Flowers More Liberal Than Harry Reid On Opt-Out

HIXSON, OCTOBER 28 –  Democrat Congressional Candidate Paula Flowers today gave Tennesseans a sample of her political leanings when she ignored the concerns of Governor Phil Bredesen and took a position to the left of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on the “opt-out”provision in his plan to have the government take over the nation’s health care system.

In a statement posted on her Twitter page, Flowers stated that, “Opt Out for Public Option in Senate Health Care bill is cop out – Insurance lobby will bully states where they already control the market”

Earlier this month, a review by Governor Phil Bredesen’s administration estimated the proposals under consideration could cost Tennessee as much as $1.2 billion at a time when the state is struggling with diminished tax revenues and growing deficits.

“We have known that, if elected, Paula Flowers’ first vote in Congress will be to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House,” said Mark Winslow, spokesman for the Smith campaign. “I think the voters of the Third District will be surprised to learn that Ms. Flowers intends to stand to the left of Harry Reid. If she believes his plan doesn’t go far enough in having the government run our health care system, her values are clearly not compatible with those of Tennesseans. Ms. Flowers’ statement today should serve as a warning that she intends to support the liberal agenda in Washington.