Republicans Start Whitewashing Kennedy's Record

Before Ted Kennedy was even in the ground, the Republicans started whitewashing his record. Most ridiculous is there sadness that he died without being able to work on a health care bill. If Teddy was around, then all of this would be okay! It would have bipartisan support! Only Teddy could get us through this!

But he did offer a bill. And McCain, Gregg, and Hatch all voted no on it. Earlier this week, Rachel Maddow blasts all three of them for their phoniness:

In other words: "If only Ted Kennedy were still here." If only he had a health care bill those Republicans say they would have voted for that. You know, uh, Ted Kennedy DID have a health care bill. Senator Kennedy was chair of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which approved a health care reform package in July. It's called the Kennedy Bill. And Senator Kennedy helped write that bill. Senators Hatch, and McCain and Gregg all voted against it. But the revisionist history goes even deeper. They aren't just saying they would have voted for a Kennedy health care bill, even though they had the chance and they didn't.

They're saying they would have voted for a Kennedy health care bill because Ted Kennedy would have compromised with them, because Ted Kennedy was all about making concessions to Republicans.

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And Republicans are getting all up in arms over the politicization of his death, and they are warning Democrats not to make this another Paul Wellstone.

That's why conservatives are fools.

Remember back when Reagan died? The Bush campaign set up a page on their website dedicated to the greatness that was Ronald Reagan, complete with the little "Donate Here" button to help get Bush elected. Limbaugh, Kristol, and his ilk were encouraging Republicans to politicize his death and use it draw support for everything from the Iraq War to additional tax cuts.

They had no problems emphasizing how liberals hated many of Reagan's policies. But with Ted Kennedy? The man they used to personify and vilify the Democratic Party, they act like it was all hugs and kisses.

Kennedy was a proud liberal, and the Republicans hated him for it.