Boy, did Republican's
"one big issue" for November fizzle out or what? Republicans were absolutely gleeful that Kathleen Sebelius's
resignation was going to give them another shot at Obamacare bashing in the confirmation hearings for her successor, Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Now that the success of the law is starting to sink in,
not so much.
Initially, Republicans seemed poised to use the confirmation process to spur further attacks on Obamacare. But instead, more than a half-dozen GOP senators said in interviews that they are impressed with Burwell’s credentials.
In the end, the only thing standing between Burwell and a new seat in President Barack Obama’s Cabinet might be two tough grillings in front of the cameras.
“Cursorily, she looks very good, but she’s going to have to answer some really tough questions, is all I can say,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, which must vote on Burwell’s nomination before it can go to the Senate floor. […]
“She’s not the one to go after [over] the policy or ideological differences,” said Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), another Finance Committee member. “She’s got to go in and try to run the place. I’m much more concerned that she’s up to snuff on [public health preparedness and the National Institutes of Health] — things where the secretary can have a real impact.”
Obamacare!?!? It's not about Obamacare! Why would it be about Obamacare? It's about her knowledge of public health policy! Yeah, right. And all that Republicans cared about with Sebelius was her public health policy expertise.
That's a Republican crying "uncle" on the issue of Obamacare.