Don’t bet on Republicans to unite to defund Obamacare — because they’re afraid of being blamed for the possible government shutdown that could result, says Rich Lowry, editor of the National Review.
"[It's] very difficult for them to win shutdown fights," Lowry told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.
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"People are kind of primed to believe Republicans are the ones that want to shut down government rather than Democrats ... [and] you already have Republicans on the record, some of them saying we're going to shut down the government to defund Obamacare.
"So if there is a shutdown, those quotes will be flagged all over the place."
Lowry, author of the book “Lincoln Unbound,” added it is highly unlikely Democrats will buckle and say, "OK, it's all over for the initiative we're proudest of in the last 30 or 40 years."
Editor's Note :
Video Exposes Dangers of Obamacare Law
And while the House of Representatives has repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare — officially known as the Affordable Care Act — it's never going to happen with a Democratic Senate and president, he said.
"There's no magic bullet. There's no like cute procedural fight that's going to allow you to get the Democrats to agree to defund or repeal it. It's just not going to happen. Sorry. I wish I had better news," Lowry said.
Earlier, Sally Pipes, president of the Pacific Research Institute, told Steve Malzberg Americans should realize there are alternatives to Obamacare.
Among those proposing other healthcare initiatives are Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas, Sen. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
"There are a lot of plans out there. It's unfortunate that Republicans can't get their act together and sort of stand behind one plan," Pipes said.
"[They must] really stand up and say, the American people don't like this, it is going to be a disaster … If we do not repeal and replace this legislation in 2017, we're on the road to serfdom, there's no off-ramp."
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