The first of the votes is over and Democrats have sent a health care bill to President Obama for his signature.
Kendrick Meek was so enthusiastic about the history-making vote he issued two press releases, one from his congressional office and a second from his Senate campaign.
From the office: "For too long, we have heard from politicians who would talk the talk, but wouldn’t walk the walk on holding insurance companies accountable. Public service is about making tough decisions right now, not kicking the can down the road for future generations."
And from his campaign, a dig at his Republican rivals: "Speaker Rubio, just like the Republican leadership in Washington, embraces a strategy of 'No,' an approach of delay tactics and denials of the healthcare crisis that is affecting millions of Floridians…Governor Crist isn't any better. He's against the current plan and his 'Cover Florida' alternative – the statewide initiative that claims to offer low-cost insurance – signed up fewer Floridians in its first five months than the number of people who lose their insurance every week in our state. That's not reform."
Rubio — who faces a primary with Crist — promised the bill will become a campaign issue, saying in a statement it "will be a major part of my debate with Congressman Kendrick Meek, who tonight cast a vote that will have lasting consequences for Floridians.
"Once again, Congressman Meek has shown an unhealthy willingness to go along with an agenda that threatens to cripple our nation with bigger government paid for with money that we don’t even have," Rubio said in a statement. "Floridians cannot afford to send him to the Senate, where he will oppose repealing this health care plan and continue being a reliable vote for the Obama agenda."
And from Crist: "It is disappointing to see that President Obama and Democrat leadership convinced enough members of their Party, including Rep. Meek, to completely ignore the will of the American people, and pass their government run health care bill.
"This bill is comprised of secret backroom, sweetheart deals, includes a last minute Executive Order, and the passage of such a bill is a direct affront to the American people. Americans deserve better than this liberal, partisan legislation that amounts to a government take over of health care while raising rates, raising taxes, and significantly cutting Medicare."
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- Bill Nelson, under fire in health care debate, reacts to Obama speech
- Crist flip-flop #563? ‘I would have voted’ for health care bill
- Charlie Crist presses Kendrick Meek on health care vote