An act in three parts, featuring Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), played out on Twitter over the last few days.
VP Pence went first, posting a video of himself on Friday speaking about the (now dead) Senate health-care bill.
Let me be clear: The Senate health-care bill strengthens and secures Medicaid for the neediest in our society. #BetterCare pic.twitter.com/rThIZtB9zi
— Vice President Pence (@VP) July 14, 2017
The next day, Sen. Murphy quote-tweeted Pence's video and said that there was a "real evil in the epidemic rate of lying" that is currently happening in Washington.
I'm going to say it - there is real evil in the epidemic rate of lying that is going on right now. This is not normal. https://t.co/ifkV1GWAUH
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 15, 2017
To which Pence replied on Monday that the current Obamacare law contained quite a bit of lies and half-truths as well--namely, the 2013 PolitiFact Lie of the Year of "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor." For good measure, Pence also included the Pinocchio emoji of a face with a growing nose.
You mean like, "If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor."? ?? https://t.co/GUpFKhe7pz
— Vice President Pence (@VP) July 17, 2017
Daaaaaaaaang.
While not quite admitting defeat, Murphy then thanked Pence for the reply, and claimed that pointing out that others lied too "isn't a defense." (Although one could say it's at least progress now that Democrats are admitting that people lied during the leadup to the passage of Obamacare.)
Thanks for the reply, but claiming someone else lied too isn't a defense. The bill does not "secure Medicaid". I'm confident you know this. https://t.co/0OqkijAaK7
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 18, 2017
Who knew VP Pence could be that intense on Twitter?