Liberals grill Obama on health reform

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/85087-liberals-grill-obama-on-health-reform

House liberals pressed President Barack Obama on healthcare reform Thursday and left the White House without making any commitments to vote for the final bill.

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told The Hill that liberals challenged Obama on the lack of a public health insurance option and other provisions in the Senate bill the president has endorsed.

Lee said Obama said he still "strongly supports" a public option, but "the votes aren't there."

But, she said, Obama said the current healthcare legislation is a "foundation," adding he "would work with us on the next effort."

"I am going to keep hoping for a public option," Lee said. "And he said he's going to work with us."

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. Barbara sweetie --

I say this with love.

"Don't hold your breath, honey." :(

[xchrom]

4. She's my rep and I lover her -- but it's a Cinderella story

Thinking he'll do then what he won't do now.

[DURHAM D]

2. "still strongly supports a public option"

Why do I keep singing "Sidestep" from Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Charles Durning as the Governor of Texas earned an Oscar nomination for his performance.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. The votes aren't there?

But there is a Dem President with Dem majorities in both the House and the Senate. There is no acceptable explanation for that failure and it is obvious that the President is a little lacking in political skill and leadership. Just think how different our political landscape would be if LBJ had walked away from civil rights legislation because the votes weren't there. Probably the most disheartening thing is just how little fight and principlled comittment the President has for meaningful healthcare reform. All he has done is continually revise his demands and expectations downward.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. Or the right for women to vote --

it was down to one person on that vote. His Mom sent him a note telling him to do the right thing.

[cal04]

6. Sherrod Brown coming up on Ed about introducing

a public option

[Winterblues]

7. Put it to a vote and let's just see if the votes are not there and if they are not

then we will at least know who the "Democrats" are that won't vote for it after suggesting they would. It would be a very interesting discovery I am sure.

[QC]

8. "the votes aren't there."

Especially if no one is making any effort to round them up.

[brentspeak]

9. Obama speaks to the progressives with the same attitude as

do Wall Street boards' of executives and directors when they are obligated to attend angry shareholder meetings: people vent their frustrations; the executives simply sit there, not caring, check their watches, and then get into their limos -- to be repeated at next years' shareholder meeting.

[Bluebear]

10. "strongly supports" - fierce!!