Democrats Gear Up To Fight Bush's Veto

Congressional Leaders Seek Allies Across The Aisle After President Vetoes Kids' Insurance Bill

(CBS/AP)  Democrats unleashed a stream of harsh rhetoric Wednesday after President Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill expanding a popular children's health insurance program, gearing up for a battle to both improve their chances of winning a veto override and score political points against Republicans who oppose the expansion.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid decried Mr. Bush's action as a "heartless veto."

"Never has it been clearer how detached President Bush is from the priorities of the American people," Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement. "By vetoing a bipartisan bill to renew the successful Children's Health Insurance Program, President Bush is denying health care to millions of low-income kids in America."

Democratic congressional leaders said they may put off the override attempt for as long as two weeks to maximize pressure on Republican House members whose votes will be critical.

"The President should not be so heartless when it comes to the children of America," Washington State Democrat Maria Cantwell said on the floor of the Senate. "I know my colleagues here are working shoulder to shoulder, Democrats and Republicans, trying to stop the President's veto."

"We remain committed to making SCHIP into law - with or without the president's support," said the leader of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, referring to the full name of the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

Eighteen Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate, enough to override Mr. Bush's veto. But this was not the case in the House, where despite sizable Republican backing, supporters of the bill are about two dozen votes short of a successful override.

Illinois Rep. Rahm Emmanuel talked to CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod about the political advantage the Democratic party sees in this situation.

"So the President of the United States is asking 15 Republicans to stand with him on an argument about government-run health care… and deny American kids health care," Emmanuel said, "and yet, vote at the same time to give Iraq 190 billion dollars."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said Democrats were imploring 15 House Republicans to switch positions but had received no agreements so far.

House Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said he was "absolutely confident" that the House would be able to sustain Mr. Bush's veto.

Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss., said Congress should be able to reach a compromise with Mr. Bush once he vetoes the bill. "We should not allow it to be expanded to higher and higher income levels, and to adults. This is about poor children," he said. "But we can work it out."


The White House sought little attention for Mr. Bush's action, with the president casting his veto behind closed doors without any fanfare or news coverage. He defended it later Wednesday during a budget speech.

"Poor kids first," Mr. Bush said. "Secondly, I believe in private medicine, not the federal government running the health care system."

But he seemed eager to avert a full-scale showdown over the difficult issue, offering that he is "more than willing" to negotiate with lawmakers "if they need a little more money in the bill to help us meet the objective of getting help for poor children."

[ekucrew]

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND!!!

No....just slam the door on them so their voice is muffled.

[oscarez]

"I do not see how the president can sleep at night," said Reid, D-Nev.

You need a brain to worry and a brain is something Bush does not have.

[geneonlbk]

Our installed leader is unbelievable. He spends trillions to murder innocent people in Iraq and now this.

[omega39-2009]

First stem cells and now this. The GOP are toast come next November.

[jjreding-2009]

What I have to say about George Bush''s veto of this bill can''t be printed in a public forum. $200 billion for an illegal and immoral war in Iraq but nothing for poor kids at home. This man is MORE than a disgrace to America.

[briannorwood]

$35 billion over five years. Let''s see, that''s $7 billion per year for American kid''s health care.

I guess that would really cut into the $170 billion a year this idiot is spending in Iraq!

Makes my blood boil!

[condumism]

Repiglicons all across the country will suffer big time from this outrage in November, 2008!

GOPigs = GREEDY OLD PEDOPHILES

Why help kids have a better life when GW Bush can help kill innocent Iraqis instead.

Something is wrong with that man - seriously wrong.

[rushlimpdrug]

A big slap in the face to what is left of middle class America.

The only thing left for the middle class is to work our azzes off to pay for the poor and rich and support imports from china, and outsourcing, and on and on.

Thanks for krapping on the next generation of Americans.
Of course congress and the prez don''t have socialized medicine.
The middle class helps fund their medical bills.

[v_1618]

YEAH AND THE WAR IN IRAQ NOT STUPID IDIOT ..
BUSH YOU''RE THE MOST EVIL PERSON ON EARTH ...
I HOPE SOMEDAY YOUR OIL COMPANIES WILL BE DESTROYED YOU *** .... THE BEST PLACE FOR YOU BUSH IS JAIL.. MOTH ***. BAZTARD....

[archiej2]

What a poor excuse for a human being Bush actually is. And to think there are still morons out there who support this horse''s behind.

[incog-nito]

Well, we do need the money for Iraq. I mean, those mercenaries, uh, security contractors don''t come cheap. They''re paid 10 times the average soldier, you know.

[aaabee-2009]

$456 billion cost of Iraq war to date.

$35 billion over five years for kids health care: VETOED.

But that is okay, at least he''s getting his revenge on the Democrats.

Wonder if the health care he just VETO''D were for the kids of hard-working REPUBLICANS who voted for Bush?

[oscarez]

You can hear the desperation in Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, R-Miss voice. A man from one of the poorest states in the south. "But we can work it out." He just does not have the guts to say "OVERRIDE The Vito". This is just another example of the Grand Old Party being told what to do by the health care lobby.

[myidoncbs]

Bush hates our kids. Bush hates us.

Bush is the Supreme Hater, el diablo.

[stevex47]

Monies for his cronies and wars, yes, he''ll vote for...even twice on Sunday. Money for children....not a chance. Now that''s Christian Values.

[tejasdemo]

Another immoral act by Republican leadership. What a pathetic group of human beings.

Go to hell.

[taddles-2009]

This USELESS SCUMBAG you republiscum $hits put into office won''t support a couple hundred million for your children''s health but he''ll pour BILLIONS down the rat-hole that is Iraq.

IMPEACH THE SCUMBAG NOW!

[lisa061]

Why is Bush still in office really. He cares for no one but himself. These kids are our future...and he should take care of them. I watched Bush through September 11, and then the hurricane...really have you ever seen someone so cowardly...He just needs to get out of office.

[watcher269-2009]

Bush and Cheney should be shot for Treason! They don''t give a *** for or about America. Really Pathetic! I hope Hillary with all the new Presidential powers that the office now has thanks to Bush will put these crooks in Jail!

[aaabee-2009]

Why did he have to VETO in such low-key secrecy.

Might Bush might finally be ashamed of his actions just a bit?

[omega39-2009]

The White House sought as little attention as possible, with the president wielding his veto behind closed doors without any fanfare or news coverage...

What, he wasn''t strutting around in a flight suit on a carrier deck under a mission accomplished sign when he vetoed this? I wonder why, it would surly have been appropriate.

[v_1618]

THIS IS THE MOST UGLY JOKE I''VE HEARD IN MY HOLE LIFE.. IS AMAZING.. THIS STUPID GUY SPENDS I TRILLION DOLLARS TO KILL INOCENT PEOPLE TO STEAL THEIR OIL AND LATER HE SAID THAT CHILDREN CARE IS VERY EXPENSIVE.. COME ON SOMEBODY IN THE WORLD WITH POWER HAS TO DO SOMETHING AGAINST THIS BAZTARDZ LIKE BUSH PLEASE SOMEBODY.. HELP US..... HELP , HELP.. THIS GUY IS INSANE , I DON''T WANT TO LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE PEOPLE LIKE BUSH LIVES IN .. I WANT TO TELL GOD THAT.. THIS GUY HAS TO BE IN HELL FOR THE REST OF HIS ETERNITY..... THIS GUY IS THE DEVIL IN PERSON...

[vallel]

Well what can you expect. The priority for this administration is for the War. More money to killing american soldiers and iraqui soldiers and civilians, no money for children living in America, where middle class income families are struggling to pay for health insurance. If you have a job with no benefits how can a middle income family afford healt insurance? This President is so out of reality, too costly? wow, but for the war all the money of the world. This is pathetic, keep voting republican.

[iceman_1960]

It was just fate that on the CBSNews home page, this text appears beside Bush''s face:

"Serial Killer Apologizes To Victim''s Kin"

King George deems that our children shall suffer in order to support some ideological nonsense - F the People and their Congress.

[whatithink-2009]

Iceman_1960,

Except Bush will never apologize. I just wonder how people reconcile voting for a serial killer.

[incog-nito]

People, what you are witnessing is no less than the work of the devil himself.

[iceman_1960]

"President Bush vetoed a bipartisan bill expanding a popular children''s health insurance program Wednesday, setting up an override battle with Congress."

But he has all the money in the world for his war in Iraq, and says ugly things about those Democrats who would "deprive our troops" by defunding the war.

[ljb6599]

Just another awful decision made by the worst president in U.S. history.

[whatithink-2009]

One day you trailer park Bush supporters will wake up and realize that you ARE NOT REALLY his base.

[METAUSTIN]

What a coward you are, Mister President. You could be helping so many but instead you choose war to make a name for yourself. History will remember you as a monster, more vile and disgusting than Hitler, Stalin, or Hussein combined!

IMPEACH BUSH NOW!

[jumkey]

I wonder how many more children will have to die because Bush is in the White House?

How many dead Americans will make the Republicans happy?

[iceman_1960]

"People, what you are witnessing is no less than the work of the devil himself."
- Posted by incog-nito at 10:51 AM : Oct 03, 2007

When the devil reads this post he will sue you for defamation of character.

[aaabee-2009]

Yup, this guy is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better a presidental choice than Al Gore, just SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better.

[drummer94]

Gawd. George is some piece of work, huh? Ok. Go ahead. Piece of ----- fill it in.

[perception5]

S-CHIP was created by the Republicans in 1997 and designed for "poor" children.

What the Dems are doing in this political move, and supported by America''s corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press, is distorting the facts.

Bottom line is this, our President is vetoing this bill because the Dems are trying to expand it for folks making up to $83,000 a year, which is (4) four times the national poverty level.

We need to make sure when we provide benefits to folks that the truely poor folks get the help, first.

The 110th Do Nothing Democrat Congress needs to go back now and make sure this program, created by Repubilcans to serve the poor does exactly that, serves the poor.

It''s disgraceful that America''s free left-wing press can''t be more truthful and balanced.

[rushlimpdrug]

He can''t help it, he''s a compassionate conservative.

[v_1618]

BUSH ... UNBELIEVEBLE.. THIS IS THE LAST THING ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR TO REALLY KNOW WHO YOU REALLY ARE ... WHAT BUSH REALLY NEEDS RIGHT NOW IS A COURT MARTIAL FOR YOUR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.. AND EVEN WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IS NOT SHORTLY ENOUGHT TO PAY WHAT HAVE YOU''VE DONE TO HUMAN KIND....

[hwy71so]

How about this? Y''all get off your lazy butts, earn a living that will allow you to take care of your own kids!

All you Democrats need to get you a job instead of mooching off the government, the people.

[fstop100]

Lets safe the money for war. Why should we worry about our own people.
jb6599 you are right, he is the worst president in US history.

[oscarez]

Why provide health care for the poor? The poor are a drag on society whereas wealthy individuals and corporations are what make a George Bush kind of society run smoothly.

[iceman_1960]

"S-CHIP was created by the Republicans in 1997 and designed for "poor" children."
- perception5

One of a number of falsehoods the Right is busily circulating.

"Bush also misstated the intent of the SCHIP program by claiming it "was meant to help poor children." That''s false as well. Poor children, defined as those in families below the official federal poverty level, were already covered by Medicaid. The stated intent of Congress when it established the program in 1997 was to expand coverage beyond those who were poor to "uninsured low-income" children. And in Washington-speak, there''s a significant difference between "poor" and "low-income."

Source:


"Bush''s False Claims About Children''s Health Insurance"

http://www.factcheck.org/bushs_false_claims_about_childrens_health_insurance.html

[whatithink-2009]

Bush says NO HANDOUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS. Who cares about children''s health when a rich guy needs to buy a yacht??

[shanev137]

Too costly.

Amazing.

And yet he spent $900 billion to lose a war.

[omega39-2009]

S-CHIP was created by the Republicans in 1997 and designed for "poor" children.

The GWOT (global war on terror) was created by Republicans in 2001 for "poor" defense contractors. There are seemingly no upper income requirements for them though.

[dutchfarmer]

It is not the federal government''s job to steal money from people in order to pay for health insurance for children. Self-righteous people feign concern for children without thinking about the costs. Parents are supposed to provide health insurance if they so choose. Subsidies breed slavery. Freedom requires responsibility.

[ioweign]

S-CHIP was created by the Republicans in 1997 and designed for "poor" children.

What the Dems are doing in this political move, and supported by America''''s corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack press, is distorting the facts.

Bottom line is this, our President is vetoing this bill because the Dems are trying to expand it for folks making up to $83,000 a year, which is (4) four times the national poverty level.

We need to make sure when we provide benefits to folks that the truely poor folks get the help, first.

The 110th Do Nothing Democrat Congress needs to go back now and make sure this program, created by Repubilcans to serve the poor does exactly that, serves the poor.

It''''s disgraceful that America''''s free left-wing press can''''t be more truthful and balanced.

Posted by perception5 at 10:55 AM : Oct 03, 2007

Bush campaigned to INCREASE S-CHIP.

[whatithink-2009]

Oscarez,

Do you even bother to read the article? Bush veteod the bill because it would be expanded to people with higher income levels (lower middle class people). Most rich people inherited wealth. They did not create it.

[drummer94]

George has evil lessons with the devil. Don''t know what shrub charges him.