Cantor Remarks At GOP Stakeout

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Cantor Remarks At GOP Stakeout

“Good morning, our members are back in town after having been at home with the people they represent over the month of August. I think it's very clear that the members of the Republican Conference feel strongly that the public has awakened, that the wind is at our back, primarily because of the fierce debate over the president's healthcare plan. Tonight we are going to see the president address the nation in a joint session, and clearly the hurdle is very high for President Obama.

His task is going to be to convince the American people that the proposal of a government option doesn't mean a government replacement of the healthcare system as we know it. Secondly, the test will include his being able to convince members, as well as the public, that an expanded government role will save the taxpayers money. Because I think intuitively that most Americans believe that more government in health care means more rationing and more forced discrimination on the basis of gender and age.

What it really is, I think for us as Republicans in the House, is an opportunity for us to see our president willing to start focus on areas we agree on and not just focus the areas that divide us. We all understand, we can rally around solutions having to do with preexisting conditions. We can do things about making sure that if somebody loses their job they don't necessarily lose their health care, instead of trying to insist that government competition is all we should be about. We are also hoping that a premium is put on getting it right, not just getting it done now, I think that does reflect where the American people are as well.”

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