Cornyn: Franken in Senate may not be all bad for GOP

Speaking at a health care forum in Dallas today, Sen. John Cornyn said the news that Al Franken will become the junior senator from Minnesota and give Democrats a filibuster-proof majority makes it tougher to block the creation of a government-run public health care program.

"Sixty votes in the Senate means you can do whatever you want to do so that makes it much harder," Cornyn said. "On the other hand, that means whatever is done, the majority is going to own it and they're going to be held responsible for it in the next election so be careful what you ask for."

Cornyn also acknowledged that the confirmation hearings on Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court may now be a foregone conclusion if Democrats are united in favor of her.

"I think if they're determined to seat her and they have 60 votes, they can do so but that still doesn't mean we shouldn't do our job in good faith trying to, in good faith, do an appropriate confirmation hearing and process," Cornyn said.

Cornyn was appearing at his tenth forum in recent weeks on health care reform. Earlier in the day, he attended a forum in Houston joined by fellow Republican Sen. John McCain. According to staffers, the general sense he's getting at the forums is that Texans don't like the idea of a government-run health care program.

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[Pete]

He's asking the wrong Texans about government run health to say Texans weren't in favor of it. I sent him an email Monday in support of it. I know I am not the only one in Texas in favor of government run health care. Only right wing Republicans show up at his forums because others know they won't be listen to. Just wait until you get stuck with an out of network doctor and we will see how wonderful you think your private insurance is.

[S Watson]

And Senator Corny continues his anti-govt. campaign. Let's keep that medical fraud and extortion going folks. That's what Texans want?

[Rorschach]

If you have deep enough pockets, you can buy any health care you desire under the current system. Great if you have the deep pockets. Beware if you have a pre-existing condition - your options are: 1) get really deep pockets really fast, 2) die

[annatopia]

we need a public option, dammit. no more murder by spreadsheet!

[Dave Sommers]

Yes,let's have a gov't run health plan,the Gov't does such a wonderful job at running everything else,have you ever had to deal with a gov't employee???