GOP Candidate for Governor Bradley Byrne issued a press release this morning saying he would opt-out of the health care reform legislation being developed in Washington. That makes him the first of the candidates to take a stand on the issue, which I blogged will become maybe the most important issue of the campaign. The Byrne statement wasn't on his campaign web site as of 12:15, so I'm going by the Press-Register's story. I'll be interested in seeing what he plans to do---if anything-- about Alabamians without health insurance. Byrne is taking the Republican Party line, not unexpected considering his political background.
What will other Republicans do? What will Artur Davis do? He's the only candidate who will actually have a vote on the plan since he is a still a member or Congress? And Ron Sparks? He pledges to keep Medicaid financially secure, and the "public-option" is basically an extension of Medicaid-benefits to much of the rest of the population.
Stay tuned.
[UPDATE: 2:45pm The Byrne campaign has the statement online now here. He calls the "states opt-out aspect a ploy to cloud the issue.]
[UPDATE 3:10pm: From Politico: Few expect Rep. Artur Davis to back the bill because he's running for governor in Alabama, a conservative stronghold.]
[UPDATE 4:00pm Another Alabama Democrat says he'll vote against the measure. Read the Parker Griffith story here. Is Bobby Bright next?]
[UPDATE AT 4:50PM Alabama GOP smells blood in the water.]
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