Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Congress Wamp Is No-Show for Big GOP Vote Against Health Care Mandate
Posted by Jeff Woods on Wed, Jun 16, 2010 at 1:01 PM
The motion to recommit—a parliamentary effort to strip the mandate from the health care law—failed in the House. The vote was largely party-line—Rep. Joseph Cao was the only Republican who voted no. Tennessee Democratic Reps. Lincoln Davis and John Tanner voted for it; the rest of Tennessee delegation voted with their parties. Zach Wamp didn't vote.
Apparently, he was too busy on the campaign trail here in Tennessee telling voters how much he hates the health care law. "We can repeal the onerous sections of this bill and not have to live under this,” he said in Northeast Tennessee this week.
Update: Wamp flack defends the AWOL congressman. "While Congressman Wamp strongly supports his colleagues for any attempt to show opposition to the Obama health-care plan, it failed by a solid margin. This vote could come up to put Democrats on the spot again and again."
Comments (10)
Showing 1-10 of 10
Good day,
I must say that I am very disappointed to hear that Zach Wamp did not show up to vote on an issue so critical to our nation and its people as the repeal effort by the Republican Party over the health care reform bill. Mr. Wamp has lead us to believe, here in Tennessee how much he was against the bill and how he was going to fight for repeal as our governor, apperently that is not the case.
With all due respect to Zach Wamp, this is deceptive politics at its best. If candidate Wamp represents the people of Tennessee in this manner, we don't need a Zach Wamp for our next governor. We don't need politicians at the federal or state level, especially not in a position like the governor of the state of Tennessee.
Thank you,
John A. Smaldone
865-983-5688
johnsmaldone@charter.net
www.USA-GodandCountry-Petition.com
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and lets see it was defeated by exactly how many votes? You didnt mention that John. try like 100. So even if he had gone it would have still passed and he wouldnt have been with the voters of Tennessee to hear them first hand yesterday. Damned if you do, damned if you dont.
What Id really like to hear somone talk about is an Energy policy for the state. With the Oil SPill in the gulf going great guns what are we going to do to make sure we are not contributing to the problem.
Wamp has already said he opposed it and would oppose it if elected. Give the guy a break. His vote wouldnt have changed anything and everybody knows it except apparently you.
Hawker 75,
With all due respect. The amount of votes it was defeated by is not the issue, we are also not talking about the Oil Spill, even though that is a very important and critical issue.
The point I am making is that Zach Wamp did not know if the repeal vote pertaining to the health care reform bill was going to be a defeat or not. He should have been their to back up his own pro statements and position he took a stand on as well as for the people he represents, plain and simple!
Regards,
John A. Smaldone
865-983-5688
johnsmaldone@charter.net
www.USA-GodandCountry-Petition.com
John, what it shows is that Republicans in general really don't care about that issue as much as they let on. It's a big dog and pony show with them. The individual mandate was a Republican idea to begin with largely (i.e. see Bill Frist). Zach Wamp doesn't show up because it's easier to demogogue an issue he really doesn't care about then to fly up to Washington and vote on it.
Chris,
Some of what you say I can't argue. The issue should be a major concern of every American. I would like to think our politicians are still American's in their heart. I know some thing like the individual mandate is not a big dog and pony show to the Republicans. I do agree with you about Zach Wamp not caring about the issue and it being easier to demagogue an issue he does not care about.
Why then does he give the impression to those he speaks to directly in a debate that he does care, that is my question. My closing statement to you is. you are right Chris, Zach Wamp does NOT care. I appreciate your comment.
Thanks,
John A. Smaldone
865-983-5688
johnsmaldone@charter.net
www.USA-GodandCountry-Petition.com
Hey John I dont think you got the memo. If you have been in Congress then you know what bills are tight , what bills will pass and what will not. Its just not a mystery.. Its not like Mr Smith goes to Washington , although you seem to believe it is. So if Zach had shown up and the bill still lost by 99 or so votes..would you then praise him for his principles? or would you then say he was running and ducking by not showing up to meet the voters in a debate with all the other candidates...or maybe he wasnt trying hard enogh to make the vote win? Like I said its damned if you do or dont. You can say otherwise but just cause you do doesn't make it so.
Instead of harping on all these non issues why not focus on things that actually mean something to this election....Like why isnt somebody asking HASLAM what his energy policy for Tenn is? I can tell you why ...next to his 50 million per year non publicly disclosed income, next to his casino interest, next to his companies record of environmental violations, fines and lawsuits...next to his company's record of fixing gas prices....you will find a man that is too scared to talk about energy because his only solution is to use more gas and oil....which is how he gets his 50 mil per year and how the citizens of Tenn get lung cancer and how our air gets filled with CO2...
With the BP well spewing I wonder how much Pilot Oil is losing cause their product is washing up on the beaches of Alabama. When do the gas prises start to rise? We sure wont hear from Haslam cause he doesnt want it as an issue. Yet you somehow think that because somebody doesnt show up for a doomed congressional vote to instead face the actual voters of the state that this is grounds for questioning the guys motives and intergrity. I just dont get it....sure the case can be made be lets be real....did he really let you down by not going?or is it a principle? or is it just a petty gripe because you dont like him?
Like I said ..if he had gone and the vote still lost would you praise him? or would you just say that he is just doing his job....its very easy to sit back and point fingers..its much harder to make decision that you have to live with in advance.....personally I think Wamp is a standup guy and I think Haslam is a person who has become enormously wealthy on the backs of the working people of Tenn...
if someone calculated the environmental cost and health cost of the products Haslams Oil company sells, you would find thousands of cases of lung cancer, broken homes, deaths from underage drunk drivers and a history polluted waterways. But yet we somehow think because this guy is rich he deserves to be the next Gov?
At least Wamp has a vision and plan on where to go....Haslam is blowing money left and right and flying by the seat of his pants and I honestly believe that he has paid Ramsey to stay in the race cause their is no way Ramsey can win...but that just my opinion. Im entitled to mine the same way you are entitled to yours. Have a nice day.
Wamp is also known as zig-zag wamp. He's a menace. He has no convictions that he stands behind. Haslam is okay I guess, but again, I wouldn't trust him--because of something he did when I was in the room with him. He was asked if he would stand up for the 10th ammendment and he wouldn't give a straight answer. You know who did? The only choice for TN -- Ron Ramsey.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Lady Patriot and Hawker 75,
I do agree with you Lady Patriot, 100%, about Ron Ramsey. He is the only choice as far as I am concerned.
Hawker 75, I did get the memo. I understand your analogy. Believe it or not I am focusing on the state issues and problems. I will not get into a back and forth battle with you on the issues, it will get us no where. However, I do understand what you are saying about the other candidate.
I respect your conviction and loyalty to Zach Wamp. I have endorsed Ron Ramsey and I am 100% behind him. I feel Ramsey is who we need for governor, you feel Wamp is the man. Lets you and I do our best for our candidates and lets hope the best man wins.
Best regards to both Lady Patriot and Hawker 75,
John Smaldone
www.USA-GodandCountry-Petition.com
