that the vote was just a gimmick, said "We have another term for it on our side of the aisle: It's a promise kept," he said. "And House Republicans are here to stand with the American people and say with one voice, 'We can do better.' We can do better than their government takeover of health care."

Hometown girl Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY), spoke shortly before the vote and said “When our Founders envisioned the legislative process it was to be one in which legislators were deliberative, thoughtful, and respectful of the freedoms of American citizens. Last year, that vision faltered, and Congress failed in its duties to the American people when they enacted the Affordable Care Act.”

Former Speaker and current Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): "I think we should send a strong message today with a great vote against this repeal, which is so harmful to the health of the American people, which is so damaging to our fiscal health as well, and to have people know that we want to have what is best for them."

And this from another California Dem, George Miller : "Has anybody, any family in America, any single mother, any spouse, any child, any grandparent met a more bureaucratic system than the American health insurance system? There is no more bureaucratic system."  

But without a doubt, the prize-winner has to be Anthony Weiner (D-NY), who added this gem in his halftime report on the debate: "You know, I want to just advise people watching at home playing that now-popular drinking game of 'You take a shot whenever Republicans say something that's not true': Please, assign a designated driver."  Watch it here.