Obama: Seat Scott Brown and Health Care Next Steps
EmailHere is a section from my exclusive interview today with President Obama:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: So how do you do it now? This strategy that a lot of people have talked about getting the House to pass the Senate bill. Speaker Pelosi yesterday seemed to say that this was kind of a non-starter.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, here's , here's one thing I know and I just want to make sure that this is off the table. The Senate certainly shouldn't try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated. People in Massachusetts spoke. He's got to be part of that process. So…
STEPHANOPOULOS: Number one…
OBAMA: That, that's point number one. I think point number two is that it is very important to look at the substance of this package and for the American people to understand that a lot of the fear mongering around this bill isn't true. I would advise that we try to move quickly to coalesce around those elements of the package that people agree on. We know that we need insurance reform, that the health insurance companies are taking advantage of people. We know that we have to have some form of cost containment because if we don't, then our budgets are going to blow up and we know that small businesses are going to need help so that they can provide health insurance to their families. Those are the core, some of the core elements of, to this bill.
…
STEPHANOPOULOS: We're just about out of time, I just want to wrap up a couple things.
You're not advocating that the House pickup the Senate bill.
OBAMA: I think it is very important for the House to make its determinations. I think, right now, they're feeling obviously unsettled and there were a bunch of provisions in the Senate bill that they didn't
like, and so I can't force them to do that. Now I will tell you, and I've said this before, that the House and the Senate bill overlap about 90 percent.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Right.
OBAMA: And so, it does seem to me that there should be a way of, after all this work and all this pain, there should be a way of taking what's best in both bills and going ahead and getting that done.
More of my exclusive interview tonight on World News with Diane Sawyer, a special edition of Nightline and of course, tomorrow on Good Morning America.
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The voters have all moved on, and we do not blame Bush or the last eight years for this pork ridden, bribery to pass it 2000 page monstrosity. Its at the core of our anger Kill the bill and lets get some honest health care legislation.
Posted by: earl | January 20, 2010, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
odumba is a total waste.
Posted by: nickoury | January 20, 2010, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Sounds like Obama’s weak-kneed reaction to this loss is 100% wrong. The bill is now going to get completely gutted and we’re going to end up with a token health care bill. Who cares what the voters of Massachusetts think? They already have universal health care. There’s no reason not to just force the House to pass the bill. He sounds so freaking weak and doesn’t understand that this is why he’s losing the country.
Posted by: Rich S | January 20, 2010, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
All the kings horses and all the kings men couldnt put Humpty together again
Posted by: onevotefromwi | January 20, 2010, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm
The stock market rallied yesterday because wall street knows america can not afford Obamacare.
Posted by: onevotefromwi | January 20, 2010, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Bush and House Republican drove our economy into a ditch and tried to run away from the accident. Obama has been focused in repairing the damage, the problem is that republicans won’t allow him to do so because they are simply heartless – just look at Rush Limbaugh (hard-core Republican)how shameful.
Bush-Cheney policies that brought our econom to the brink of collaspe. If you don’t think so, what planet have you been living in for past 9 years?
Posted by: irma carrero | January 20, 2010, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm
This chameleon of a president never accepts the fact he is completely in over his head. He tries to sound now like one of us, concerned about what’s in the bill. In actuallity they will still ram this disaster of a bill through.
Posted by: dave | January 20, 2010, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
BUSH-BUSH-CHENEY,policles brougth our econom to the brink of collaspe.And the Obama people are trying to fix this mass he walked into.And those dam Republican,s wont let him.You it took 16 years to get in this mess and it will take 16 or more to get out of it.Our coutry is in trouble and you RICH people cant see and that is sad
Posted by: joy | January 20, 2010, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
irma carrero — Rush Limbaugh, isn’t he a radio host? Since when did he take a seat in the house? You lefties are funny.
Posted by: lfrichar | January 20, 2010, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
joy —- Blah blah blah, Bush, blah blah Republicans. The Dems have a SUPERMAJORITY and could have (and still can) pass this health care bill. The GOP wasn’t even in the room. So before you start Obama’s famous words “blame Bush”, look at the truth. The Dems couldn’t pass a drink through ongress if Obama was paying for it. They are lost and out of touch. Open your eyes.
Posted by: lfrichar | January 20, 2010, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm
Just wait until Nov Reps. This win is going to come back to hunt the Rep party. Watch? Now both parties we take the blame and the GOP will gain less seats in both houses. This is not good for the GOP party.
Posted by: josenopy | January 20, 2010, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm
Obama-care isn’t the issue:
His interview only with ABC again says a lot. But the few excerpts of the show available that, he again, is blaming the past administration. His perception (redirection) that the people are angry about the Health care bill is wrong. We are but we are MAD and SICK of the corruption and lying by our politicans and our President.
Posted by: Kent | January 20, 2010, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
A leader does not blame. A leader takes what they have and moves on with it. A weak incompitant leader will blame others. A leader tells his congress and senate what he is going to do. He does not let his staff or speaker tell him what to do. Thats what we have a weak leader and the world sees it. The yes we canners did it. They yes we can almost destroyed this nation. Just as in business you do not blame. You take what you got and make it better and move on. Learn Obama Learn but its to late. Your power is history. 3 more years and your out
Posted by: Jim Rod | January 20, 2010, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Lets coalesce around the idea of letting anyone and any small business (or any large business for that matter) buy into medicare. And we can subsidize those who are under say 400% of poverty for their premium. There, we have covered everyone who doesn’t have insurance, we have stopped letting insurance companies take advantage of people (because they can leave the bad ones and get good health coverage) and our budget will be under control because the overhead on medicare is only 2-3%. Voila. Fixed. Ohh I forgot- this won’t get you the campaign contributions from big pharma and big insurance that you need.
Posted by: bornagaindem | January 20, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
I have always been a registered Democrat.
I think that a lot of people on both sides of the fence believe that now is not the best time to push through a very costly health care bill. Why, in the middle of a recession, high unemployment and economic uncertainty, is it so important to pass something that will be so costly, and that has not been given enough ‘air time’ to be thoroughly examined by both sides?
If it is a solid plan, it will be a solid plan in a year or two when our nation is (hopefully) back on it’s feet. People will be much more willing to consider health care reform, and the higher costs associated with it when overall confidence in our economy is stronger.
I voted for Obama, but I strongly believe he and Democrats are making a huge mistake by trying to push through this bill at any cost, especially right now, at this moment in our fragile state of economic health.
I believe that because health care reform was the flagstone of Obama’s campaign, he is hell bent to get it passed at ANY COST so that he can say he fulfilled his major campaign promise.
I believe he would get much more respect from both sides however if he came to the American people and said something like this:
“I made a promise to reform health care, but given the fragile economic state of our nation, I feel the responsible thing to do right now is to spend our efforts on creating jobs and helping our nation get back on it’s feet. Once our house is in order, we will revisit health care reform.”
By pushing forward with seemingly little concern for the implications, which I believe could be catastrophic, shows very little self control both from the president and the Democratic party.
It is hard to be excited about being a Democrat right now, and I see a major shift in party affiliation coming.
Posted by: Craig | January 20, 2010, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
All of you idiots claiming that nobody should be blamed for causing this economic hellhole that Obama is trying to clean up: Would you just go ahead and not blame someone if they kneecapped you and rendered you wheelchair bound? Or just get ticked off at your broken knees.
You right wingers are idiots. Personal responsibility? Only for other people. Hypocritical, America-wrecking tools.
Posted by: DJS | January 20, 2010, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
He has to say he was “out of touch” other wise Fox News will sit there and claim he’s arrogant and out of touch. Oh wait they are doing that anyway. Anyway his “admission” gets the real news people off his back for stupid question. And he can get back to doing healthcare. The man is COOL.
Go OBAMA. I remember why I cared in the first place. Sorry it took Brown to remind me.
Posted by: Ex-Reagan Dem | January 20, 2010, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
People want PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL CHANGE.
Obama IS FOLLOWING THE SAME NEO-CON POLICIES THAT BUSH DID!
OBAMA has been BUSH LITE.
The senate health care bill was the last straw for progressive Dems – it gives trillions to big insurance instead of giving us a public system, or expanding Medicare to compete with the corrupt health insurance con artists.
Before that, we saw an expansion of the war in Iraqistan, more Bush.
Before that, a bailout for billionaire banksters.
Before that, failure to prosecute for war crimes.
etc.
Obama has lost his base. I wonder if he plans to regain us or break up the party forever?
Posted by: georgebailey | January 20, 2010, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
DJS – we love you too. But DJS, do you see the light yet? Naw, let’s give him a few more years. Patience my friends.
Posted by: Opie | January 20, 2010, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Hey georgebailey — “Bush Lite?” Are you kidding? This is Bush on STEROIDS. It’s moronic.
Have you not been paying attention? So many are still hung up on election results, rather than moving on – YEAH, personal accountability. And that applies to ME and to YOU.
Posted by: Opie | January 20, 2010, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Lots of us say throw ‘em all out. Too much government. Too much spending. Fiscal responsibility. And let the free markets work.
Come on guys. Let’s get busy.
Posted by: Opie | January 20, 2010, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
It was Bill Clinton who deregulated the home lending policies when he was the president that created the housing market crash. He wanted lower income families to be able to buy houses. Thus, too many people who didn’t qualify were allowed and incouraged to buy homes using no down payments, no income, etc. And you know the rest of this story.
Posted by: tjg | January 20, 2010, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
this is the best quote: Blaming Bush for the Mass. election!!!
“Here’s my assessment of not just the vote in Massachusetts, but the mood around the country: the same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office,” the president said in an exclusive interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. “People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because of what’s happened in the last year or two years, but what’s happened over the last eight years.”
Posted by: redbert | January 20, 2010, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
too funny!!!!
“People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because of what’s happened in the last year or two years, but what’s happened over the last eight years” says Obama
Posted by: redbert | January 20, 2010, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
It seems for the moment the libs are beating a hasty retreat.
Posted by: Rasputin3.14 | January 20, 2010, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
Well this indicates that he doesn’t get it. We didn’t vote in a republican because we were mad at Bush. “So easy a moonbat can understand it”
Posted by: jonny | January 20, 2010, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
It is my opinion that Obama ceded his presidency to Nancy Pelosi way back when he permmitted her to run the TARP, etc. stuff, and that making sure Scott Brown can be the 41st vote against the bill will take it off the table at least for now and, thus, put Pelosi who is dead set on passing it now, back in her place. Don’t think Obama is doing this because he thinks it is the right thing to do for the American people.
Posted by: walter | January 20, 2010, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Obama always says one thing and he lets his Thugs do the opposite of what he says.
He did this during the campaign. It was the old cop strategy :good cop; bad cop. Where he is always the ‘good’ while his thugs are the ‘bad.’
Can’t anyone see through the camouflage?
He’s trying to “sound” like he cares about the citizens, but clearly meeting behind closed doors with only the Democrats to exempt Labor unions from paying the ‘cadillac’ healthcare tax. It is back room dealing and has no place in American government “for the people; by the people..”
Posted by: Agatha | January 20, 2010, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Beat the dead dog of Bush till the end!
Posted by: mp | January 20, 2010, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Can someone against health reform please make one actual argument? All I hear are unfounded assertions about how bad it is that don’t address any specifics, give no reasons, and completely contradict the consensus among academic economists and the CBO.
If anyone is to blame for the slow speed of change, it is the US Senate, the biggest fraud of a “democratic institution” in the country. Without the 60 vote requirement and self-serving pols at the margins of that holding things up, we’d have a lot more done now. And of course Obama would get the credit since people think the president is responsible for everything that happens (which he is not–go read your civics book).
Posted by: Monroe | January 20, 2010, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
Here ya go Monroe: Federal government should NOT be contemplating any actions in any way shape or form that address healthcare. This was not intended to be a socialist state. Spend our hard-earned tax money on protecting our republic and its citizens.
next…
Posted by: opie | January 20, 2010, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm
And so what does it cost the taxpayers every single day that Congress is in session? Surely it would have been much less expensive to the citizenry in general and secondly, less intrusive as well, had our esteemed representatives to Washington DC been on recess all last fall.
One of the characteristics of the legislation includes an IRS peeping Tom. We don’t need more IRS, we need less!
Posted by: opie | January 20, 2010, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm
So, we have to wait for yet ANOTHER Repub to be there to further the cause of hurting the working people? Figures.
I can’t believe anyone thinks Obama is a liberal, or socialist. He’s center right.
Posted by: splashy | January 20, 2010, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
Obama still doesn’t get it – he thinks he should speak to the American people when in fact he should listen to the American People. They want to be heard, not spoken to.
Posted by: jeanne | January 20, 2010, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm
Obama simply spent too much time pushing a health care bill that nobody wants.
But, as it turns out, that’s good. Otherwise, he
might have wasted more time pushing cap-and-trade legislation that is even worse than health care.
This guy is hopelessly stubborn and, worse, hopelessly inept.
Posted by: Astrile | January 20, 2010, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm
How anyone could vote for another republican that will continue to block everything this country needs in order to move forward is beyond me. The GOP has been in power for most of the past 50 years and look at the damage to our country, financial sector, schools, health/death system & foreign affairs, not to even mention our crumbling roads and infrastructure! We need people from all parties, that are willing to work together to REBUILD America. How can anyone believe that the party that brought America to its knees are suddenly ready to lift it up?
The Dems have not made the right moves towards progress but they begin their mandate by offering a hand to the GOP and got slapped down for it. Seems as though the Dems were given a gift and can’t wait to squander it by pandering to their selfish selves & special interests. Its been like watching kids who are hyped up on Christmas candy play a game without specific instructions or directions.
Independents are gaining more political power and searching for REAL change in our politics and policies in order to rebuild and make progress in America. They don’t care if you’re red or blue – they hate the bickering, corruption & stagnation! Citizens should recognize the need to stop the name calling and negative barbs that tear down everything and everyone on all political sides because it is totally UN-Productive.
The world is watching as we EAT our own! China, India & other countries are well on their way to becoming the “number one” nation on earth while we continue to implode from our small-minded, self-destructive politics…
Posted by: Micki | January 21, 2010, 5:35 am 5:35 am
Obama adviser David Axelrod said administration officials will take into account the message voters delivered Tuesday in electing Republican Scott Brown – and handing the GOP power to block the Democratic agenda. But he declined to go farther.
Posted by: buy dsi r4 | January 21, 2010, 6:27 am 6:27 am
Go on and cave some more, Obama! Seat Brown and let him and the rest of his neocon cronies gut what’s left of your agenda! Just what this country needs- TWO republican parties!
Posted by: bay | January 21, 2010, 8:38 am 8:38 am
Go ahead and blame Clinton for the banks and loan officer being greety and only caring about their pockets and not what was best for the individual person seeking the home loan and what was good for them. You have a lot of unscrupulous banks and loan officers out there….and you know what they are still there doing their thing…..like Countrywide and Bank of America (that is really now Countrywide home loans)
Posted by: Annette Dwyer | January 22, 2010, 10:43 am 10:43 am
President Obama is not trying to fix anything he is a a.d.d president . He should be fixing jobs not heath care . Do one thing at a time . He made all these promises to get into offfice its time to keep them , and he is not . ex..The Goverment will be transparent, and than to get the heath care deal done President Obama goes behind closed doors to get a fast deal done . He should try to keep in mind this is the peoples Gov. not his.
Posted by: jeff | January 24, 2010, 9:20 am 9:20 am
Even Americans refuse to deal with ALL of the UGLY TRUTHS that has brought us to this defining moment in our country’s history:
BUSH is singlehandedly RESPONSIBLE for DESTROYING our country.
The Dems are a SUPERMAJORITY who stalled on healthcare because all CONGRESSIONAL leaders on both sides of the aisle are in the pocketbooks of lobbyists and BIG BUSINESS.
We the AMERICAN people will suffer and all we seem to be able to produce are Loopsided lies in a failed attempt to justify why the people we send to WASHINGTON DC have little interest in working for the best interests of MAIN STREET.
OBAMA is a true leader who will continue to fight for AMERICA regardless
of all of the ABOVE.
Posted by: clarity | February 5, 2010, 1:11 am 1:11 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, THE MOST ATTRACTIVE , INTELLIGENT MEN ON TV!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: MARGARITA | February 9, 2010, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm
this week has not been the same without him. but then again what a treat to seem him every morning on GMA.WOULD LIKE TO WISH HIM A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
HIS INTERVIEWS ARE SMART TO THE POINT, AND TO THE POINT.
Posted by: MARGARITA | February 9, 2010, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Independents and Republicans are going to PUNISH the Left for its marxist excesses in November. 2012 will be a bloodbath as the Congress will be dragged to the Right by we, the people.
We have had a taste of what the Left is ccapable of and we don’t like it one bit.
You want long lines and spotty health care, Try using the VA like some of us vetraans – you would aplogize for ever even mentioning Obamacare policy.
Posted by: Billy Ray in Cowtown | February 16, 2010, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
“georgebailey” – No, the people do NOT want progressive (read marxism) change. You lefties are as we say in Texas, Fixin’ to git rode outa town on a rail.
Your ilk are getting the bum’s rush this year and in 2012. AMF!
Posted by: Billy Ray in Cowtown | February 16, 2010, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
All you people did was complain about health reform. And now you see how health care is out of control your wining about it again. Shut up and enjoy the high cost of health care. As it is only the begining.
Posted by: Richard | February 17, 2010, 7:58 am 7:58 am
Dear MR. President, Dear George:
You are in real politics in the USA and in the world. Our nation is democratic and pragmatic. World devided by progressive, agressive and neutral parts. I like to make a new policy, but I like to be realistic, pragmatic and peceful. Please make steps forward to make better life in USA and in progressive countries. Good Luck! Vlad
Posted by: vladimir | February 17, 2010, 9:02 am 9:02 am
The health care bill is dead. It is a bad bill, always has been, and it will not pass.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 17, 2010, 9:23 am 9:23 am
I’m writing in response to your report about health insurance rising. My daughter a full time college student just received a letter last week about increase in her health insurance which I pay because she’s unemployed. Now she never been sick just had an accident with broken glass and went to emergency room which I still had to pay $150.00 her fee each month is $69.00 a month. She is in great health never been to doctor receive regular flu shots which I also pay for, she 23 years old so the report about younger people are choosing not/drop health insurance is only because they can’t afford it. I’m just barely able to pay for her insurance myself. I personally believe that we need health reform so people can pay their preminums without having give something else up. What about getting the American, but is that only by cheating, stealing and making off the backs of others who can’t do without the services they need?
Posted by: Linda | February 17, 2010, 10:20 am 10:20 am
Question: Did Americans react as negatively over spending billions of dollar a month in Iraq and over the loss of life in both Iraq and Afghanistan as they do over the idea of health care reform?
Posted by: Tedy | March 13, 2010, 9:53 pm 9:53 pm