HUFFINGTON POST: A private memo distributed by the Republican National Committee calls for like-minded advocates to help defeat President Barack Obama’s health care proposals by delaying its consideration. The memo, which was obtained by the Huffington Post from a Democratic source, provides the clearest illustration to date of the political playbook being used to stop Democratic attempts at a health care overhaul. Much of the material mirrors the speeches and presentations made by conservatives both inside and out of elected office to date. Obama’s plan for health care is deemed an “experiment” and a “risk” that could bankrupt the country and dangerously change the doctor-patient relationship. In particular, the 12-page memo makes the case that it is a Republican priority to slow down the consideration of health care reform before it can become codified. “The Republican National Committee will engage in every activity we can to slow down this mad rush while promoting sensible alternatives that address health care costs and preserve quality,” the memo affirmatively declares. MORE
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Speaking to conservatives late last week, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) declared if conservatives can stall until Congress goes on vacation for most of August, health care reform — and Obama — will be dead in the water. “If we’re able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo,” DeMint said. “It will break him.” Obama recycled that line Monday at a Washington children’s hospital, holding it up as an example of opponents putting partisanship before public health. “This isn’t about me. This isn’t about politics,” Obama said. “This is about a health care system that is breaking America‘s families, breaking America’s businesses and breaking America’s economy.” MORE
WASHINGTON POST: In January 1994, conservative commentator William Kristol wrote a widely read memo urging Republicans to take an aggressive stance on the Clinton health care plan. His detailed advice came down to two words: “kill it.” He has the same idea now. “With Obamacare on the ropes, there will be a temptation for opponents to let up on their criticism, and to try to appear constructive, or at least responsible,” Kristol wrote today on the blog of The Weekly Standard. “There will be a tendency to want to let the Democrats’ plans sink of their own weight, to emphasize that the critics have been pushing sound reform ideas all along and suggest it’s not too late for a bipartisan compromise over the next couple of weeks or months.” He added, “My advice, for what it’s worth: Resist the temptation. This is no time to pull punches. Go for the kill.” MORE
LOS ANGELES TIMES: On the president’s six-month anniversary, the new polling must be in. And it apparently shows a weakness involving the word “experiment.” We know the president’s personal popularity has slipped while remaining relatively high. So today, smelling a little blood, Steele’s RNC launched a sizable ad buy in Arkansas, North Dakota and Nevada. If you like cute (but worried) kids, you’ll love this ad. Of course, cute kids are just props and innocent bystanders in the brass knuckles brawl unfolding on those hot summer days in DC. Asked after his speech if Obama’s healthcare plan was socialism, Steele tersely answered, “Yes!” MORE
REALITY CHECK: National Debt Under Dem Presidents Vs. GOP Presidents
