The St. Paul Pioneer Press (Ragsdale, 10/28) reports that Minnesota Republican governor Tim Pawlenty and former Senator David Durenberger, a Republican who has advised Pawlenty on health policy, "parted ways" Wednesday in their evaluation of John Kerry's health care plan.
The article reports:
"Pawlenty participated in an anti-Kerry news conference Wednesday with other top party officials, a group that criticized Kerry's health care proposals and praised those of President Bush, the Republican incumbent. But on the same day, former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, a health care expert who chaired the governor's Citizens Forum on Health Care Costs, wrote a newspaper column arguing that Kerry's health care plan is far superior to Bush's."
At a news conference, Pawlenty said, "I was disappointed, to be candid about it. We can have a good discussion about the merits of the health care debate, but the timing of the op-ed piece on the eve of the elections (is) not helpful, from a Republican standpoint."
Durenberger, told the Pioneer Press that Pawlenty's remark "makes me smile.''
He said there is "a presumption on the part of Republicans that every Republican is the same.''
Gary,
I found the opinion piece really interesting and was frankly a little surprised by it and by some of Durenberger's remarks to our class. His stance on HSAs comes to mind. Shame on Democrat Me for assuming that because Durenberger is a Republican he would endorse all the party's policies.
Posted by: Marilyn Meinke-Murphy at October 29, 2004 09:38 AMGary,
It's good to see that Durenburger can see a better plan even if it's not in his party lines.
I still receive his analysis on various health policy topics, which have been informative. I think you can sign up for them if you go the Web site of the St. Thomas health policy center he heads up.
Durenburger didn't come to our class. No fair! I'm still bitter that we didn't get a Mayo Clinic tour, too! (just kidding, kinda :) )
Anna Nguyen
Posted by: Anna at November 2, 2004 04:40 PM