President Obama On Face The Nation: I Haven't 'Promised Too Much' On Health Care

[cal04]

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/obama-on-face-the-nation-i-havent-promised-too-much-on-health-care.php?ref=fpa

On Face the Nation this morning, President Barack Obama told Bob Schieffer that "I don't think I've promised too much at all" on health care reform.

"Everybody acknowledges this is a problem," the President said, adding that "standing still is not an option."

As for the role of race in criticism of the President's reform proposals, Obama said there are bigger reasons for the opposition he faces. "What's driving passions right now is that health care has become a proxy for a broader set of issues about how much government should be involved in our economy," he said.

It doesn't help, the President said, that media attention often goes to the loudest, meanest voices.



Obama On This Week: Proposed Health Reform 'Isn't A Radical Plan'
http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/09/obama-on-this-week-proposed-health-reform-isnt-a-radical-plan.php


Obama Denies Insurance Mandate Taxes Middle Class, Diminishes Public Option
http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8323

[Deja Q]

1. That is the media's business, to hype up what brings in the most ratings and therefore the most $$$

It's capitalism. Even Michael Moore knows that (what with the hype on his new editorial movie that's designed to get a reaction out of viewers; real documentaries are a thing of the past because they won't draw in as many people by default).

If somebody leaked out his movie, he'd have a hissyfit too. He's on record for one of his previous movies. It's hard to be anti-capitalist when you're also saying "You leaked that before it got to the theatres, and that's affecting my bottom line."

Here's his direct quote, which makes my inference more than valid; and not to mention his statement is right in the first place:


“Every filmmaker intends for his film to be seen on the big screen, (as) this wasn’t a guy taking a video camera into a theater. This was an inside job, a copy made from a high-quality master and could potentially impact the opening weekend boxoffice. Who do you think benefits from that?”

Source: Google will reveal a few thousand results... and, again, in terms of "the system", he's right. People make things to sell and make money from them; the proceeds of which are put back into the company for future endeavors. THAT is capitalism. Or, perhaps, used to be...

[Indigent]

2. Dowd's column about racism was very cheered and welcome by us

We didn't see it as simply an attempt by the media to earn money. We liberals also love a racism chat even if we're not earning money out of it.