Senate Hopeful Rob "Teabagger" Simmons is Hypocrite of the Week for Suggesting Unemployed People Use Government-Run Healthcare

Rob Simmons

Former Connecticut Congressman Rob Simmons is doing all he can to try and stand out from the crowded field of candidates vying for the Republican endorsement to run against Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) next year. It's clear Simmons is taking this very seriously; he even teabagged the Constitution!

But it seems the 66-year-old Vietnam vet may be working a little too hard lately. Yes, we at BuzzFlash recommend he take a nice, long holiday this December so that he can relax. That way in January, he'll be able to talk about healthcare without totally contradicting himself.

In an interview with DoingItLocal.com's David Smith, Simmons was asked a simple question, one that perhaps his future constituents might ask. What should those who are struggling with unemployment in these tough times do about obtaining affordable health insurance?

Instead of following the typical GOP line that these poor people should just get better or die (oh and stop suing doctors, because that's the one and only reason that healthcare is so expensive in this country), Simmons made the mistake of actually trying to help people. He suggested his constituents check out this sweet little program we got over here called government-run healthcare, also known as Medicaid.

The video of the interview, along with this excerpt of Simmons' answer, is available at Think Progress:

Obviously if you lose your job and you fall within the income limits, you are eligible to sign up for Medicaid. There are other low cost options available but we really have to make sure is that people have the information they need so they can sign up for a plan that's going to work for them. [...] I am sympathetic to those confronted with the loss of healthcare. I would urge people to get in contact with their member of Congress to learn about the options available.

So not only is Simmons saying these people should enroll in government-run health insurance, but also he suggests people call the very man he is trying to oust from office. Maybe he has Chris Dodd's number on speed dial?

Of course, Simmons' sudden love for Medicaid must be a sign of complete exhaustion. His campaign Web site clearly states that while Simmons really wants all Americans to have access to healthcare, "putting politicians and government bureaucrats between patients and doctors will only make things worse."

Oh no! Cue the death panels!

On second thought, maybe this is the most ingenious plan ever. After all, if Simmons wanted to distinguish himself as the best person to represent the Republican Party in the 2010 senatorial elections, he's got to give us some evidence of his duplicitous chops. After all, what kind of Republican senator would Simmons be if he wasn't a two-faced hypocrite?  And that's why he's our GOP hypocrite of the week.

Remember our motto: So many Republican hypocrites, so little time.

Catch up with you soon.

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This is Rob Simmons' first GOP Hypocrite of the Week Award. Welcome to the club! You can see a list of all previous nominees here.