Obama’s ‘fix’: Dems cheer, GOP jeers

Democrats on Thursday applauded President Obama’s announcement about keeping canceled insurance plans while Republicans assailed him for going around Congress.

Ohio Democrat Marcia Fudge approved of the president’s decision.

I applaud POTUS for trying to keep his promise that Americans can keep the insurance plans they like.

— Marcia L. Fudge (@RepMarciaFudge) November 14, 2013

On Thursday afternoon, Obama said the move could prevent existing insurance plans from being canceled by ObamaCare until after the midterm elections next year.

Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris said Obama’s statement wasn’t good enough.

I still have yet to hear a real and genuine apology for the President. He really needs to come clean about his statements to the public

— Rep. Andy Harris, MD (@RepAndyHarrisMD) November 14, 2013

An estimated 5 million people have received cancellation notices since the marketplace was implemented in October.

Obama said he plans to tweak the law’s regulations after lawmakers and former President Clinton pressured him to honor a promise he had made repeatedly during the debate over the law.

Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) tweeted that the public deserves better.

RT if you agree Americans deserve better & deserve a government that keeps its promises. #ObamaCancellations pic.twitter.com/TSQhg5kO1Y

— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) November 14, 2013

His colleague, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), however, said Obama is doing the right thing.

Health reform law was meant to help uninsured get coverage, not cancel policies folks liked. President made the right decision today.

— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) November 14, 2013

Republican Rep. Steve Stockman (Texas) has been tweeting nonstop since the administration released low enrollment numbers for ObamaCare on Wednesday. Stockman piled on as the president spoke Thursday.

Obama says the abysmally low enrollment numbers are proof Americans want Obamacare. William Hung sold twice as many albums.

— Rep. Steve Stockman (@SteveWorks4You) November 14, 2013

Randy Weber, another Texas Republican criticized Obama for not allowing Congress to intervene.

The President once again is circumventing Congress, to ensure he gets his way with #Obamacare #RespectTheConstitution

— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) November 14, 2013

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) said in a tweet he appreciated Obama’s “forthrightness.”

#POTUS has acted 2 make his words(like it/keep it) reality & accepted responsibility for roll out of #ACA . appreciate his forthrightness

— Steve Cohen (@RepCohen) November 14, 2013

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) tweeted a map by the Republican Policy Committee showing a significant number of people have had their insurance canceled.

For every 1 person who selected an #Obamacare plan—40 people received cancellation notices. New from @Senate_RPC: pic.twitter.com/VaN16JLlJ7

— Sen. John Barrasso (@SenJohnBarrasso) November 14, 2013

Remember a govt big enough to take away your healthcare & big enough to give it back is still big enough to take it away again #KeepYourPlan

— Tom Latham (@TomLatham) November 14, 2013

The Republican team on the Senate Budget Committee used the occasion to take a stab at government insurance in general.

Dear Mr. President: Given the complexities of all this, maybe a massive (add’l) federal intrusion into health care wasn’t such a great idea.

— Senate Budget GOP (@BudgetGOP) November 14, 2013