TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross

The curse of the pre-sponse

BY Dave Ross  on February 13, 2013 @ 6:08 am (Updated: 6:21 am - 2/13/13 )

There is a danger in having to write a response to the State of the Union address before you've heard the speech you're responding to.

Senator Marco Rubio discovered that last night.

His speech was not really a RE-sponse. It's a PRE-sponse. You could tell, because he said stuff like, "Instead of playing politics with Medicare, when is the president going to offer his detailed plan to save it? Tonight would have been a good time to do it."

But wait - the President just finished agreeing with you!

"On Medicare, I'm prepared to enact reforms that will achieve the same amount of healthcare savings by the beginning of the next decade, as the reforms proposed by the bipartisan Simpson Bowles commision," Obama said during the State of the Union.

The Simpson Bowles report is the budget deal considered the holy grail by many Republicans including Lindsey Graham.

And then Obama said, "We'll bring down costs by changing the way our government pays for medicare because our medical bills shouldn't be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital. It should be based on the quality of care our seniors receive."

For a guy who has no plan, that sounds like a pretty serious plan.

So - may I offer a suggestion?

If you have to write your response before the speech you're responding to, you should also be allowed to deliver it before the speech you're responding to. Like during those tedious 15 minutes when everybody is meandering around - and the anchors are yammering about Michelle's arms - I would much rather have watched Senator Rubio's pre-sponse.

Then, when it turned out the President actually agreed with many of his points, the Senator could have said see? I changed his mind.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (100)


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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Death panels for granny.
    February 13, 2013 5:29 am
    "the biggest driver of our long-term debt is the rising cost of health care for an aging population..... our retirement programs will crowd out the investments we need for our children"

    What he means.....You're time is up granny, the sooner you die, the better.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    We will, most of us, use up more dollars in medical services...
    February 13, 2013 5:46 am
    in the last 60-90 days of life than we ever paid in health care premiums during the previous 70, 80, or 90 years.

    Death panels aren't the answer. By the same token, pouring $200,000 tax payer dollars into some comatose body that will never regain consciousness again and dies 30 days later, anyway, seems unsustainable.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    So, what IS the answer?
    February 13, 2013 6:11 am
    Perhaps as much as ObamaCare has gutted from Medicare, there will be nothing left to sustain your corps 30 extra days. ... But, wait - maybe that IS the plan.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    sustain your corps 30 extra days
    February 13, 2013 12:29 pm
    Is that "corpse" like a dead body or "corps" like the idiot Owebama read from his telepromtor?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Either way - or both.
    February 13, 2013 12:56 pm
    .....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Health Care Costs
    February 13, 2013 5:52 am
    Will soar beyond ability to cover the costs especially when you take into account that Alzheimer's is expected to triple by 2050. The extent as to what they are doing to keep these folks alive can also be disheartening. Here is a prime example. My father in law died last November due to complications from Alzheimer's. He entered a care facility at a cost of $4,000 per month(out of pocket). He entered 14 months prior to his death having pretty much having lost 90% of his memory. Within 2 months he was in diapers. 2 Months later needed to be lead around and couldn't remember how to form words. Medications were adjusted to keep him alive. My mother in law saw to it that his insulin was given when it should and his blood pressure medication was adjusted. To make long story not so long, Hospice entered the equation 1 week prior to his death. The facility couldn't manage him anymore. They told my mother in law either bring in hospice or find another place. Hospice(than k God) told my mother in law to get him off of his meds and let nature take its course. He died peacefully within 5 days. This should have been done long ago. They are going too far to keep people alive who's quality of life is far long gone. My father in law would have wanted what was done, but my mother in law didn't want to play God. I think you will see more of this sort of thing happening down the road, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    WSU
    February 13, 2013 6:35 am
    Sorry for your loss and on this issue, I agree with you. Unfortunately, the real problem will be the costs of this type of care will be passed on to the middle class. The Affordable Care Act is going to be anything but.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Fish So you say Let em die
    February 13, 2013 10:16 am
    I agree,my sister and I made that decision several years ago with my mother.She was also a alzheimer's patient who after an operation for a broken hip never came out of anesthesia she was kept alive by way of a feeding tube,after several weeks we decided to have the feeding tube removed.I wish that she could have been given a drug to end her life but she starved to death.But our Mother was a proud person who never would have died with a machine attached to her.Medicine is better keeping you breathing then curing you of your ills and yes this will drive heath care prices higher.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Not Me
    February 13, 2013 5:14 pm
    But the Government will...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    & M101
    February 13, 2013 5:24 pm
    I' m sorry that you had to go through that. My heartfelt condolences.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    Correction
    February 13, 2013 7:40 am
    Cost care was $8,000 per month, not $4,000.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Not original
    February 13, 2013 9:16 am
    So you must have played into sarah Palin's propaganda. That doesn't bode well for accuracy. Listen, nobody is going to let Grandma die if treatment is worth the money in prolonging a life. But if a 90 year old whose health is faultering, overweight, and in bed all day needs a kidney transplant, do we go ahead and pay the hospital $80,000 for their efforts?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Rubio has more
    February 13, 2013 5:58 am
    Integrity and intelligence in his toe nail than Obama will ever hope to achieve in his entire lifetime. Did anybody buy Barry's rehashed campaign BS last night? Does the man ever stop campaigning? And someone please explain to me how raising minimum wage is going o stimulate job growth? Anyone who believes that bigger government and more wasteful spending is going to fix this economy is a fool. It hasn't worked over the last 4 years. Spending $TRILLIONS more on a worthless stimulus is a pathetic excuse for leadership. Rubio is 10 times the leader Obama will ever be.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • borosnw wrote...
    The people have spoken
    February 13, 2013 7:34 am
    Rubio, next time have the bottle of water next to you where you can easily reach. That was the most funny thing I've seen of late. mayplefish, you were supposed to be in hibernation, 2016 is not here yet, stay in your cave, don't come out until then.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Borosnw
    February 13, 2013 9:50 am
    That was funny, but if you buy into Obama's pathetic re-hashed campaign speech, you might want to pay attention to what this idiot has planned...MORE SPENDING.....and please, explain what Obama's stimulus has accomplished? How has his $6 TRILLION in deficit spending done anything to spur growth or job creation??? Get back to us when you have some facts....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • borosnw wrote...
    maplefish I'm just glad
    February 13, 2013 1:28 pm
    that most voters aren't like you. And the way the Republicans are heading, we'll see the first Madam President comes 2016. Awesome! Without those stimulus, our econmy would have been much worst off then we are today no doubt. Please reread your comparison about Rubio's intellectual vs. Obama. Ask yourself this question, would a reasonable person made such claim knowing that President Obama was the first Black student to name President of Harvard Law Review. He has been a public servant all his life even though he could make more money by working in a private firm. When Rubio said President Obama wanted to grow government, wasn't that a lie? When did Obama say that? maplefish are you and Sarah Palin related?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Borosnw - HAHAHA You are sooo funny
    February 13, 2013 5:15 pm
    Read this and use your tiny liberal brain http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vowHQwFUHAY#!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • borosnw wrote...
    maplefish
    February 14, 2013 9:23 am
    Have you looked yourself in the mirror at all? Calling someone who happened to be a law professor and graduated from Ivy League School an idiot? What would that make you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Howdy wrote...
    boros
    February 13, 2013 12:35 pm
    Yes, that water thing was funny. What was he thinking? He should have at least had someone faint in front of him so he could appear heroic and give them the water.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Gar57 wrote...
    Gee, with all that integrity
    February 13, 2013 11:52 am
    you think he could have avoided lying his a** off about how government created the 2008 recession. Sorry, I went into his response with an open mind (because I actually like the guy) and was immediately turned off by that bit of rhetoric.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Keep in mind, Gar57...
    February 13, 2013 3:48 pm
    ...who was in charge of the House and Senate, and therefore financial regulations, in the years leading up to the Great Recession.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Barney Frank
    February 13, 2013 5:30 pm
    Head of HUD blackmailed and forced banks into relaxing lending and approving BAD Home loans that they knew would go into foreclosure...are you people really that ill- informed? It was the Democrats that decided everybody deserved a home because it wasn't fair that people with bad credit and sshittty jobs could get a $500,000 mortgage....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Well, Dave, if Obama's address hadn't been longer that Fidel Castro's orations in his prime.....
    February 13, 2013 6:02 am
    there might have been time for and actual response. (and, perhaps, if the president had provided advanced text). As it was, I fell asleep for 2 hours and awoke to think I was watching the rerun, only to discover it was STILL the original address. .... And by that time, USA Today was already going to press the second Mr. Obama was finished, so if Rubio's comments were to be reported at all, they HAD to be as pre-prepared.

    So, how is this for an idea? Instead of starting his speech at 9PM eastern time (is that REALLY when easterners start watching TV?) - not counting the delays - the president could have started much earlier (and/or have talked less) and let everyone catch the reruns on FOX & CNN, which were played all night anyway.

    It would also have been appreciated, Dave, if the president had been more factual in his address. Or explain why and how some of HIS policies contributed to Medicare problems and shortages - but that's another story.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    There's another option...
    February 13, 2013 9:43 am
    Truman re-started this silliness of bringing both houses together and televising a speech. How about going back to pre-Truman days and have the President send a letter on the State of the Union. Do we all not know what the State of the Union is anyway?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    I feel for your loss wsualumn
    February 13, 2013 6:03 am
    But the simple fact still remains, under ObamaCare, there are "Death Panels" or something staffed with regime automatons with different designations. Government funds will not be used to sustain the life of those who can no longer contribute (Pay taxes) to substandard government administered health care.

    ObamaCare will throw to the curb the most brainwashed, the most fanatical of Left wing Parrots who will go as far to have a picture of the Dear Leader mounted on the inside lid of their coffins so they can gaze upon the glorious image of their Dear Leader through all eternity. Even if they don't believe in the life in the world to come. Amen!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wsualumn wrote...
    HA HA
    February 13, 2013 7:44 am
    The same can be said about what they have under private insurance plans. There has been a number of times when insurance companies deny treatment.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    With private insurance...
    February 13, 2013 9:16 am
    ...there are checks and balances and competition and remediation.

    When government controls health care, you've got the fox guarding the hen house.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    hyperinflation is coming
    February 13, 2013 6:11 am
    "Tonight, let’s declare that, in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full time should have to live in poverty -- and raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour."

    What he means... It will soon take wheelbarrow full of dollars to buy a loaf of bread, enjoy your pay raise chumps.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Wonder what the Messiah does
    February 13, 2013 7:03 am
    when the Stock market takes its plunge later this year.

    Quantitative Easing going to return to bite us in the keester.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Now appearing at Yuk Yuks
    February 13, 2013 6:13 am
    "Already, the Affordable Care Act is helping to slow the growth of health care costs. "..bwahaaahaaahaaaa

    and the rise of the oceans is beginning to slow and the planet is beginning to heal....yadda yadda yadda

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    When Obama said that...
    February 13, 2013 9:17 am
    ...I thought the exact same thing.

    BTW: Obama's "Fix it First Program". Is that anything like "shovel-ready jobs"?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    Not to mention, hours before, he voted NO to the the Women violence act
    February 13, 2013 6:22 am
    I thought this was the new Republican party? Looks like same ol same ol. How can someone who wants to win the Presidency vote against the largest block of voters?

    Thanks Rubio, we can count you out in 2016. Too bad too, cause you are a lot less scary than Ryan and the Teas.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Calapete
    February 13, 2013 6:37 am
    Has there been a real rise in violence against women over the last 25 years? I think not, but keep drinking the Kool-aid....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cigarillo wrote...
    @Calapete
    February 13, 2013 7:07 am
    Way to go Petey! You simplified a vote cast for a reason that you have no idea about to "Them 'publicans hate chicks." You're the low information voter that those pandering wienies in the Senate are counting on.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    uh hum
    February 13, 2013 9:54 am
    is that all you guys have? I guess you should be quiet after Obama embarrassed thee GOP last night.

    Mid term elections are looking good, especially after the House votes no on the Violence on Women act AND allow the Sequester to happen.

    The Majority of Americans WILL blame the GOP for that. They already do.

    Who does the GOP represent? Certainly not the people who elected Obama for two terms.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "For a guy who has no plan, that sounds like a pretty serious plan. "
    February 13, 2013 6:33 am
    Really....Simpson Bowles was not implemented by your leader in 2010, and it appears that now he wants to make sure that the medical care you won't receive is given in a lving manner, "medical bills shouldn't be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital. It should be based on the quality of care our seniors receive." Yup, I guess your are correct, he has a plan.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cigarillo wrote...
    @MNPat
    February 13, 2013 7:11 am
    I'd give a dollar to anyone who could explain, "medical bills shouldn't be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital. It should be based on the quality of care our seniors receive." Did the president hope that we would forget the beginning of the sentence by the time he got to the end? Did someone sabotage the teleprompter?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Even if they don't believe in the life in the world to come. Amen!
    February 13, 2013 6:36 am
    if your in it who wants it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    if your in it who wants it?
    February 13, 2013 6:51 am
    Not you, toots. Obviously!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FormerMarineSgt wrote...
    What's hilarious is that other than the Obama bashing, Rubio's speech nothing but...
    February 13, 2013 6:50 am
    What's hilarious is that other than the Obama bashing, Rubio's speech nothing but... A restating of nearly exactly the same things that Obama himself said. Seriously - take out the Obama bashing and you get nothing more than part of Obama's speech rehashed and restated with the exact same desires and intended actions from Rubio's side of the aisle. I was laughing through most of his speech because of it (even without the repeated wiping of his face and the hiliarious water bottle reach).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • awbitf wrote...
    Shhhhh....
    February 13, 2013 6:59 am
    keep pointing out the truth that at the core the Dems and Repubs are now the same, and you'll blow this whole media-based economy thing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Hey Sarg - Read this
    February 13, 2013 5:16 pm
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vowHQwFUHAY#!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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