October 01, 2013 08:06 AM UTC

Cory Gardner: It's All Obama's Fault

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• by: Colorado Pols

On this first morning of the first shutdown of the federal government since the Macarena was popular, we went looking for statements from Republican members of Congress from Colorado. We figured their explanations for the present state of affairs, given the public's overwhelming view that Republicans are to blame for forcing the shutdown, were the best place to start.

Unfortunately, as of this writing only a statement from Rep. Cory Gardner that actually appeared to be written post-shutdown was available. And boy, is it…we think the best word to describe this is whiny. In its entirety:

What a sad state of affairs we have come to in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives has passed three continuing resolutions in the past two weeks to keep the government operating, and for the first time since 1995 the federal government has screeched to a halt. Republicans in both chambers of Congress have made attempts to negotiate with a President and his party that refuses to do the same.

It is ironic that on the day in which the federal government shuts down, one of the most harmful bills signed into law now becomes an even bigger burden on Americans, our economy, and our healthcare system.  Even the most outspoken proponents of Obamacare, including some of the most powerful unions in the country, have seriously considered calling for a repeal of the President’s healthcare law altogether.

Lambasting your opponents for failing to compromise while simultaneously refusing to negotiate is pathetic at best. It is time for the President to lead and get off the sidelines. Americans from across the country – including many of my constituents – are understandably upset about our current state of affairs. Quite simply, they expect results and few are working to achieve them.

I am working every minute of every day to free this country from a law that is inherently flawed,  an economy that fosters an underemployed workforce, and politicians who are too focused on saving face. I will not stop this fight, and will work with anyone who is serious about solving our problems – regardless of political affiliation.

No mention in this release of Rep. Gardner's dubious health insurance premium hike claims, but it has all the bravado you'd expect from our favorite spunky up-and-comer from Yuma! Curiously though, nothing about the dispensation sought by Gardner and the rest of the Colorado delegation to keep National Guard engineers working on flood zone repair projects? That's still a priority along with "freeing this county" from Obamacare, right?

Reading this statement, it's difficult to know for sure.