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babylonsister Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 08:33 AM
Original message
Obama Makes His Pitch To Dems On Left And Right
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022712.php

OBAMA MAKES HIS PITCH TO DEMS ON LEFT AND RIGHT.... President Obama hosted two meetings at the White House yesterday -- one with liberal House Democrats who are concerned the pending health care reform proposal isn't liberal enough, one with center-right House Democrats who are concerned the pending health care reform proposal isn't center-right enough.

By most accounts, the meetings went pretty well. Participants from the progressive meeting, in particular, had quite a bit to say afterwards.

President Obama began his meeting with leading House progressives by bringing in a letter from an Ohio woman who wrote him to say that her skyrocketing premiums will soon cause her to lose her health insurance.

"It was a very serious, low-key discussion. If this was a piano, you're hearing very deep chords here," said one member who asked for anonymity.

Obama argued to the group of progressive members that his health care reform bill should be looked at as the foundation of reform, that can be built on in the future. He asked them to help gather votes for the final health care battle and promised that as soon as the bill was signed into law, he'd continue to push to make it stronger. But in a matter of weeks, he stressed, he could sign into law legislation that would lead to 31 million new people being insured, including the woman who wrote him.


Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who had threatened earlier in the week to join conservative Republicans in killing health care, sounded far less frustrated after yesterday's discussion. In fact, he described the president's pitch as "compelling." The Progressive Caucus's other co-chair, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), said she's a definite "yes" vote -- if the discussions over a reconciliation fix go well -- even without a public option in the final bill.

And speaking of the public option, the president told the progressive lawmakers that he simply does not believe the votes will materialize to pass the measure, but he reiterated his support for provision and assured those in attendance that he would continue to pursue a public option in the future. The key, Obama said, was to get this reform package into law, which would create a foundation that could be built upon in the coming years.


That's not an unreasonable plan: "A bill offering a public option and Medicare buy-in to age 55 would be a popular bill, and a good bill, and could be done after health-care reform had passed. The administration and others like to say that the Senate legislation is just a start, and they should begin acting on that belief. Pass the start, and then begin trying to make it better with smaller, discrete bills that are easier to message and pass."

As for the second discussion of the day, with less liberal House Dems, there was less post-meeting chatter, but said Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.), chairman of the New Democrat Coalition, signaled optimism. "When all is said and done, we will have the votes to pass healthcare reform," Crowley said.

—Steve Benen 8:00 AM
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NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:29 AM
Response to Original message
1. This is what one expects from a leader
:applause:
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azmouse Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:38 AM
Response to Reply #1
2. Yep, and we have a very good leader indeed!
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ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #1
4. No, a true LEADER would have placed "single payer" on the negotiation table
from the onset.

The last thing we need passed for HRC now is that shitty Senate Bill with no hope for any further legislation via reconciliation.

I hope and pray that our House Liberals do not take ANYTHING on good faith.
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NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:45 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. How do putting up options that have a ZERO chance of passing
mark a good leader? A true LEADER is about getting RESULTS not pandering to any ideology or wishful thinking.
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ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:47 AM
Response to Reply #5
7. Obama is a super-intelligent consensus builder, he's not a leader, he's a world class
POLITICIAN.

America, more than any time in our past, needs a TRUE LEADER.

That person is not our current President. :(
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NJmaverick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #7
11. You are confused as to what a leader is and does
Leaders don't waste time crashing and burning to pander to a small percentage of the population. Instead they are about solving problems and getting things done and that is EXACTLY what President Obama is doing. Is he a politician? Hell yes because you can't get things done in Washington with out being a politician. The real world is a tough place and unrealistic idealist pretty much can't function in it.
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bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 03:05 PM
Response to Reply #11
16. Getting things done?....
For Wall Street, the WAR Machine, and the Health Insurance Industry...certainly.
For LABOR and the American Working Class....not so much.

This President "Got Things Done" too:
"In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident. We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all—regardless of station, race, or creed.

Among these are:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America’s own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens."--FDR



"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans."---Paul Wellstone




"By their works you will know them."
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boppers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 08:23 PM
Response to Reply #16
21. Nice enumeration of rights we still don't have, to this day?
Edited on Sat Mar-06-10 08:24 PM by boppers
So, I guess that President *didn't* exactly get things done, either.

edit:typo
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ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 06:51 PM
Response to Reply #11
17. I understand the real world as a Lieutenant in US Army Intelligence.
President Obama is super-intelligent but he is, without a doubt, a POLITICIAN first and foremost. Sadly, President Obama is not a leader. A leader takes difficult stands and motivates those who are around them. President Obama, for all his high IQ points, doesn't know how to fight for what is morally sound. I'm saddened that the first president of Color is a consummate politician not a man that IMO, Martin Luther King would be proud of. We need a truly progressive President who WALKS THE WALK. That person is NOT President Obama.
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Captain Hilts Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:53 AM
Response to Reply #5
9. To tilt the negotiating table to the left. Especially since AHIP was at the table. nt
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TankLV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 09:04 PM
Response to Reply #5
24. Because YOU DON'T START FROM YOUR "FALLBACK" OR COMPROMISE POSITION!!!!
GOOD GOD - EVEN CHILDREN KNOW THAT!!!

but it's so nice to ignorance on display for everyone to see as exemplified by your post...
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WonderGrunion Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 03:12 PM
Response to Reply #4
19. No, they would not have done that
That's like saying you're going to invade the planet Mars. It's easy to say but impossible to accomplish. Until liberals (not Democrats, liberals) get a 60 vote majority in the Senate, single-payer is a pipe dream and would make any leader demanding it look as delusional as Bush did looking for Iraqi WMDs.
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boppers Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 08:27 PM
Response to Reply #4
22. He campaigned against single payer for too long.
"You get to keep the plan you have" is explicitly repudiating single-payer.
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CBR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:41 AM
Response to Original message
3. I thought he didn't speak to the more conservadems -- that is
what I was told on DU....

It looks like we are going to get this thing done!!!
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ShortnFiery Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:46 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. And our party will suffer greatly for this charade.
WHEN reconciliation is not an option, our party will PAY THE PRICE.

BRAVO, there's one born every minute. :eyes:

REMEMBER ... Iraqi War Resolution? TARP?

Punked AGAIN!

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CBR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 09:49 AM
Response to Reply #6
8. OK...
Edited on Fri Mar-05-10 09:51 AM by CBR
:shrug:

On Edit: In keeping with the theme --
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Beetwasher Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 11:09 AM
Response to Reply #6
15. Sounds Familiar
Oh that's right. Isn't Mitch McConnel ALSO warning Dems that they are going to pay a price for passing HCR?

Well, at least you're on the same page as someone. :rofl:
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Clio the Leo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 10:02 AM
Response to Original message
10. I think the President got us a bill yesterday...
.... when you take all of the reporting together, there seems to have been a noticeable shift in the mood/tone of the interested parties after the 24 hours of meetings the President had starting Wed. night.
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bvar22 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 10:53 AM
Response to Original message
12. Not buying it.
Its the old "We'll Fix it Later Scam."

Pass this massive Welfare for Corporations NOW, and we'll do something for The People later....right after we fix NAFTA and the Patriot Act.

Continually preaching "We don't have the votes" IS a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When Obama didn't have "The Votes" for his Supplemental War Appropriations,
he went and GOT the Votes...Chicago Style.

The sad part is that Obama KNOWS we won't have "The Votes" to change anything after 2010 and 2012.
This was a Once in a Generation opportunity....GONE..WASTED.
His stalling tactics are a way to GUARANTEE to the Health Insurance Industry that America WILL NOT see any real reform for at least another generation.
Mission Accomplished.
(I wonder if Bush is still using that old banner.
It would look great at the signing ceremony.)

There is nothing in this bill "to build on".
This bill codifies the RIGHT for Corporations to make a profit off of sick people.
In Fact, it MANDATES a PROFIT for the Health Insurance Industry.
Every American WILL be REQUIRED to contribute to these Corporate Profits.
THIS is Obama's "Uniquely American Solution"...Mandated Profits for the Ownership Class.


The "new and improved" even more REPUBLICAN Senate Bill with Obama's face on the label would have to be "undone" BEFORE we can REFORM Health Care in America.

For those saying "Oh. But THIS time its OK because Obama is going to regulate the Health Insurance Corporations..."
How are all those regulations on Wall Street working out for you?
Or those regulations on the Credit Card Companies?....the CC Companies have already figured out (and written IN) ways around them.

Regulations can be quickly "de-regulated", especially after the losses in 2010/2012.
The "Centrist" "Democrats" do NOT have a reputation as "regulators", they ARE Slash and Burn "De-Regulators"...just like Reagan.
The problem is, THIS bill does NOT lay a FOUNDATION for REFORM.
The FOUNDATION of this Bill IS Guaranteed Profits for the Health Insurance Industry.
It permanently Enshrines and Codifies the For Profit Health Insurance Industry as the ONLY Gateway to Health Care in the US.
THAT can't be adjusted or Improved Upon later.
It WILL have to be Undone before the USA can see any "reform".


LESS than 35% of ALL Americans support Mandates without a Public Option.
Good luck selling this piece of shit to the American People in 2010/2012.


"By their works you will know them."


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone



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TankLV Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 09:07 PM
Response to Reply #12
25. Me neither - we've all heard that before...from the Patriot Act to all the other crap
from bush* and now obama...

and we're still waiting...

BTW - where's that INVESTIGATION that they promised us on the WMD and Iraq LIES? - we still don't have that one either...
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Romulox Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 10:59 AM
Response to Original message
13. Obama *panders* to the right, *pitches* to the left. It's not compelling. nt
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Peacetrain Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 11:04 AM
Response to Original message
14. He is doing what he has to do to get this passed.. And try and tie it up enough
so that the next time the republicans get in power.. (and they will).. they do not overturn it.
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Cha Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-05-10 07:22 PM
Response to Original message
18. Thank you, Steve Benen and babylonsister..
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depakid Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 08:16 PM
Response to Original message
20. It's abundantly clear to me at this point that Obama doesn't want a public option. Period.
Edited on Sat Mar-06-10 08:17 PM by depakid
His words say one thing- but the facts and actions say quite another.

Makes too many "Democrats" uncomfortable (even though enough would probably go along) but perhaps more importantly- it's too offensive for Republicans.

Bottom line: He's been hemorrhaging credibility, which once lost is difficult to get back.

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David Zephyr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Mar-06-10 08:36 PM
Response to Original message
23. "Barack Obama: Fair & Balanced"
Nuff said.
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