GOP rallies against WH adviser's 'stupidity' claim

WASHINGTON (AP) — Newly surfaced videos are adding fresh energy to the efforts of congressional conservatives to repeal President Barack Obama's health care law, feeding into their contention that the overhaul was approved through a scheme of deception.

One video shows MIT economist Jonathan Gruber, an adviser in the law's drafting, saying that "the stupidity of the American voter" helped Democrats pass the complex legislation. The comment was made in 2013, but recent attention has renewed conservatives' resolve.

Republicans say the remark shows a cynical strategy by Democrats to camouflage the law's politically unpalatable aspects and sneak them past an unsuspecting public.

Gruber has since disavowed the most controversial of his remarks, saying he spoke inappropriately and regrets the comments.