Today’s Qs for O’s WH – 10/13/2009
EmailJAKE: Which is more important to the president, that the bill — the final vote of the (health care reform) bill be bipartisan or that it include a public option?
GIBBS: Well, let me go back to what I just said to Ed (Henry of CNN). The president is focused on ensuring that whatever passes, whatever reform comes to his desk have choice and competition in it…
JAKE: It's increasingly clear that there's no way they're going to be able to get a Republican vote if there's a public option. So which is more important?
GIBBS: Choice and competition.
JAKE: That's not the choice that I gave you.
GIBBS: I know it's not the choice you gave me, but I'm not playing the box game.
JAKE: It’s not a box game.
GIBBS: But it is. But it…
(CROSSTALK)
JAKE: Robert, it's very clear from…
GIBBS: No…
(CROSSTALK)
JAKE: … following what's going on on Capitol Hill that you're not going to get Republican…
(CROSSTALK)
GIBBS: … what's going on on Capitol Hill as well as both what Americans want. They want an insurance market, if they enter the private insurance market, where they have choices and where those choices generate competition that drive down costs and increase the quality of care. That's the test for the president. And the president obviously hopes that…
JAKE: And that can be achieved without a public option?
GIBBS: We will evaluate as these two bills on the Senate side get merged and these other bills get merged to see if they meet the president's standard for doing so….
JAKE: And on Thursday, the states are expected to give some reports on the stimulus funds and how many jobs they've created. I know that you don't have the file numbers and all that, but — but are you guys — as the numbers are starting to be released, what's the feeling in the White House on the stimulus package, how it has affected job creation?
GIBBS: Well, look, I — I think if you look at the reports today, you see that literally tens of thousands of jobs in the classroom have been saved, alone, by the recovery plan. I think you'll see projects that will — will talk about both saving jobs as well as creating them. As we've talked about here the last several weeks, and really dating back to the very beginning of this, the recovery plan was intended to cushion the deep downturn in our economy. We think that the plan has done that. I think we certainly are hopeful that in the growth numbers that will be coming out later this month, you'll see positive economic growth. Again, as the president has said many times, there's still a long way to go and we need to make sure that those that are looking for work can find it.
-jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Is Gibbs being a weasel because he’s hiding something or because he’s generally kept in the dark about things?
Posted by: Stacy Wagner | October 13, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
“GIBBS: Choice and competition.
JAKE: That’s not the choice that I gave you.”
But it is a pretty obvious answer. Notice that he did NOT say ‘choice and competition that makes the Republicans happy.’
If a handful of Republicans lined up behind the Finance Committee bill, which carries a great number of Republican ideas and amendments, it would be passed verbatim. But they chose to not participate, so it is looking likely that the Democrats are not going to compromise on what they believe is the best way to go.
Posted by: jhw539 | October 13, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
The Republicans would line up behind a bill repealing the congressional prohibition against interstate competition in the sale of health insurance, and a tort reform bill.
The Dems are simply afraid.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 13, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
“Over the last three months, banks put 63 percent of their new cash into euros and yen — not the greenbacks — a nearly complete reversal of the dollar’s onetime dominance for reserves, according to Barclays Capital. The dollar’s share of new cash in the central banks was down to 37 percent — compared with two-thirds a decade ago.
“Currently, dollars account for about 62 percent of the currency reserve at central banks — the lowest on record, said the International Monetary Fund.”
We are looking ultimately at either hyper-inflation or a devaluation of the dollar. Way to go, Barry.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 13, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
The Republicans would line up behind a bill repealing the congressional prohibition against interstate competition in the sale of health insurance, and a tort reform bill.
The Dems are simply afraid.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | Oct 13, 2009 8:21:16 PM
Oh please. Sure they would. They just say that when it has no chance of passing. Give me a break. If the Republicans had any ideas worth pursuing they would have pursued them at some during their 12 year majority in Congress. Ask Paul Ryan whether or not he thinks Republicans blew their chance to be health reform advocates. Eyeroll.
Most of us are over giving a care about what the GOP has to say. If you have an actual good idea, send it to a Democrat or Olympia Snowe so that it won’t be tossed in the garbage in the spirit of “just say no.” Since you like polls, Fascist, consider this one : A Research 2000 poll found that when asked–
Which of the following scenarios do you prefer/ do you prefer?
Getting a health care bill with the choice of a strong public health insurance option to compete with private insurance plans that’s supported only by Democrats in Congress, OR Getting a health care bill with no public option that has the support of Democrats and a handful of Republicans?
The results were–
Public option: 52%
No public option: 39%
I think we’re going to get some version of a public option. Not that the insurance lobby is giving up, of course. TPM has a copy of their “secret talking points” posted; apparently AHIP distributed them to agents.
As an aside, here, Rockefeller says Obama wants the public option and MedPAC. Apparently he’s willing to say what Gibbs won’t(???)
Posted by: Alyson | October 13, 2009, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
we’re supposed to believe a daily kos poll? seriously?
Posted by: wow | October 14, 2009, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Jake,
Thank you for pushing on a good question.
Posted by: Patrick in Chicago | October 14, 2009, 12:29 am 12:29 am
we’re supposed to believe a daily kos poll? seriously?
Posted by: wow | Oct 14, 2009 12:21:32
Hey, if you’re one of the Fox defenders, why not? You clearly have an interesting way of looking at “fair and balanced.” LOL. Or, if you want real answers by a pollster you prefer, you could ask another pollster to pose the question the same or a similar way. Other polls have hinted that this would be the case but only this poll has asked it this way.
Posted by: Alyson | October 14, 2009, 12:37 am 12:37 am
alyson, actually i read real clear politics which averages a bunch of polls. it also has lots of articles from different sources so that i can come to my own conclusions. if you’re being spoon fed one side of an argument you don’t learn anything.
i also believe in personal responsibility. it’s something sorely lacking in our society today.
Posted by: wow | October 14, 2009, 1:36 am 1:36 am
Yet another Obama FAIL.
–The Obama administration has insisted that the removal of Manuel Zelaya from office violated Honduran and international law and amounts to a military coup. According to one report this morning, though, the United Nations has reached an entirely different conclusion. Hondudario, translated by Google, reports that the UN’s Department of Political Affairs concluded that the removal of Zelaya from office was legal and justified.–
Posted by: Barack Obama, Real Man of Foreign Policy Genius | October 14, 2009, 8:52 am 8:52 am
alyson, actually i read real clear politics which averages a bunch of polls. it also has lots of articles from different sources so that i can come to my own conclusions. if you’re being spoon fed one side of an argument you don’t learn anything.
***
Awesome. We agree on something! We may disagree on how we define “personal responsibility” and possibly even “responsibility” but bygones. I read RCP’s averages and in fact, have told others on here about that source. I also read Pollster’s averages and analyses and Nate Silver’s blog. I find it interesting when a poll asks a question in a new way. If I’m spoonfed anything, it’s a pretty diverse and widespread buffet(downside, and upside, of being a news junkie and incurably inquisitive).
Actually, despite the partisan or ideological disagreements on these comment boards, most of the commenters are pretty well-informed, even those who rely on sources from one side or another of the ideological divides. We all have more in common in that way than we might think or want to acknowledge. Once a day, I take a few minutes to remember that whether I disagree with someone on here or on other comment boards, or not, I do appreciate their serious engagement– rather than simply not paying attention at all or just not caring one way or another. Doesn’t mean I’ll be all kumbaya, but I do truly appreciate those who are informed, engaged, and passionate about news and politics.
Posted by: Alyson | October 14, 2009, 9:32 am 9:32 am
I increasingly have to marvel at the so-called “Press Secretary” is anything but as I watch the faces of those at those “briefings” listen to the responses they are getting from Gibbs. This man is over his head…and it is not nice to fool with Average Joe and Jane Citizen. I take 2 Tylenol (fast acting) as he drones on and on and on with the usual non-answer to the good question before quickly recognizing the next questioner. In his next career move, I think he would be great doing crossword puzzles for the NY Times…
Posted by: justj joey | October 14, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
Obama totally caved in on missile defense, and got NOTHING in return. Just like with his performance in Copenhagen, Obama looks impotent and incompetent.
—Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned major powers against intimidating Iran and said that talk of sanctions against the Islamic Republic was “premature”.
“There is no need to frighten the Iranians,” Putin told reporters in Beijing.
“We need to look for a compromise. If a compromise is not found, and the discussions end in a fiasco, then we will see,” he said, adding that talks of sanctions was “premature” at present.—
Posted by: Barack Obama, Real Man of Foreign Policy Genius | October 14, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Gibbs has always struck me as a dolt, but when I read that Anita Dunn trained the poor guy, I realized his natural handicaps for the job were amplified 100 fold. I almost feel sorry for him.
Posted by: SjB | October 14, 2009, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
I think many people are missing the point about Gibbs. He is brilliant at what he does ! He dissembles, uses humor to belittle both questions and questioners and deftly avoids giving any concrete answers. This serves the president well…..the people less so. Gibbs’ ‘aw shucks’ demeanor belies the cleverness of his ability to talk much, say little and avoid clear and definitive answers. What more could Obama want !
Posted by: bls46 | October 14, 2009, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm
Dear President Obama,
I have many concerns regarding your health reform. While I agree that costs are out of control, citizens are denied health coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and making citizens liable for having health coverage why are so many citizens receiving FREE medical, dental, and food vouchers ? I realize that hard times hit everyone at some time in their lives and having government programs to help Temporarily is a wonderful benefit to our citizens. My problem with healthcare reform is that there are far too many government package opportunists stealing from us everyday! I have been employed in the dental field for over 20 years. Within the last year our office has participated in the medicaid program in Delaware. I have witnessed parents dressed better than myself, with full-time jobs,receiving these benefits for their children. I am all for helping people get on their feet but I also witness patients not able to afford co-pays for their children because they do not have the extra money to pay for the balance of treatment. Medicaid recipients do not have co-pays and are able to receive benefits at more frequent intervals than the private insurance patients. As I stated before I am all for helping citizens temporarily but too often these citizens take advantage of a situation and there are no restrictions in place to end the abuse of the “system”. I have not heard you mention anything about the Medicaid programs. I have heard how you plan to change overspending with medicare though. And, to my knowledge the elderly have worked for their benefits. Why would you consider changing Medicare and not Medicaid? There are many citizens who deserve Medicaid benefits no doubt. But I would bet my life there are far more abusing the “system” and no one seems concerned about those costs. As a taxpayer I pay my part and Theirs! When a Medicaid family comes to the dentist free of charge and can afford to vacation in Disney for a week and I can’t afford the same luxury for my family, there is something wrong. It seems that the middle-class foots the bill for everything and it simply must change. If we are going to succeed as a nation, everyone must pull their weight. Please be aware that bitterness has infiltrated many citizens who struggle to keep their heads above water. If we continue to look the other way with abuse of government services to the undeserving population of citizens, resentment by the rest of the hard working, honest citizens may cause civil unrest. While I support your efforts to contain healthcare costs, I am waiting for your response to the abusers of the “system”.
Posted by: Maureen Garyantes | October 14, 2009, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
Hi bls46,
I don’t disagree that Gibbs was chosen by Obama to perform the role of the dolt. The problem, as I see it, is that it points towards dishonesty in a president who is more and more revealing himself to be fearful, weak, ill-educated, and generally unfit for the office of president.
Posted by: SjB | October 14, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm