"President Obama is going all in"

[impik]

Watching President Obama's speech this afternoon on the way forward on health care reform, I noticed something I haven't seen from the always-cool chief executive in a while: real passion.

It was unmistakable -- this president wasn't just making the case for reform, he was practically demanding it. Forget any rumors you may have heard about half-measures or additional compromises. President Obama is going all in.


Snip/

...This was as combative and aggressive as we've seen the president in a while. His tone was defiant and unflinching. He used the word "Republican" 10 times, usually in a negative and critical context. It's as if the president was actually sincere about his bipartisan outreach, and felt personally insulted by the Republicans' games.

If Congress was waiting for the Obama to signal his commitment to getting this done, it's safe to say the president left no doubts.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_03/022682.php#more

[Captain Hilts]

1. I wish he'd been this way before we gave up the public option. nt

[RBInMaine]

2. That can be tried on a separate bill, and Sherrod Brown is going to do that, so quit the shit.

[Captain Hilts]

7. I will quit the shit when we get a PO. I voted for Obama to lead, not follow. nt

[Dragonfli]

9. Credibility is too shot now to believe that without proof

The Mandate is going to hurt many people.
The Excise tax will hurt many more.
The Insurance companies will get all the money and we will have to HOPE they provide the care, they are quite good at denying it.

I will still be dying of a chronic condition only now I will have a new penalty because I can't give up rent and food to pay the corporate vig.

I will cut the shit if they stop screwing me, how's that?

[cliffordu]

28. And you know about

the kinds and amounts of "new penalty because I can't give up rent and food to pay the corporate vig."?? is going to be??

If you know how you'll be hit, will you let the rest of us know?? I cannot figure out what's real and what's rumor and fear.



I hope you get well.

[bvar22]

16. Oh Yes. They're going to do the Public Option...

..right after they fix NAFTA and the Patriot Act.
.
.
.
.
.
Sucker.
I can see you've never played 3-Card Monty.

[Vincardog]

11. I wish he'd been this way before HE forced he POLS to gave up the public option. nt

[spiritual_gunfighter]

40. He didnt give up on it

He never really wanted it to begin with.

[still_one]

3. He better be, because this is a war between the corporations and the citizens /nt

[girl gone mad]

5. Pssst..

he isn't on the side of the citizens.

The bill he wants is a massive, massive corporate giveaway.

[babylonsister]

8. Bullshit. The rethugs aren't on the side of the citizens. Look it up. nt

[warm regards]

13. No, they are not--they are like Democrats;

they are on their own sides.

[still_one]

14. One thing for certain though, you at least have a chance with the Democrats

you have nothing with the republicans

[bvar22]

17. The Working Class hasn't "had a chance with the Democrats"...

..since 1992.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[warm regards]

32. That's what I used to think too.

[HughMoran]

41. Generic gobbledygook speak

Say something of substance, we've heard the rhetoric a million times from you...

[glinda]

6. Corporations are killing us. Monsanto. Health Insurance Industries. Big Pharma....

[Cha]

4. Steve Benen always gets it! Thanks impik~

"At stake right now is not just our ability to solve this problem, but our ability to solve any problem. The American people want to know if it's still possible for Washington to look out for their interests and their future. They are waiting for us to act. They are waiting for us to lead. And as long as I hold this office, I intend to provide that leadership. I don't know how this plays politically, but I know it's right."

[elocs]

10. He may as well because after putting on the line for a year and making comprise and conessions

the Democrats had better come up with something because if they cannot even scrounge up 50 votes in the Senate they will pay the price next fall and then it will be the same thing in spades for the next 2 years.

Passion...damn, it's about time.

[AlinPA]

12. But so far, DeMint is getting his way; HCR has been stalled and is closer to failure

than it is to success. How much have Lieberman, Lincoln, Nelson and the rest of the Blue Dogs in the House and Senate been paid by the RNC to stop this legislation? There will be a lot of summer homes built in the islands and a lot of expensive vacations by those receiving the money.

[customerserviceguy]

15. Then he wasn't staying "on message" as they call it in campaigns

He got elected on a message of being able to work with all parties in any negotiation. He was Mr. Cool, and his calm made John McInsane look like a raving lunatic at times.

The Repubes got him to blow his cool. They've been waiting quite some time for that.

[freddie mertz]

18. About a year too late. nt.

[jefferson_dem]

19. Aye. But you are right on time.

[freddie mertz]

20. I tell it as I see it.

You think this has gone well?

That is really amazing, if so.



Got a pair of these, eh?

[jefferson_dem]

21. Not perfect, by a long stretch.

But it's FINALLY almost done, much to the dismay of the teabaggers and a handful of malcontented libs.

I call it like I see it too.

[Bluebear]

22. "a handful of malcontented libs" - "LIBS?" Really? Lovely.

[freddie mertz]

24. Liberals are evil now. Missed the memo?

Teachers and unions are bad now too.

Take a look around.

[jefferson_dem]

29. Not sure about others but I sure as hell don't consider teachers to be evil.

Self-loathing really isn't my style.

[freddie mertz]

35. I am a teacher myself. So obviously, I object to the latest DU trend. nt.

[jefferson_dem]

27. Wowie. Touchy.

I didn't realize many of my DU friends consider that to be a derogatory shorthand label.

Yes, malcontented. Deal.

[saracat]

31. Handful? Really? Like the unions? Like the teachers? Like those who

want real health care reform? Like the unemployed? Like the GlBT folks? Like the Democrats who stand for choice, and those who believe peace matters? Like those who believe our government should protect us from the abuses of the financial institutions? Hell , yes. I stand with those "malcontented libs" and am PROUD to do so.

I will never stand with those who believe in winning just to win. I will never stand with those who oppose unions, public education, and choice.i will never support those who "sellout" to corporations and banks.And guess what? there are a lot of "coffee drinkers who agree with me! A handful? Not likely but if you wanna take that gamble, go ahead.

[jefferson_dem]

33. I was talking about his efforts on health care reform.

Which is the subject of the OP.

[HughMoran]

42. ...speaking of

nail, meet head

[freddie mertz]

23. Almost done, but not done. Don't count your chickens, my friend.

The Senate-House thing is far from worked out, or or it seems tonight.

[marmar]

25. Libs? ..... Nice use of Limbaughese......

:eyes:

[Bodhi BloodWave]

30. sorry, but i have to ask

when exactly did 'Libs' become an insult?

I've often used it when discussing with liberal friends online and none of them have ever taken offense at it.

[freddie mertz]

36. When preceded by "handful of malcontented", perhaps?

It is almost impossible these days to defend Obama's policies while maintaining even the facade of a liberal or progressive posture.

Mass firing of teachers, union-busting, banker bonus-coddling, Patriot Act extension, war escalation, ignoring war crimes....

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

[EFerrari]

26. Ah, the Faux argument. Democrats are JUST LIKE teabaggers!

LOL

[HughMoran]

43. Heh, I can see above that you got the attention of Les Miserables

Like clockwork, picking on the words and ignoring the meaning.

[Bobbie Jo]

44. !

:spray:

[JTFrog]

34. Yes. He should have had health care done, the economy fixed and all wars ended a year ago.

Fucking slacker.

:eyes:

[apimomfan2]

37. Ponying up the fake BS..

Must be an election coming.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

38. Sorry, but going "all in" --

would have been saying the bill isn't nearly good enough for the American people, we need Medicare for all or a public option open to every citizen. THAT would have bene going all in. And I would have backed him 100%.

[asdjrocky]

39. All in would be single payer.

[GeorgeGist]

45. Had enough of that artificial passion, eh?

Predictable.