Obama Suggests Possibility That Health Reform May Not Happen
Maybe I’m misreading this. But if you look at the transcript of Obama’s remarks at a fundraiser last night, it seems like the President was at least raising the possibility that health reform may not happen.
To be clear, Obama didn’t say this was a desirable outcome — quite the opposite, in fact — but he did seem to suggest that it’s possible.
Obama was asked by a questioner to articulate the strategy for getting reform done. The President did urge Congress to act — though he wasn’t specific on how — saying that after doing a jobs passage over the next week, “we’ve got to go ahead and move forward on a vote.”
But according to the transcript, which was just sent out by the White House, Obama also said this, during a discussion about how the misinformation campaign had soured the public on reform:
So there’s a lot of information out there that people understandably are concerned about. And that’s why I think it’s very important for us to have a methodical, open process over the next several weeks, and then let’s go ahead and make a decision.
And it may be that — you know, if Congress decides — if Congress decides we’re not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not. And that’s how democracy works. There will be elections coming up and they’ll be able to make a determination and register their concerns one way or the other during election time.
Again, Obama did repeatedly state his preference for Congress to get reform done. And perhaps this was meant as more of a threat that if Dems failed they would pay at the ballot box.
But it seems clear that he also acknowledged the possibility that it may not happen — and cast that possibility as something Dem Congressional leaders would ultimately decide on their own. It’s hard to see how that helps the prospects for getting it done.
Update: A number of people have suggested that the term “floats” implies, in one reading, that Obama may have been airing this possibility as a way of testing it. That’s not what I meant, so I’ve replaced it with the term “suggests.”
Also, the post wasn’t meant to imply that Obama isn’t strongly committed to seeing reform done; it says that he urged Congress to pass it. During the same speech, Obama also said: “But here’s the key, is to not let the moment slip away.”
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“Oh Yeah
the presidency goes on
long after the thrill
of being president is gone”
Dems sit on one side of the table, Reps sit on the other, and the President is the go-between/moderator. Then you stick the thing live on C-Span, and the Republicans will end up looking ridiculous.
I think that’s the idea. Wouldn’t that be priceless? It would be an even bigger win than the House GOP Smack-Down.
“anyone have link to Politico piece on Gibbs blasting Shelby?”
It’s a ‘two clicker’-:
http://www.google.com/search?q=it+boggles+the+mind+to+hold+up+qualified+nominees+for+positions+that+are+needed+because+he+didn%92t+get+two+earmarks.%22
“… it boggles the mind to hold up qualified nominees for positions that are needed because he didn’t get two earmarks.”
NYT just jumped to the top of the Google result with this thread, oddly, #3, heh.
Politico’s #2
I agree on the HCR showdown scenario.
WaPo headline the next day: “Obama’s Failure on Bipartisanship”
Greg
You’ll probably see this sometime today, but here’s your Bachmann Chronicles link. Un-freaking believable fundraising letter.
http://minnesotaindependent.com/55035/bachmann-obama-wants-to-annihilate-us
Good snark on Shelby from Yglesias:
“At any rate, I congratulate Shelby on fully exploring the logic of the modern United States Senate. Why, after all, should a great nation of 300 million people have a functioning government if preventing the government from functioning can help a lone Senator advance parochial interests? Why should a Senator act like a statesman when all the objective forces are urging him to act like an unusually pretentious ward heeler? Why hold one nominee when you can hold seven or seventy? Good for him! Now can we change this process? Anyone who’s cleared by committee should be guaranteed a floor vote within some specified short period with the Majority Leader able to schedule the moment unilaterally without unanimous consent or sixty votes or any other nonsense.”
lms: WOW on the Bachmann letter. Not just the crazy, but the length! She’s like one of those people you have to cross the street to avoid talking to or it ruins your whole day.
Oh, the Whack!
No to higher taxes that will destroy jobs. No to government mandates to buy inferior insurance people don’t want or need. No to catastrophic cuts to Medicare. No to tax breaks for Unions that no one else gets. No to dirty back room deals to buy votes. No to all the lies used to sell Health Care Reform like the lie Obama told about keeping your insurance and doctor.(LOL) NO TO OBAMACARE!!!
BG
She reminds me of a couple of distant family members. After a gathering my husband will ask what did so and so have to say, my response, I have no idea, I spent the last three hours trying to stay out of decible range.
I read it as a warning to congress that they’re in for an a**-kicking in November if they don’t get this done. Baisically it’s the same message he keeps trying to hammer into them over and over.
And could we please lay off the Chicken Little routine? Even for a day or two would be nice? I’m begging you.
So what do your sources say about reconciliation? Are they still working through how to go about it?
“No to catastrophic cuts to Medicare.”
Tim, have you caught up with Ryan’s Medicare idea yet? Oh yeah and Social Security?
Imsinca, as a small business person, would you be significantly influenced to hire a new employee who will cost you,,,say 30K in salary, benefits and taxes, on the basis of getting a tax credit that will save you 5K if it is a direct credit or <2K if it is not?
Ryan: privatize Medicare and Social Security.
Shelby: give me my pork or I’ll pull this government over and no one will get anywhere.
And OBAMA’s a radical??
Dear Right Wingers: care to defend these ideas/policy moves??
I think much of the talk with respect to “setting health care reform to the side” is to allow those who are working on getting it through to not have to worry about the media and politicians looking over their shoulder, over analyzing, scoring political points, etc.
This takes eyes off of the “process” — allowing things to actually move while publicly saying “Well, uhm, yeah maybe we’ll do heath care.”
That is my hope, anyway.
At the end of the day, this is on the democrats to get it done and Congressional Democrats are going to have to face the voters after all of this **** and say this is what I’ve done. If they don’t have a bill, they’re screwed.
The senate has been idle all of 2008 while the House passed the president’s agenda. The best Obama can do, shine a light on how broken the senate is and keep up that theme. Because that’s the only way to get anything done; pressure on the senate to act.
I’m with the President as I said yesterday. The Dems are trying to blame Obama when they are the legislative branch. Like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, congress has to write the legislation. I think Obama is refusing to instruct them on how to because they know damn well how to. Who got the legislation written up to this point? The media is so willing to blame Obama that they’re feeding into this narrative about “Obama resusing to lead” when it’s Harry Reid and the rest of the cowards who are in charge of legislation. And, don’t be so sure that if they don’t get it done that voters will be flocking to Republicans. Voters may wise up and realize that that instead of electing those idiots again, they could elect new Dems. Maybe not in all of the states up for grabs but, voters will also be more than fed up with the stall of legislation and putting Republicans in will only guarantee more of the same. I’m looking forward to Blanch Lincoln loosing her seat because I think we can pick up New Hampshire. There are a few more states where we have a chance as well.
actuator,
Obviously, in the form you’ve proposed it the 5k would make more sense. But I would have to look at all the details to make a really informed decision. As a small business we have been downsizing to streamline our business for retirement, it’s just the two of us now. The last few years when we actually had employees the two things that affected our business the most cost-wise were health insurance and workman’s comp. If small businesses could join a larger bargaining pool to reduce health insurance costs it would offer the greatest savings IMHO.
All, Sarah Palin’s camp is escalating her attack on this blog, so I’ve published the email to them asking for comment directly on Rush:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/heres-the-email-to-palin-camp-asking-for-comment-on-rush/
Actually, what I think he meant is, the media keeps saying that the American people don’t want this. That pundits have been saying that the majority of the people like their Health Care and didn’t want it to change.
What Obama is saying is, he’s going to explain it to the people and if they like it and want it, then it will be clear who is not willing to provide Health Care Reform for the American people. And those who don’t may the chips fall where they may.
Look at all the back and forth on this comment thread. I just find it more than interesting that when Obama speaks, no one really knows what he means.
This was true in the campaign and is just as true now. Obama either can’t or won’t lead. Obama is still covering his backside, averting any possible blame, voting PRESENT.
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.
Marybel, your repetition of the idea of voting “present” in the Illinois legislature demonstrates that you don’t know what that really means. It’s not indecisive.
And it’s telling: everyone here who pays attention to what’s going on in this country can tell EXACTLY where you get your info.
The senators are obviously not following a leader who is facing probable defeat in the next election. That may be why the senators keep calling on Obama for reinforcement in leading the senate. Reid should step down because he is weakened as a leader, or somebody stronger should just take the reins.
I get a good, and telling, bit of my info right here, thank you very much. It’s an interesting, lively site.
Obama is a dithering, lousy leader…and I can see you all know his words are just words.
Hartmann is talking to Bernie Sanders right now:
http://www.thomhartmann.com/thomtv-2.php
He’s arguing in support of passing healthcare legislation.
He’s also saying that states should consider passing Single Payer health care plans.
Muchas gracias for the many comments giving helpful insight into the latest batch of democrat worldviewery.
Ryan: privatize Medicare and Social Security.
AKA “Don’t get sick, but if you do, die quickly.”
LOL! You report this as if his opinion matters. Dude, health care reform as the democrats had planned is not happening. Portraying Obama as having even an inkling as to why it is not, is to well over estimate inkling.
You have been teabagged, wipe your chins!
Mark, sooner or later in your lifetime you will see universal single-payer in the USA and you will be in a tiny, tiny ridiculed minority if you are then unhappy with it.
(Unless you’re over 65. I expect if that’s the case it will take longer than you’re likely to live.)
Medicare,Social Security and Medicaid are all going bankrupt. The projected spending for these government run programs are unsustainable. The bottom line is, the only way out of the massive unfunded debt that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid represents is to cut spending and/or raise taxes. Thus enacting another TRILLION dollar Health Care entitlement program is fiscally irresponsible and will only hasten the coming fiscal catastrophe that Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid represents. Face up to it, the government is fiscally incompetent when it comes to managing anything and can never be trusted to keep their pie in the sky promises to the people. By the way, if and when China calls in their loans to us all bets are off. With all the debt already in play, the US may never be able to get out of the debt hole that the Democrats and their pie in the sky spending sprees have gotten the US into.
Harry, Where did you hear Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are “all going bankrupt”? If that is true, why would anyone in their right mind want to double down and spend another trillion dollars on a new government program when Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid need all the money they can get to stay afloat? Hmmm Could it be that old people are expendable in Obama’s and his supporters world view? After all, tax breaks for Union workers, government mandates to buy insurance and back room deals with big Pharma are so so much higher on the list of priorities when it comes to handing over the peoples money to the Obama’s cronies.
Late to the “party”.
I’m with Greg, Obama has not done enough to rally Democrats publicly. Maybe behind the scenes its different, but why is a little cheerleading such a taboo thing for him?
What I see on the Yahoo homepage (where unfortunately many folks first read AP) is an admission that HCR may not pass Congress. Now, you are a fence-sitter who wants to give the Democrats the benefit of the doubt: how do you read this? Instead of seeing a Party that can get things done, what you see is the POTUS saying that *his own party* cant “git ‘er done”.
He is trying to goad them into doing it and he can’t responsible for every assinine article by AP, but a little solidarity with your own Party wouldn’t hurt.
what i’m about to suggest will be quit shocking to some, hear me out. a way to pay for any health care package that comes out of congress is fist abolish the veterans administration health care system and give the veterans a free ride thru the system which we get anyway. all va hospital properties could then be sold or turned over to a university, this would alleviate, some what, the nurse shortage which persists around the country. i’m not suggesting abolishing the veterans administration just the health care system. just think about it for awhile and respond.
@ Oddjob: The Democrats just blew, literally, a once in a lifetime chance to actually inflict their delusional version of health care reform, and doubtful will even return to such idiocy in my lifetime.
The only tiny, ridiculed minority I see is the boobs who think that this country can afford another bloated, bureaucratic entitlement program. The country is broke, who is going to pay for this handout?
Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security already consume nearly 43% of our budget. With the aging population, many approaching retirement, that number will rise to almost 50% in just a few years.
The simple fact is that the US budget needs to be slashed 10% across the board. That means everything, bombs, planes, transportation, and granny’s medical coverage. Then the federal bureaucracy needs to be slashed by 25% and term limits imposed on Congress. Perhaps then sanity will return to our spending. That or we turn into a 2nd world economy.
Heck, we already elected president based on 3rd world, cult of personality group think, so anything is possible. Change you can believe in!
what a chess player!
Obama knows the Dems have everything to lose if they bolt Health Care Reform. So rather than fudge an outcome, he does the opposite, he brings everything out in the glaring open for one more humongously dramatic finish. The Democrats pass Health Care reform and look like heros; the Republicans reveal themselves as the treacherous obstructionists they truly are. Come November, the Dems hold on to a sizable majority in both houses.
Check and Mate! .
My prediction?
Nancy and the House leadership gets a majority of Congress to vote the Senate version verbatim. In turn, Harry and the Senate leadership gets a simple majority of the Senate to vote for a budget-only House amendment approved in reconciliation.
Teddy Roosevelt’s 98 year old campaign platform finally becomes a reality.
Duane, it’s like you haven’t been paying attention for the past, oh, 14 months.
re: Obama, chess master. I started out hoping that this was the case. His entire approach to HCR seems to indicate that he’s in a 3-D chess match with only limited experience in ***-tat-toe.
Someone earlier on referenced Obama’s communication deficiencies. His administration’s approach to HCR is incomprehensible. He seems to have jettisoned the idea of mobilizing the people’s support and been sucked into some strange inside-the-beltway quicksand.
sgwhiteinfla is right, now we have a proper chief on gsa gov, now is the time to shift to a higher gear. It’s time for the republican to get nailed.
While health is wealth most of our people no good health and it is the reality that they have no wealth to keep health well. To keep good health we also need wealth. Health is wealth? Not always that!