GOP Congresswoman Scolds CNN's Carol Costello: 'You're Getting Awfully Angry'

October 22nd, 2013 4:13 PM

Despite the disaster the rollout of ObamaCare has been - as well as the number of media members that have surprisingly pointed it out! - the White House has to be pleased to know that there are still some so-called "journalists" out there fighting in their behalf.

CNN's Carol Costello was a perfect example Tuesday, and got so heated with Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) that the Congresswoman scolded, "You're getting awfully angry about this situation. I hate that you're in this position" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

CAROL COSTELLO, HOST: Well, I will say I know that you're in favor of getting rid of Obamacare, but the governor also slammed the ongoing fight by some in your party to get rid of the law. Here's what he had to say about that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR (D), KENTUCKY: They've weaved this web of misinformation that's been out there for months now. But guess what? Now that the exchanges are open the people in Kentucky are getting on there and finding out for themselves. And that's what I've told them. I said, "Look, you don't have to like the president, you don't have to like me because this is not about the president. It's not about me. It's about you. It's about your families, it's about your  children.

So just go on there and check it out and you're going to like what you find and that's what's happening. They are finding that they can get affordable health coverage for the first time in their lives, and I'll guarantee you about a year from now, they're going to look back at these critics, including a lot of these senators and representatives, and they're going to say, "You misled us, because, hey this works. I got affordable healthcare.

(END VIDEO CLIP)


COSTELLO: So he laid out the scenario. So, let's say that -- that the effort to fire Kathleen Sebelius is successful and she is fired. But Obamacare is still there and it will be there, because you're not going to get rid of it. So will Republicans at some point sit down and say, "Wow, this is working in Kentucky. Maybe we should really examine what's happening here and fix what's wrong with other healthcare exchanges across the country?"

REPRESENTIAVE RENEE ELLMERS (R), NORTH CAROLINA: Well, let's look at another state that actually Obamacare was modeled after like Tennessee with TennCare, a monumental failure. I think it lasted about 12 years before they were able to erase the whole entire thing and it put Tennessee in an economic disastrous situation. is that really what we really want for Kentucky?

I appreciate the governor's words and the optimism that he has, but the fact of the matter is, I'm looking at results. The results are right now that the Obamacare exchange rollout is a complete failure.

COSTELLO: But you're discounting everything that the Kentucky governor is saying. You're discounting it all Instead of sitting down with him and saying, "Governor, let's talk, let's figure this out together. Let's figure out what's political in what you're saying." You're just discounting what he has to say outright.

ELLMERS: Well, you know, the issue here is I'm looking out for North Carolinians first and foremost, and Americans across the country. Again, I appreciate the governor's remarks. I appreciate the fact that he's in support of this. I respect it.

COSTELLO: But you don't. You don't.

ELLMERS: But the fact of the matter is, we have to look at results. We can't just look at criticisms.

COSTELLO: We are just looking at criticisms. You're just looking at criticism. You're discounting what he has to say.

ELLMERS: You're getting awfully angry about this situation. I hate that you're in this position.


I hate it, too.

Someone that's been around as long as Costello should at this point be able to keep her cool in a civilized discussion without clearly getting angry and raising her voice to her guest who remained calm and respectful throughout the interview despite her host's behavior.

But I guess it can't be just MSNBC fighting the good fight for the President.

(HT @virtualaudrey)