Romney Adviser: GOP President Won’t Repeal All of Obamacare

Norm Coleman, an adviser to presidential hopeful Mitt Romney whose advice was once described as “critical” by the candidate, believes that his boss — or any Republican — won’t be able to repeal Obamacare if they defeat Barack Obama.

"You will not repeal the act in its entirety, but you will see major changes, particularly if there is a Republican president," Coleman told BioCentury This Week in an interview that aired Sunday, according to The Hill. "You can't whole-cloth throw it out. But you can substantially change what's been done."

The Romney campaign put out a statement to counter the sting of the former Minnesota senator’s comments, which appear to contradict Romney’s public statements.

"With all due respect to Sen. Coleman, he's wrong," snapped campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul, reports The Hill. "Gov. Romney can and will repeal Obamacare and is committed to doing so."

Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh poked fun at Coleman’s remarks Wednesday, imitating Romney as the candidate rails on about Obamacare in public appearance after public appearance.

“Romney's out there, the first thing he says at every debate, [imitation of Romney's voice] 'I'm gonna repeal Obamacare. I'm gonna get rid of it. It's the last thing we're gonna have, it's destructive. It will tear the country apart'," said Limbaugh, adding, “Every debate. Every campaign appearance. Every speech. He probably dreams it. ‘I'm gonna repeal Obamacare.’ Romney adviser: ‘No, we won't be able to repeal Obamacare. There's no way. You're never gonna be able to get rid of it in its entirety.’ "

Romney and all of the GOP presidential candidates have made the repeal of Obamacare a central election theme.

Coleman went on to say in the BioCentury interview that Obamacare “may collapse” if the Supreme Court, in a much-anticipated ruling later this year, strikes down the insurance requirement.

"If there's a Republican president, what you'll see is states getting waivers ... granted and then starting again, making sure that we lower costs, which this act hasn't done, while we provide better access," Coleman added.

In announcing Coleman’s selection as an adviser in September 2011, Romney said the one-term senator’s "advice will be critical as I lay out my vision for improving our economy at home and strengthening our partnerships around the world.”

The American Action Network, which is chaired by Coleman, advocates striking down the individual mandate and expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare.


Read more on Newsmax.com: Romney Adviser: GOP President Won’t Repeal All of Obamacare

Rasmussen: National Newt 35-Mitt 28, Florida Newt 41-Mitt 32

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s victory in South Carolina continues to lift him nationwide, as a new Rasmussen Reports survey gives him a seven-point lead, 35-28 percent over Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential sweepstakes.

The two front-runners reversed spots from last week, when former Massachusetts Gov. Romney had 30 percent and former House Speaker Gingrich, 27 percent. 

In the new national telephone survey of 1,000 likely GOP primary voters on Jan. 23, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum’s support is little changed at 16 percent, while Texas Rep. Ron Paul picks up 10 percent. Two percent prefer some other candidate in the race, while 9 percent are undecided. 

Support for Gingrich has jumped a total of 19 points in two Rasmussen surveys since early January, while Romney's support has held steady, according to the polling firm’s analysis.

The national table-turning echoes that in Florida, where a pivotal primary contest looms Tuesday. Two weeks ago, Romney had a 22-point lead over Gingrich in the Sunshine State, but new Rasmussen Reports polling released Monday shows the former speaker with 41 percent support now among likely GOP primary voters in the Sunshine State with Romney in second at 32 percent.

Almost 40 percent of GOP voters nationwide now believe Gingrich would be the strongest opponent against President Barack Obama in the general election, while 37 percent say that of Romney. This represents a big shift from last week, when 43 percent viewed Romney as the strongest Obama opponent and 29 percent opted for Gingrich. More than 60 percent consider Paul the weakest general election opponent to Obama. 

Newt Surges to Lead in Fla., Romney Trails by 8 Points.

Newt Gingrich has now surged to a significant lead over Mitt Romney in Florida, leading the former front-runner now by 8 points, according to a new poll by InsiderAdvantage completed Sunday night of likely Republican primary voters.

The InsiderAdvantage poll of of 557 registered Republican voters is one of the first polls taken in Florida in the aftermath of Gingrich's double-digit win in the South Carolina primary Saturday.

The poll results follow:

Gingrich: 34% 

Romney: 26%

Paul: 13%

Santorum: 11%

Other: 2%

No opinion: 14%

The InsiderAdvantage poll was the first major poll last week to show the significant surge for Gingrich in South Carolina.

"The poll shows a huge bounce for Newt Gingrich, coming out of  South Carolina," Matt Towery, chief pollster for InsiderAdvantage 
told Newsmax. "It reflects the fact that Florida is a bellwether
for the rest of the nation."

He added: "Gingrich has been closing the gap nationally, according to the Gallup tracking poll, Florida is a reflection that Republicans nationally are moving toward to Gingrich."

He warned that the race is still “a very volatile situation…Romney s going to be loaded for bear and if Newt stumbles in a debate…it could be real trouble for him.”

Read more on Newsmax.com: Newt Surges to Lead in Fla., Romney Trails by 8 Points
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