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Blogs:
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Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
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Zips favored on road against MAC West leader
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Five local gridders to play in Big33
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By Linda Golz
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 09:24 p.m. EDT, Oct 15, 2009
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke extensively about health care, the condition of the party and his vision for the GOP's future Thursday.
Steele kicked off the 2009-10 University of Akron Forum Series at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
In comments to the media before a public speech, Steele said a health-care bill might be passed this year, but he expressed concern that legislators are moving too quickly to overhaul the system. Legislators and the Obama administration need to get it right rather than get it fast, he said.
Steele said he hopes passing health-care legislation this year ''doesn't become a reality in the current context because I'm very troubled by the fact that, on Afghanistan, for example, the president tells us to slow down, take our time, there's no rush to do the policy there.
''But on health care, a major overhaul of one-seventh of our nation's economy, he wants to get it done in 30 to 40 days.
''I'm a little bit bothered by the pace. I've said from the very beginning that it is in the best interest of the nation, but most especially in the best interest of the doctor/patient relationship, that we take our time, be deliberate and do it right.''
President Obama ''has moved from this being a crisis of cost in health care to now a crisis of insurance in health care,'' Steele said. ''And so, first off, the American people want to know what it is we're trying to do.''
Then, Steele said, people need to know how much it will cost and who will pay for it.
He said the administration hasn't answered those kinds of questions and that is why there are town hall meetings and tea party protests.
Steele said he would be ''the cow on the tracks'' to stop the health-care process until some of the Republican Party's concerns have been addressed.
''Moo, moo,'' he said. ''Get there and stop it.''
Steele dismissed Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe's ''yes'' vote on a health-care proposal in the Finance Committee.
''One vote does not bipartisanship make,'' he said.''The real vote that matters is the final bill.''
Steele said he expects to see Snowe standing with Republicans when the final vote is taken.
On other topics, Steele said he is concerned about the economy and job losses. He said he is working with state party leaders and encouraging them to work with county leaders to move the party forward.
Steele said the party recently launched a Web site — http://www.gop.com — and is adopting other tools to be more relevant and to better define today's Republicans. He emphasized a need to be honest.
''What defines us is what we believe,'' he said.
Steele admitted the GOP lost miserably in the 2008 election because the party had become complacent and failed to live by its own standards, including letting spending get out of control.
''We walked away from our contract with America,'' he said.
Future Forum Series speakers will include Bel Canto author Ann Pachett, Oct. 21; Outliers, Tipping Point and Blink author Malcolm Gladwell, Nov. 11; former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Feb. 22; and public talk radio host Diane Rehm, March 24. For tickets, call 330-972-7570.
Linda Golz can be reached at 330-996-3640 or lgolz@thebeaconjournal.com.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele spoke extensively about health care, the condition of the party and his vision for the GOP's future Thursday.
Steele kicked off the 2009-10 University of Akron Forum Series at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
In comments to the media before a public speech, Steele said a health-care bill might be passed this year, but he expressed concern that legislators are moving too quickly to overhaul the system. Legislators and the Obama administration need to get it right rather than get it fast, he said.
Steele said he hopes passing health-care legislation this year ''doesn't become a reality in the current context because I'm very troubled by the fact that, on Afghanistan, for example, the president tells us to slow down, take our time, there's no rush to do the policy there.
''But on health care, a major overhaul of one-seventh of our nation's economy, he wants to get it done in 30 to 40 days.
''I'm a little bit bothered by the pace. I've said from the very beginning that it is in the best interest of the nation, but most especially in the best interest of the doctor/patient relationship, that we take our time, be deliberate and do it right.''
President Obama ''has moved from this being a crisis of cost in health care to now a crisis of insurance in health care,'' Steele said. ''And so, first off, the American people want to know what it is we're trying to do.''
Then, Steele said, people need to know how much it will cost and who will pay for it.
He said the administration hasn't answered those kinds of questions and that is why there are town hall meetings and tea party protests.
Steele said he would be ''the cow on the tracks'' to stop the health-care process until some of the Republican Party's concerns have been addressed.
''Moo, moo,'' he said. ''Get there and stop it.''
Steele dismissed Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe's ''yes'' vote on a health-care proposal in the Finance Committee.
''One vote does not bipartisanship make,'' he said.''The real vote that matters is the final bill.''
Steele said he expects to see Snowe standing with Republicans when the final vote is taken.
On other topics, Steele said he is concerned about the economy and job losses. He said he is working with state party leaders and encouraging them to work with county leaders to move the party forward.
Steele said the party recently launched a Web site — http://www.gop.com — and is adopting other tools to be more relevant and to better define today's Republicans. He emphasized a need to be honest.
''What defines us is what we believe,'' he said.
Steele admitted the GOP lost miserably in the 2008 election because the party had become complacent and failed to live by its own standards, including letting spending get out of control.
''We walked away from our contract with America,'' he said.
Future Forum Series speakers will include Bel Canto author Ann Pachett, Oct. 21; Outliers, Tipping Point and Blink author Malcolm Gladwell, Nov. 11; former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Feb. 22; and public talk radio host Diane Rehm, March 24. For tickets, call 330-972-7570.
Linda Golz can be reached at 330-996-3640 or lgolz@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
uniontown, oh
Posted 10:22 PM, 10/15/2009
This is all Derek Anderson's fault.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 12:20 AM, 10/16/2009
NOOOO sgt it's all the mayor's fault!
akron, oh
Posted 08:31 AM, 10/16/2009
Nope, it's Bush's fault.
Metairie, LA
Posted 08:48 AM, 10/16/2009
At least they recently got a website.
Who says Republicans are behind the times?
Posted 09:08 AM, 10/16/2009
I'd vote for him.
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 09:49 AM, 10/16/2009
Dell2 - one word: RACIST
cranberry twp, pa
Posted 09:51 AM, 10/16/2009
Token Black Man.
Wait...democrats have a black candidate?? Oh snap...hey Michael Steele...want to be chairman? See, were equal opportunity in the GOP.
Minneapolis, MN
Posted 09:52 AM, 10/16/2009
I have two words, too, but the BJ won't print them. Well, maybe half. The first one is "dumb." As an alumnus, I'm embarrassed to see the U of A logo prominently displayed behind the cow on the tracks. . . http://www.dailykostv.com/w/002253/
cranberry twp, pa
Posted 09:55 AM, 10/16/2009
"Steele admitted the GOP lost miserably in the 2008 election because the party had become complacent and failed to live by its own standards, including letting spending get out of control."
No, you lost because you drove this country to the brink of financial collapse, drove us into 2 wars that have no end in sight, repeatedly ignored and defiled the constitution, ran a election campaign for McCain based on fear, lies, racism and religious persecution.
America figured it out and kicked the GOP out. The End.
tallmadge, OH
Posted 10:02 AM, 10/16/2009
Beersteeler lets others think for him because it's easier than having to actually think.
Hudson, Oh
Posted 10:45 AM, 10/16/2009
Socialist in Charge-
You are one to talk. Hello kettle, meet pot.
Tallmadge, OHIO
Posted 11:37 AM, 10/16/2009
What Up!!
What a joke!
He should get a real job and quit being a drag on the RNC's budget ...
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:40 AM, 10/16/2009
[url=http://www.glitter-graphics.com][img]http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/826/826082ohzi4iuuuu.jpg[/img][/url]
Mogadore, OH
Posted 12:04 PM, 10/16/2009
He makes a good point on healthcare reform: be deliberate and do it right. But his choice of cow-on-the-track metaphor is not good. It implies derailing rather than working together to steer it in the right direction.
cranberry twp, pa
Posted 02:12 PM, 10/16/2009
@Socialist
Insulting me doesnt change the facts, buddy.
America spoke, GOP got pwnd, lets all move on.
Macedonia, Oh
Posted 10:21 AM, 10/17/2009
geazer - get over it. the reason you see the UA logo behind him is because UA brought the guy to town and is featuring his formal presentation on campus in its PAH. It's called diversity, duhhh!
P.S. It's better than bringing Glen Beck to campus. Next year I'm suggesting they bring Beck back along with some circus clowns and elephants.
