BREAKING: Obama to Outline Health Care Demands in Major Speech Next Week

[scheming daemons]

Aides to President Barack Obama are putting the final touches on a new strategy to help Democrats recover from a brutal August recess by specifying what Obama wants to see in a compromise health care deal and directly confronting other trouble spots, West Wing officials tell POLITICO.


Obama is considering detailing his health-care demands in a major speech as soon as next week, when Congress returns from the August recess. And although House leaders have said their members will demand the inclusion of a public insurance option, Obama has no plans to insist on it himself, the officials said.


“We’re entering a new season,” senior adviser David Axelrod said in a telephone interview. “It’s time to synthesize and harmonize these strands and get this done. We’re confident that we can do that. But obviously it is a different phase. We’re going to approach it in a different way. The president is going to be very active.”
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http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26672.html

[eleny]

1. .

:kick:

[liberal N proud]

3. Second that

Kick some ass!

[Jennicut]

2. Good but I hope he puts the public option in there....the House won't even pass it without it

[grantcart]

7. he already has and he will again

His point is that the public option is necessary, not because it is a public option, but because it will bring in the competition necessary to control cost.

Since there are no other credible options to achieve the point that he has said must be in the bill we are left with the public option, he is not going to support a bill that doesn't have some mechanism to control costs.

[Jennicut]

9. True...there is no other way to control costs

Co-opts have been found not to be effective.
I am just so happy he will be making a big speech on this.

[deaniac21]

19. It may be called a public option but it won't be. It's doa.

[medeak]

45. there go donations

made yesterday.... feck

[medeak]

26. Schuster just tweeted public option all but dead

after previous tweet wh trying to seek compromise. Was feeling optimistic until now.

DavidShuster "Every indication public option is dead at WH. So, reform means taxpayer funds transferred to for profit companies to cover more people. ..."

[byebyegop]

41. urrrum......

Armchair quarterback much?!

/

[medeak]

44. hope he's wrong

and wth is with your remark newbie... no welcome from me

[byebyegop]

52. Got no use for spineless lefties. Grow a pair, do your part, and quite your whining! n/t

[grantcart]

53. the AFL CIO just announced they won't support it without it

Schuster is talking to somebody but he isn't talking to Obama

[SpiralHawk]

4. "But Mercury will be Retrograde then. Smirk." - Ronald Reagan's Dead Republicon Astrologer*

"you can bet your bippy that we Republicon occutists are hip to dat. Smirk."

- Ronald Reagan's Dead Republicon Astrologer*



* Courageously channeled by the intrepid SpiralHawk from the vast netherworld of Republicon Darkside Occultism.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. OBAMBO!

[Oregone]

6. He demands that it should be like a model he prefers...

but would be acceptable if it was like a model he could live with, but realizes that it needs to also be approved by people that don't prefer his model, and also demands that they do something, and anything is better than nothing, so his prefers something to cover some people, or no people, or maybe just a couple people, or whoever demands it. Oh fuck it...you guys in DC just take it from there

[MannyGoldstein]

12. +1

Unless the DLC is expunged from the Executive Branch, you've pretty much nailed it.

[bvar22]

36. LOL !

:patriot:

[Mojambo]

8. So he's going to make demands, but not make the single most important aspect of success part of it?

The public option IS the hang up on this thing. If he's not going to speak to that issue I don't think the speech is going to have nearly the impact they hope.

I wish he'd stop standing on the fence with regard to the public option.

JMHO.

[global1]

13. It's Time To Call The White House Again And Give Him Our Support For.........

a 'strong public option'. The White House Comment line number is: 1-202-456-1111.

Call - you'll be glad you did and glad you contributed to getting a health reform package passed that we wanted - the reason we gave the Dems the White House, the House and the Senate.

[byebyegop]

10. "...Democrats recover from a brutal August recess...."

Oh really? I saw lot's of batshit crazy teabaggers which is really brutal on the already damaged GOP brand! I also saw the Left base getting energized and only now starting to gain a full head of steam. Of course the media focused on the crazy and not the 95% that was rational conversation and debate!

....but I would NEVER EVER expect the reich wing hacks at Politico to spin it that way!

[falcon97]

18. That caught my attention too.

It could justifiably be called 'the month the Republican train went off the cliff.'

[spanone]

11. time to kick some ass Mr President

[Skittles]

34. way past time

[sandyd921]

14. Read the article and it says

Obama will not push for public option. :banghead:

[Pirate Smile]

20. Obama is NOT going to make a veto threat re Public Option because that was how

Clinton's HCR died. He said he'd veto it unless it provided universal coverage. Congress couldn't pass something that met that so it all died for a decade and a half.

Obama isn't going to do that. He just isn't. He is going to get as much as he can.

It will probably have something that triggers a Public Option if costs aren't contained or something. I don't know but they are going to pass something and he'll sign it. He isn't going to let it go down in flames like 94. I know some people would prefer that but he doesn't and all the people without insurance because of preexisting conditions or staring at caps they are about to go past or small businesses that can't afford insurance or people needing many of the other reforms contained in the Bills will be helped a lot even if it isn't perfect.

OK - now people can beat me up for saying this. :)

[sandyd921]

21. Without PO we'll end up with something that is

(1) unsustainable due to lack of real competition with private insurance and
(2) a huge giveaway (bailout) to private insurance

Dress it up however you want, but that will be the end result.

[maglatinavi]

25. Without PO

I agree. I was a Hillary supportwe and wrote in her name for president. She would have never given in... if Obama is really going to go back on his promise he is dead and so is the Democratic party. I, a "rabid" yellow democrat will never vote if Obama gives in. I hope Pelosi doesn't give in ... other wise, good bye democrats ... this is a sad time, first the loss of Teddy and now the treason of Obama... This is so sad!!! If only Hillary had won... ;-(

[Pirate Smile]

30. Better to go down AGAIN in glorious defeat then pass what you can. You didn't vote for Obama this

time so I really doubt you'll vote for him in 2012 now matter what he does. PUMA lives.

[MellowDem]

31. Hillary wouldn't have done crap...

if anything she is more in the pocket of health insurance than Obama. Indeed, her previous shitty involvement in health care would doom it before it began and she would be going "third way" from the get go. And your threat of not voting for Obama is pretty stupid considering you didn't vote for him the first time.

Hey, I'm pissed that the Democrats are pissing away health care reform. But to blame it on the president is idiotic. If Obama had the votes, he'd be going for single payer. He's said as much in the past. But as President, he has to work with what he has in Congress. And what he has in Congress is a Democratic Party that is bought and paid for. Hillary couldn't do anything more either.

[subcomhd]

59. a "rabid" yellow democrat

who didn't vote for the nominee. I would hate to see what your luke warm support of something looks like.

[Sebastian Doyle]

22. If he does not veto a bill without a true public option

then he will have signed the death warrant of the Democratic party.

and that means politically, Agent Mike. The physical death will come later with pResident Moosealini and the Teabagger KKKongress that will be sworn in January 2013, if this fails.

And yes, FALSE "reform" IS a FAIL.

[JeffR]

57. And since it's Politico

it MUST be TRUE!!

:hangover:

[tkmorris]

15. Do remember, this is Politico

Not the most reliable or unbiased source there.

[TiredOldMan]

16. Action and Leadership Now

This needs to be done now. Giving them another week to tear things up makes no sense. Do it now!!

[aquart]

17. "Demands"? No more Mr. Nice President?

Obama successfully navigated the shark-infested waters of Chicago/Illinois politics. Time to stop being chum.

[ZombieHorde]

23. I am looking forward to this speech. K&R

[ChazII]

24. AI am also looking forward to the speech. n/t

[maglatinavi]

32. O Speech

I am not ... I tremble at the thought of his treason to "we the people"... that will not be the only reverse promise... what about don't ask, don't tell; the legacy of the undercover traitor Colin Powell ... Grrrr ... I feel like cutting my veins ...

[me b zola]

55. You "tremble". eh?

Treason? Oh please tell us more.

[maglatinavi]

35. O speech

I am not... I cannot think of his breaking his promise to "we the people"... I was supportive of Hillary and wrote her in for president... this is not the only reverse of his promises... what about don't ask don't tell ... the legacy of the undercover traitor Colin Powell... I feel like cuting my veins ...

[MellowDem]

27. He needs to fucking crack some heads...

especially in the Senate. Come out swinging. Make it a moral issue. Shame those who are opposed to it. I'm getting so fucking sick and tired and angry with the absolute shitstain of a "debate" the country has had so far. Never before have I felt so damn helpless to do anything about an issue so obvious.

[Brigid]

28. Do you think his background in Chicago politics will come out now?

*rubs hands*

[mvd]

29. Good news

I've been waiting for this.

[grassfed]

33. change we can believe in

[notesdev]

37. File under

"too little, too late"

Health care is dead. Deal with it. All that pressing the issue now will do is further destroy Democratic chances of holding onto Congress.

If Democrats want to see health care (financing) reform passed, they need to campaign on it for 2010. If the voters approve then there will be another chance in the next legislative session.

In the meantime, there is plenty else for which the Democrats DO have a mandate - getting out of Afghanistan/Iraq, unraveling the corrupt web of lobbyists and special-interest influence in D.C., restoring integrity to the financial system. Get that done, and health care financing reform will be doable. Fail, and there will be no health care reform.

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. THEY HAVE A MANDATE... 70% want reform

if they don't pass it, trust me, they won't hold to Congress, PERIOD

I am not going to vote for EITHER major party at this point.... and I am not alone

[notesdev]

42. ah, but what reform?

Everybody wants reform but if you drill down to what people want, there is no policy with anything even approaching 50% support. Even among Democrats alone, just try to settle the differences between public option and single payer advocates! And as far as the rest of the country goes, they are mostly interested in the cost of health care being reasonable; but since every proposal on the table further increases costs, none of them are going to get the support of the vast bulk of middle America whose votes make the difference when it comes to election time.

The only thing a majority can agree on is to remove the influence of large corporations from the lawmaking process. And of course, that is the last thing our "representatives" will ever allow to happen.

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. No reform, I stay home, PERIOD

or vote third party.

And I have told my congress critter as much.

NO PO no vote... I am done.

And I hear that, anecdotally mind you, quite a bit now.

People are sick and tired, PERIOD.

And as to polls, depends on how you phrase it... push poll it of course, not push poll it, there is majority support for PO.

They have the majorities, they have the mandate, and they are on the corporate tit

[notesdev]

46. The ONLY legislation you will see

will be done for the benefit of interested corporations (finance, insurance, pharma) only. This is 100% certain, guaranteed, because that is the way laws are made in this country today. No matter what they call it for political purposes, you can be assured that you will not see the change you want to see.

If you want real change, we must first work to reform the political system. Today's political process (which can only be truthfully described as organized bribery or racketeering) will not and cannot make the changes you seek.

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. Then off to third party I go

I am done with the dupoly, period.

I will concentrate on LOCAL politics... and realize that the United States of the Corporations, by the Corporations and for the Corporations is firmly in place. We have a name for that... FASCISM

if this is acceptable to Americans, who am I to stop them?

[notesdev]

48. If that's what we have to do

then that's what we have to do. I myself am also through with supporting what you very accurately describe as a fascist system.

[nadinbrzezinski]

51. And that is what we have to do

we need to stop playing the game... they count on us doing it every time.

When I called my congress critter and told them I am done

What you will vote for the Repubs? You could almost hear the sneer. They know better

No, third party, Green....

The staffer had this long silence. I call often, we are almost on a first name basis. she conceded they are getting many of those calls... but so far it is only calls. If they see third parties get more votes in 2010... they MIGHT get it.

[jannyk]

54. You are not alone. nt

[Fading Captain]

38. Why the fuck would people rec this?

Obama won't insist on a public option ... And DU cheers?

[Tx4obama]

49. The point of rec'ing a post is so that everyone will read it.

You know like: I recommend that this article should be read.

[Egnever]

40. Of course he will

Was there ever any doubt? It's his M.O. Let the idiots yell and scream then come in with reasonableness and pragmatism and make them look like the fools they are.

He has done it time and again why should this one be any different.

[Tx4obama]

50. I have full faith in President Obama to get in done in the end...

As the Republicans are playing Checkers, President Obama has a Chess Strategy re: Healthcare Reform
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=6442934&mesg_id=6442934

[optimal-tomato]

56. This thread is why Dems always fail.

The optimists (of which I am occasionally one) are excited about a watered-down address for a floundering political fight. Maybe it will save the sinking ship, even if we end up with a bill that causes noticable increases in premiums and taxes, thus defining it as a political snafu in 2010 or 2012.

The cynics (of which I am currently one) refuse to believe this watered-down legislation will do the job. It won't. But we also seem to forget that this will move us much closer to universal coverage, and that when premiums go up over the next 10 years, there may be enough outrage to push (a possibly Dem) Congress toward a public option.

The embittered (of which I feel closer to every day) just despise the whole thing. The special interests are too wealthy. The GOP are too good at propoganda. Americans are too disconnected or apathetic or brainwashed to know what's good for them. "We're all doomed." Then they will continue to press and hold Shift and 1.

Everything Dems did right for the last 20 years was pretty much an accident. It was a quirk of luck, or Republicans overreached with their crazy positions. But my party is so disfunctional, it's hilarious.

Obama's in the lead on this. If he's not going to push the PO, then there's no way it will come out of conference, no matter what the House does. Maybe he'll realize the GOP are a brick wall and push for a real PO, which means it may, just may, happen. Here's hoping everything works out. :toast:

[DFW]

58. "approach it in a different way?"

I hope that means: "OK, we tried to play nice with the Republicans, and they tried to use us a toilet
paper. We will now do with them what one normally does with toilet paper after it has served it purpose.
We have a country that needs our attention, and the Republicans in Congress have taken up more than their
share of it."

[havocmom]

60. Fine and dandy, but we need to shuffle the leadership in the Senate too

Old chairmen: lead, follow or get the fuck out of the way.

Same to Reid.

[optimal-tomato]

61. Obama: Repeat after me ===>

"America, I have grave news. You've been lied to. Anyone who's told you that health care reform is a government takeover is mistaken. If they were in the media, or a public servant, they were lying to you and know better. You need to know who will lie to you. Now you know. My plan will allow you to, if you choose, buy into the Medicare system. You'll pay premiums, just like insurance, but you cannot be denied coverage. Above all, it's YOUR choice."

[Libertas1776]

62. To the DU

optimists, Obama is always playing Chess. He is Boris Spassky, Garry Kasparov, and Bobby Fischer all rolled into fucking one, apparently. Well, I am no damn optimist. I am a goddamn pessimist, a cynic who has smelled plenty bullshit come upwind from Washington. Well cover your noses folks, a big fucking cow pie is being plopped in DC this Fall. Change We Can Believe In? More like change...change...got any spare change. Hey brother can you spare a dime? Oh that time is coming, my friends.

And if I am wrong; if by some miracle something actually bares fruit well than you can pin a tail on my hide and call me a jackass. But I am pretty certain the only tail pinning due will be upon the hides of the Democratic leadership.

[tinrobot]

63. Obama has no plans to insist on a public option?

Sorry, but that seems rather milquetoast to me.

[FrenchieCat]

64. So Politico reports based on official sources unamed and

their own prediction. I shit you not.

What is milquetoast is how everyone forms an opinion on this President
based on what politico says.

Almost seem like they have more power over what we think
than they should have the right to. It's like they own us.

[tinrobot]

67. So far, he has been milquetoast.

He's let Congress run wild and has no clear position. That is not leadership.

[bridgit]

65. It isn't *breaking* that Obama is giving yet another lawyerly specifying moment about health care...

It's just round 3-4 months late that's all

[onestepforward]

66. I'm looking forward to his speech. I wish him great success! K&R