Clinton to TNDP: “Play Offense”

Former President Bill Clinton wants Tennessee Democrats to “play offense” against Republicans, particularly on issues like healthcare overhaul.

Clinton spoke in Nashville Saturday night at the party’s annual Jackson Day fundraiser.

Clinton says most opponents of healthcare overhaul aren’t protesting in bad faith – He says they’re genuinely scared. But he argues the United States is already rationing treatment – along economic lines – which he calls “cruel and mean.”

Clinton says the country spends much more than others on healthcare, even though not everyone is insured.

“And that’s one reason we spend too much, because the people without coverage – Oh, they get healthcare, when they’re too sick and too expensive to care for, and they show up at the most expensive place imaginable – the emergency room – and then you pay for it in your healthcare premium.”

Clinton says Democrats have to pass something, because Republicans would exploit any failure for political gain. He says that’s how the GOP took control of Congress in 1994, after his own bid to overhaul healthcare failed.

EXTRA – DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES:

Also Saturday Tennessee’s Democratic candidates for governor pushed their respective campaigns; several of the candidates spoke to the connection between education and jobs.

State Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle reiterated his pledge to fund college dropouts returning to school, while former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan called for more state collaboration between higher education and business. Businessman Ward Cammack again pressed for Tennessee to establish itself as a leader in sustainable energy technology and jobs.

Candidate Mike McWherter reminisced about his experiences as the son of former Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter, but stressed that he invested his own money to enter the business world. And State Senator Roy Herron underscored his faith, while accusing Republicans of trying to monopolize the Christian vote.