We've been talking a lot lately about how Alan Grayson is setting an example for Democrats with his blunt, unapologetic, no-holds-barred approach to dealing with Republicans. And now CBS News is reporting that this approach has scored him a victory:
Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida, a self-proclaimed "Democrat with guts," appears unlikely to be subject to a resolution of disapproval for suggesting that part of the Republican health care plan is for Americans to "die quickly if you get sick."
The Associated Press is reporting that a spokesman for Republican Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, who drafted a resolution of disapproval against Grayson and threatened to introduce it on the House floor, is suggesting that Price does not plan to do so.
The statement from Rep. Price's spokesman is positively dripping with weak surrender:
"...at this point the people of his district are probably in the best position to register their approval or disapproval of Mr. Grayson's consistently embarrassing behavior," said Price spokesman Brendan Buck.
Shorter spokesman: "Uncle".
Chris Bowers at Open Left makes a very good point:
It is almost unprecedented for Republicans to back down from their demands for an apology from a Democrat. And yet, that is exactly what happened here.
And Talking Points Memo is reporting that Grayson is not showing any inclination to tone down his rhetoric. Appearing on a radio show this morning, he had this to say:
"Honestly, the people I deal with, the people I actually am across the aisle with every day, I don't think they care about ordinary people. I don't think that the Republicans in Congress actually have a heart. I'll be honest with you."
So let's summarize: in the past few days, Grayson has bluntly stated that the only Republican health care plan is for people to die quickly (which is technically true, since they don't have a plan), and that Republicans in Congress have no heart. And not only is he not apologizing for any of it, the GOP has actually backed down on introducing a resolution of disapproval. And did I mention that it's also raising him a lot of money? (Act Blue donation page is here).
I think the evidence is in: Alan Grayson has a winning strategy. Think his colleagues are noticing?
Added -- See also: TomP's recommended diary for another example of spine.