Obama Hunkers Down as Health Care Falters

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

(AP)

Cool and confident, President Barack Obama basked in applause as he promised jittery Democratic lawmakers a coast-to-coast health care victory tour to sell the bill's benefits upon its passage.

It seemed like a foregone conclusion at that point, just over a week ago. Now a rebuke from voters in Massachusetts has brought Obama's health care overhaul to a defining moment. Having reached closer than any president to making health-care-for-all part of the social safety net, Obama may yet see his goal slip away.

The loss of their 60th Senate seat on Tuesday night in Massachusetts struck fear into Democrats. The president, who two weeks ago was driving deals to settle disagreements among House and Senate Democrats, sent mixed signals this past week that betrayed a lack of certainty about his intentions.

Old divisions resurfaced, leaving Democrats confused and frustrated.

Obama on Friday sought to recover his equilibrium. "I didn't take this on to score political points," a defiant Obama told workers in recession-weary Ohio. "And I'm not going to walk away just because it's hard. We're going to keep on working to get this done — with Democrats, I hope with Republicans — anybody who's willing to step up."

Step up. That's what some Democratic lawmakers are saying Obama needs to do.

"I think he has got to get even more deeply involved," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. "He's a key factor and we have to see exactly to what degree he wants to play that role."

"He has the ability to bring us all together," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., one of the negotiators in recent White House talks. "He did that ... to try to resolve the differences between the House and Senate. Again, it's going to take that kind of leadership."

Associated Press reporters interviewed lawmakers and other important players to reconstruct a pivotal moment for Obama's signature issue — and his presidency.