Is Harrell Kirstein now going to have to be Shaheen's "Bahgdad Bob"? - Granite Grok

Is Harrell Kirstein now going to have to be Shaheen’s “Bahgdad Bob”?

First we get the news that Harrell Kirstein, NHDP Ray Buckles chief mouthflack, has moved over from being obnoxious from the NH Democrat Party to being a pin-cushion  for the re-election crew for US Senator Jeanne Shaheen (Progressive – NH) (emphasis mine, reformatted):

Now that New Hampshire appears to have an exciting race for U.S. Senate, the lead spokesperson for the New Hampshire Democratic Party will move to the re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.   Harrell Kirstein began as Shaheen’s campaign communications director on Tuesday. He is being replaced at the state party by Julie McClain, who was working as a press secretary for a U.S. senator from Hawaii.  Kirstein has worked in New Hampshire since 2010 in positions at the state Democratic Party and with President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

“While it has been fantastic working with everyone at the New Hampshire Democratic Party, I am looking forward to an exciting new experience and making sure Senator Shaheen is re-elected to continue her work for the people of New Hampshire,” Kirstein said.

And I couldn’t think of a better soul to be flapping flacking his gums, especially where THE issue of the campaign will be how Shaheen is connected at the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and head with President Obama.  After all, when you vote 99% of the time with him, you just might as well BE him, right?  Harrell, even as Obamacare is bringing misery & despair to most of us (except those who are on the good end of Obama’s redistribution efforts), we’gonna have fun with you.  Remember, back in 2009, she made a couple of promises.  Harrell, do you see what that sign says behind her?  Clear as a bell, her promises she made:

Shaheen Obamacare choice competitionShe promised us that we could keep our insurance, Harrell (I lost mine).  She promised us increased choice – well, she screwed that up originally with her SB 711 bill as a NH State Senator, didn’t she, Harrell?  And then Obamacare (60th vote, Harrell, she was.  The deciding vote, she cast, Harrell) was supposed to give us more competition – and now we see that only ONE health insurance provider has signed up for this WONDERFUL program called Obamacare.  It was supposed lower our premiums by $2,500 / year, according to Obasheen – and today we find they are going to go up, WAY up!

Health industry officials say ObamaCare-related premiums will double in some parts of the country, countering claims recently made by the administration.

The expected rate hikes will be announced in the coming months amid an intense election year, when control of the Senate is up for grabs. The sticker shock would likely bolster the GOP’s prospects in November and hamper ObamaCare insurance enrollment efforts in 2015.

The industry complaints come less than a week after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sought to downplay concerns about rising premiums in the healthcare sector. She told lawmakers rates would increase in 2015 but grow more slowly than in the past.

“The increases are far less significant than what they were prior to the Affordable Care Act,” the secretary said in testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee.

Her comment baffled insurance officials, who said it runs counter to the industry’s consensus about next year.

“It’s pretty shortsighted because I think everybody knows that the way the exchange has rolled out … is going to lead to higher costs,” said one senior insurance executive who requested anonymity.

The insurance official, who hails from a populous swing state, said his company expects to triple its rates next year on the ObamaCare exchange.

Baghdad BobHarrell, you might as put on the Baghdad Bob uniform – you remember him from the Gulf war – especially when he flapped his arms all around denouncing reporters questions and stating categorically that the American M1A1 tanks would never enter Baghdad itself – a few blocks down said type of tank crossed the street behind him?

And even with all of the unilateral changes that Obasheen has made in the Obamacare law isn’t going to change that.  So, Harrell, let me give you some talking points, courtesy of The Corner:

A:  Obamacare is really hurting people.
B:   No it’s not.
A:   Yes it is. Look at this woman over here. She’s lost her doctor.
B:  She’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with her. Koch Brothers.
A:  She’s not fine. And many of her friends are paying higher premiums.
B:   No they’re not. Karl Rove. Misinformation. Pre-existing conditions.
A: They are. This is a matter of public record.
B: This isn’t the case. This would have happened anyway.
A: If it isn’t the case, how can it have happened anyway?
B: I didn’t say it had.

…“Yes, there are lots of losers with Obamacare, despite our assurance that there would be none, but overall the sector is better than it was before.”

This campaign may end up being amusing after all!

A:  Obamacare is really hurting people.
B:   No it’s not.
A:   Yes it is. Look at this woman over here. She’s lost her doctor.
B:  She’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with her. Koch Brothers.
A:  She’s not fine. And many of her friends are paying higher premiums.
B:   No they’re not. Karl Rove. Misinformation. Pre-existing conditions.
A: They are. This is a matter of public record.
B: This isn’t the case. This would have happened anyway.
A: If it isn’t the case, how can it have happened anyway?
B: I didn’t say it had.

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