Incoming Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) won his campaign on a message of opposition to and repeal of the Democratic health care reform legislation, but it hasn't taken long for him to signal that some of the things considered in the package would be nice to have for himself.
"He stood up and asked the two ladies who were answering questions why it had to take so long, what he would do without 28 days of health care," a congressional staffer present at a freshman orientation session told Politico of Harris's reaction to news that his health care benefits wouldn't go into effect until nearly a month after his swearing in.
Politico relays the kicker:
"Harris then asked if he could purchase insurance from the government to cover the gap," added the aide, who was struck by the similarity to Harris's request and the public option he denounced as a gateway to socialized medicine.
"This is the only employer I've ever worked for where you don't get coverage the first day you are employed," his spokeswoman Anna Nix told Politico, before explaining that the statements were grievances about the failures of government-run health care, and therefore a perfect fit into his campaign rhetoric against health care reform. For more, check out Politico's full story.