Chambliss turns on Palin

After Palin rallied Georgia voters to re-elect Saxby Chambliss during the runoff, Chambliss has turned his back on her. In the same breath he praised Obama on his efforts on healthcare reform.

Chambliss' words could be interpreted differently, I suppose. He says that he doesn't think there will be death panels created in the current bill - he could be referring to literal death panels - as in, literally a panel that decides life and death for each patient. That in itself is twisting Palin's words a bit, because she was referring to the consequences of the bill in its current form. The reward for "positive results," the denying healthcare to terminal patients, and so on, would all lead ultimately to the government deciding who receives care or not, and subsequently who will die because of it.

The fact that Chambliss didn't elaborate on this statement is a concern. As is the fact that he's praising Obama. It appears that he doesn't fathom how bad this bill is and how it has the possibility to destroy everything we hold dear.

As a side note, I think it's funny that only "dozens" of people went to see Chambliss speak. Quite a difference from the thousands that came to his rally when Palin was there.

Chambliss takes on Palin, commends Obama on health care reform
Dozens gathered at the Augusta Museum of History for a chamber of commerce forum on health care reform with Senator Saxby Chambliss. Chambliss attempted to set the record straight on what he calls misinformation.
News 12 at six o'clock, August 26, 2009

AUGUSTA,Ga---Dozens gathered at the Augusta Museum of History for a chamber of commerce forum on health care reform with Senator Saxby Chambliss. Chambliss attempted to set the record straight on what he calls misinformation.

"Say goodbye," said Susan Swanson who is fed up with Washington lawmakers. "Kick out the bums. Kick them all out."

She fears talk of health care reform.

"My concern is all this talk about death panels," said Susan. "All the bureaucracy that people have to go through."

The death panel rumors were given credence by Sarah Palin who campaigned with Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss in Augusta back in November. Chambliss is looking to distance himself from Palin on his latest trip to Augusta.

"I don't agree with her that there will be death panels created by any of the plans that are out there," said Chambliss.

Susan doesn't know who to believe.

"It's not Washington," said Susan. "I don't believe Washington."

"I commend the president for spending political capital to bring this issue to the forefront," said Chambliss. "We've talked about reforming health care for years, but we've never gotten around to it."

Chambliss reached across the aisle as Senator Ted Kennedy, a champion for health care reform, loses his battle to cancer.

"The Senate is a family," said Chambliss. "We are all good friends within the Senate, and Senator Kennedy was a great legislator."

But nice gestures won't ease Susan's concerns about Washington.

"We're not going to give up our freedom of good health care to make them happy," said Susan.

Senator Chambliss says he would like to see the government provide tax credits. He says he could not support the current house bill that would pay for reform by possibly taxing the rich.