DeMint: Dems 'Hijacked' Romneycare
The Hill reports:
Romney’s healthcare reform initiative in Massachusetts is viewed as one of his biggest political liabilities going into the Republican primary, due to its similarities to President Obama’s healthcare overhaul.
But leading conservatives, including supporters of Romney during his 2008 presidential run, argue that the Massachusetts plan isn’t a deal-breaker.
“One of the reasons I endorsed Romney [in 2008] is his attempts to make private health insurance available at affordable prices,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (S.C.), a GOP kingmaker.
DeMint blames Democrats in the Massachusetts State Legislature for adding many of the features to Romney’s plan that many on the right decry.
“It just depends on how he plays it. For me, I think he started with some good ideas that were essentially hijacked by the Democrat Legislature,” DeMint said.
Healthcare was not an Achilles’ heel for Romney in 2008. The difference between 2008 and 2011, of course, is the bitterly partisan battle on healthcare during the 111th Congress.
Some Republicans acknowledged that “RomneyCare” could give the former governor some heartburn, but they claim it won’t torpedo his likely 2012 bid.
“It’s a hurdle, but I don’t think it’s a hurdle that can’t be overcome,” said one top conservative lawmaker who spoke on background.
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