Politics: Vote One Way, Issue a Press Release the Other

Twelve House Republicans have issued a joint press release encouraging state officials to not accept Obamacare funds. However, those 12 also voted on legislation to accept Obamacare funds to start the required health insurance exchanges.

How do they reconcile the change of heart?

"What we voted for was a free-market exchange based on choice and competition... [not] to accept federal money that may require us to set up a federal health care system." - Rep. Randy Grau (R-Edmond)

"...it has become increasingly apparent that we cannot accept this money without also accepting the strings attached to it.." - Rep. Elise Hall (R-OKC)

"I strongly support the private sector and oppose Obamacare and the use of federal money for a health care exchange." - Rep. Dennis Casey (R-Morrison)

"The attachment of the federal money and its link to federal health care was not fully recognized before the vote on the exchange." - Rep. Dustin Roberts (R-Durant)

"Clarification of the issue seems to tie federal grant money to the Obamacare effort." - Rep. Jadine Nollan (R-Sand Springs)

So in other words, the Republicans who voted for HB2130 are trying to reconcile their vote with not understanding what they were voting on. Some of them seem to try to say that they were only voting in favor of part of the bill. That sounds like irresponsible representation to me, and this vote should be remembered in the 2012 elections.