by Christi Parsons and Noam N. Levey
President Obama is becoming more personally invested in rallying the public and Congress behind a healthcare overhaul, even as some Republicans raise the stakes in the debate by claiming that defeating his plan would undermine his presidency.
Leaving little doubt that his popularity and political capital are on the line, Obama has scheduled a stream of public appearances this week to push his top domestic priority -- including television interviews, a town hall meeting and a prime-time news conference set for Wednesday night.
At the same time, the president and his senior aides are intensifying their efforts to prod, cajole and comfort congressional Democrats nervous about the escalating battle.
On Monday, Obama criticized Republicans for putting politics ahead of solving a national problem. During an afternoon trip to a children's hospital, the president seized on a recent statement by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who said healthcare could prove to be Obama's undoing.
"Just the other day, one Republican senator said -- and I'm quoting him now -- 'If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him,' " the president told reporters.
"This isn't about me," he said. "This isn't about politics. This is about a healthcare system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses and breaking America's economy."
See the full report on Obama's healthcare reform push in Tribune newspapers and here in the Swamp:
A new poll that found public approval of Obama's work on healthcare had dropped below 50% for the first time highlighted the political peril. The Washington Post/ABC survey said that a majority of respondents supported the chief elements of a plan put forth by House Democrats, but it also suggested that those voicing strong support and those in strong opposition were about equal.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele on Monday issued a critical evaluation of Obama's healthcare initiative.
"It is time to hit the pause button on this administration's reckless experiment with America's economy and our healthcare system," he said in an address to the National Press Club.
Asked if the issue presented Republicans with a chance to break the president politically, Steele said he thought that was "a good way to put it," echoing DeMint's comparison to the defeat that ended Napoleon Bonaparte's reign as emperor of France.
Nevertheless, the White House was pushing forward with a strategy developed on the campaign trail last year and honed in the early legislative battles over the federal stimulus package and global warming: Obama will take his case directly to the American people.
The fate of the president's healthcare agenda hinges on his ability to rally enough Democrats to push legislation through the House and Senate. And that is shaping up as a major challenge.
Many Democratic lawmakers are increasingly uneasy about criticism from industry groups and others -- including the Congressional Budget Office -- that the bills being developed in the House and the Senate do not do enough to control healthcare spending.
A block of centrist Blue Dog Democrats in the House has warned that it may fight against creating a government-sponsored insurance plan that would offer Americans an alternative to private insurers. Freshman Democrats have expressed concerns about provisions in the House bill to raise taxes on wealthy Americans. And in the Senate, centrist Democrats and Republicans have urged a slower pace in developing legislation.
Obama privately has prodded senior Democrats to keep healthcare legislation moving, a message he has reinforced in conversations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), aides briefed on the talks said. And last week, the administration for the first time suggested specific healthcare legislation -- recommending an independent board be created to depoliticize part of the system.
At the same time, the president's team has been working to reassure rank-and-file Democrats worried about criticism of the healthcare bill and signs of sagging public support. There were multiple meetings with lawmakers at the White House last week, capped by a sit-down with 40 freshmen Democrats.
"The president was very receptive," said Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a leading critic of the plan's tax elements.
Today, Obama is dispatching Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Office of Health Reform director Nancy-Ann DeParle to Capitol Hill to talk with Senate Democrats at their weekly luncheon.
The administration's behind-the-scenes work has been accompanied by a reminder to congressional Democrats that their fates are tied to the president's.
Organizing for America -- a grass-roots project of the Democratic National Committee that was built on Obama's campaign machine -- over the weekend expanded a TV advertising campaign targeting markets in states that are home to centrist Democrats as well as some Republicans.
The television spots resurrect and recast the "Harry and Louise" characters that helped kill President Clinton's attempt to overhaul healthcare. This time around, the duo favors the plan.
Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), who has urged a slower timeline and said he would not be bullied by the ads, allowed Monday that he did not begrudge the president for stepping up the pressure.
"The president has to do what he feels is going to work to get this legislation to move," he said.
The White House blitz this week will include one-on-one presidential interviews with public television's Jim Lehrer and Katie Couric of CBS News, as well as a prime-time news conference Wednesday night.
Obama will travel to Cleveland on Thursday for a town hall forum in which he will take questions from the audience but also turn the conversation to the topics he wants to address.
At the children's hospital Monday, Obama responded to his critics by saying, "We can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to healthcare." He called on lawmakers to pass a plan "by the end of this year."
"We've talked this problem to death year after year," he said. "Unless we act, and act now, none of this will change."
Comments
So the Puppet Boy President is going to do some actual work now or just stay on tour?
Posted by: TA | July 21, 2009 8:10 AM
If this bill passes, congress should have to participate in it too.
The CBO is estimating the costs will be much higher than the president is telling us.
We need to make sure that illegal aliens are NOT allowed to receive benefits under any plan because it will reward illegal behavior, encourage more illegal behavior and drive up costs
There is a need for changing some health care provisons in this country. However, we need to make darn sure that we don't rush this through or we will end up with poorly thought out legislation that will not meet its stated goals and will cost more than anticipated, just like the recent so called stimulus.
Posted by: ed | July 21, 2009 9:05 AM
The GOP has made a serious mistake in labeling health care reform as "Obamacare." That is exactly what Frank Luntz warned them NOT to do in his memo: "(I)f the dynamic becomes ‘President Obama is on the side of reform and Republicans are against it,’ then the battle is lost and every word in this document is useless."
As for doing some "actual work," it's Congress that has to be whipped into shape after eight lazy years; and Obama is sending signals that he's more than willing to make Congress work through their August vacation.
Posted by: Matt Osborne | July 21, 2009 9:27 AM
Obama qualifications to reform health care:
No birth certificate
Cannot stop smoking
Difficulty telling the truth.
Therefore, I Igor produce Obama Birth Certificate at www.igormaro.org
Compare Obama Care vs Igor Care at Obama vs Igor Care
Posted by: Igor Marxomarxovichi | July 21, 2009 9:34 AM
Obama's latest poll numbers show him tracking Jimmy Carter for the same period of Carter's presidency--only he's running 2-3% BEHIND Carter.
He's bankrupting the country. The $23 trillion stimulus/bailout is already a flop. By his own numbers, his "stimulus" has made the economy worse, not better. No wonder more and more people look upon him as another Jimmy "malaise" Carter.
Posted by: No Hope, and No Change | July 21, 2009 9:40 AM
The absolute best thing for Republicans to do is keep their mouths shut.
Instead, they have so demonized Obama and his health care plan as to lose public support and give the president an easy target to blame and attack.
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | July 21, 2009 9:55 AM
Obama responded to his critics by saying, "We can't afford the politics of delay and defeat when it comes to healthcare."
We can't afford the politics of pell mell into hell either. Read the bill, understand the bill, make sure that it does what it's intended to do and what the administration tells us it will do (they should be the same thing!), get it right.
Posted by: DaveB | July 21, 2009 9:58 AM
@Ed:
Illegal aliens are also human beings. I'm pretty sure on that one.
Should hospitals just refuse to treat them? Or should we, as a society, simply decide that it's better to let "illegal aliens" get sick and die for lack of treatment?
I'm not being facetious. I see this as a valid public policy question.
Posted by: a blinkin | July 21, 2009 9:58 AM
How is Obama personally involved? He, his family and the rest of the "ruling class" of federal legislators won't have to put up with the garbage that this bill will force working Americans to participate in?
Posted by: Devil's Advocate | July 21, 2009 10:09 AM
What a relief to watch a real President in action, as opposed to one, who claims victory, while we watch, in horror, as more of our men and women, in uniform, continue to be killed and maimed. In a war that was supposed have been won, years ago !! Well, President Obama is showing the nation how to lead, how to be a real President. He is fighting for all of America and in my opinion, he is doing as good a job, as his opposition, the Republicans, will allow him. They and their Corporate sponsors, with all the tax write-offs for advertising, that are legally allowed, have lied and distorted the health-scare issue.
I know, first hand, I'm in the middle of a battle with cancer and everyday, bills come back to me, requesting I pay them, from $33,000 or $27,000, etc., etc. I will not mention names, as to who these insurers are, but I payed my payroll premium, faithfully, year in and year out. Should I have to be harassed, while struggling for my life. This is what hard-working Americans are having to deal with, with these profiteers and there is no let up. Talk about rationing, the profiteers denied me a PET scan, my oncologist ordered and they came back and denied the request. Is that healthcare, now in my lexicon, that is health--scare. They are scaring the life out of me, all the while, they count their money. That's not the American way, I don't care how in love you are with money or Capitalism. That is the mean-spirited way; I got mine and I don't care what happens to you !! Talk about being a christian nation, well, for some Americans, talk is cheap. Remember, for all of those, who today are against reforming healthcare, tomorrow, it could by you or one of your loved ones. I hope and pray that it isn't, but you would see what many of us are saying, trying to persuade the nation to be more conscious of their fellow citizens, who need a little help, out here.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 21, 2009 10:26 AM
How is Obama personally involved? He, his family and the rest of the "ruling class" of federal legislators won't have to put up with the garbage that this bill will force working Americans to participate in?
Posted by: Devil's Advocate | July 21, 2009 10:09 AM
For sure, no waiting for anything , just a finger snap.
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 11:06 AM
Obamacare is dead in the water and the boat is sinking under waves of fantasy, payoffs to special friends, and false promises to the proletariat. The needed revenue to pay for his socialists takeover by taxing the wealthy is not there. Boo-Hoo! No tort reform, no fraud reform, just increase gov't takeover, massive higher costs, less quality care with rationing, selective denial of care for those to old to add value to the gov't coffers and even inclusion of coverage of illegals. Yes, cast out those old Conservative citizens for the young illegals, who could be soon voting Democract. Gotta count those votes. RIP and start over with some "common sense" solutions that America wants and can afford. Enough said.
Posted by: bubba Porter | July 21, 2009 11:09 AM
-- The GOP has made a serious mistake in labeling health care reform as "Obamacare." That is exactly what Frank Luntz warned them NOT to do in his memo: "(I)f the dynamic becomes ‘President Obama is on the side of reform and Republicans are against it,’ then the battle is lost and every word in this document is useless."
As for doing some "actual work," it's Congress that has to be whipped into shape after eight lazy years; and Obama is sending signals that he's more than willing to make Congress work through their August vacation.
Posted by: Matt Osborne | July 21, 2009 9:27 AM --
A-yep.
Please, John Boehner! Continue to let Demented Jim DeMint froth at the mouth! It may please the Turner Diaries/RAHOWA fans in your base, but it will scare everyone else in America the way Pat Buchanan's 1992 RNC speech scared the nation into voting for Bill Clinton.
Posted by: Phoenix Woman | July 21, 2009 11:28 AM
So the Puppet Boy President is going to do some actual work now or just stay on tour?
Posted by: TA | July 21, 2009 8:10 AM
H.aven't you heard big vacation very soon, must be nice to get a way from the TelePrompTer
Posted by: Inky | July 21, 2009 11:35 AM
Ed: Here is a question for you; your traveling in Canada (and thereby an ALIEN to that country), and you are one of the14 million US CITIZENS without health insurance. You have a medical emergency, go to the local hospital, and get medical care for FREE (Canada doesn't ask if you live in Canada or some other country before giving medical care). Or maybe you know you are sick and specifically visit Canada just so you can get care. The point being you are an alien to that country, and you get the medical care you need for free.
Think about this and ask yourself again, is denying care to anyone, regardless of their origin of country, the American way. It is difficult to deny in your country (as an uninsured you know well), but when needed, another country will give you the medical care you need for FREE.
Posted by: Dr. Dave | July 21, 2009 11:54 AM
It's amazing how tightly the healthcare industry has a grasp around the necks of the GOP and even the bluedog "democrats". The GOP wants us to do NOTHING -- they want failure. They want the status quo. That is why the GOP will never be the party of change. They fear it. They ridicule it. The healthcare system we have is slowly but surely breaking this country and killing people. We need a public option and we need it now. Nothing will be perfect, but over time a system will be adjusted to work. Bush didn't do a single ounce of "change" in his 8 years in office. It's politically difficult, risky, and tiresome. But Obama is on it, thankfully.
Posted by: Jay | July 21, 2009 2:00 PM
AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
Posted by: jacksmith | July 21, 2009 2:21 PM
ed--I agree with you. We should not be rewarding illegal behavior. Up to 20 million illegals could make the difference between better health care for uninsured American citizens and the rationing of health care to both American citizens and Illegals--who had no regard for our law--or other people waiting their turn to come to the USA the legal and respectful way. Illegal aliens are not on the same par as legal citizens regarding the privileges of being an American. I would not expect to be on par with others in their country either. 20 million Illegals receiving health care will give American citizens a lower standard of health care and living. Why put up with that? There is no "bottomless cup" in this world.
Posted by: Vivian | July 21, 2009 2:34 PM
This is government run healthcare. Maybe you should really go to Canada or England and check out how "great" their healthcare is since the government runs it. Don, I am sorry you are in the predicament but, watch the video they chopped off a ladies legs because by the time they actually got around to her they couldn't save them. This is whats going to happen here. You talk about how Canada will give you free healthcare watch the video. A guy waited 9 hours to get checked out for a broken bone. Even here they will set your broken bone without insurance faster than that. All of you promoters of this reform go check out some countries that actually have this first and attempt to get yourself fixed up out of country without insurance and see what kind of help you can get for free. The majority of our hospitals are better than the best in other countries. You want this and that for free or you want to get it through taxes you are all mistaken. While I think some basic care should be provide full out government healthcare will be the demise of the US and bring down the great country we have spent over 200 years building.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2jijuj1ysw
Posted by: Geoff W | July 21, 2009 2:36 PM
Posted by: Vivian | July 21, 2009 2:34 PM
I agree about the evils of Illegal aliens Vivian. I really wish we would have taken catre of those Illegal land stealing "pilgrims" the moment the stepped ashore. Look at how their decendsants have overcrowded and destroyed this land. We should have run that criminal trash back to europe where their kind belong.
Posted by: Wahunsenacawh | July 21, 2009 5:06 PM
Barack Obama will never say to your face what he actually plans to do -or achieve- with these huge new government programs.
Rather, you get some specious auditory performance with styrofoam props to wow the plebes, like the tacky greek columns in Denver. To him, the revolutionary ends justify the Alinskyite means- so the Dear Leader tells you whatever he needs to.
As for the American public, the reality that Obama is not up to the job seems to finally be setting-in; Obama's poll numbers are now headed steadily south.
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | July 21, 2009 5:09 PM
This is a friend of ours. Any of you who don't believe we need healthcare reform need to read this article and think about it happening to you! It can and his wife worked for the company!!!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-tue-problem-insurance-0721jul21,0,5666288.column
Posted by: lochnesssmonster | July 21, 2009 5:22 PM
I have checked it out. A cousin of mine is suffering from cancer, too, in Ireland and he receives treatment without all of the hassles that our system visits upon the sick. He doesn't seem to have any problem with rationing, that our system, of private healthcare insurers, forces on their " clients ", here in America. All I hear are distortions from those who don't like the good news, they hear about the government-run healthcare, of other countries. What I hear about these government sponsored healthcare programs are a lot better than what I know about our private health insurer's programs. What the heck, our government-run program to get a man on the moon, was successful, as is our own nation, which is government-run !! Come on, America, help President Obama make America a fairer nation, as in: One for All and All for One. We need healthcare reform, real meaningful reform, now.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 21, 2009 5:31 PM
My Dad in Ireland waited for 3 years for 2 operations on his legs to be completed!! While he waited he was in a lot of pain and was fed painkillers by his doctors. The 2 operations were completed in summer of 2008.
My cousin is a doctor in Ireland and as I am in the healthcare industry in the US we have had many conversations about the differences here versus there.
It is an absolute FACT that healthcare is very much rationed in Ireland. Doctors are encouraged to delay test and treatments.
Do not believe the figures that compare the quality of care in the US versus other countries with government run systems. When the government runs the system, they have the ability to distort the figures for their own political reasons.
Posted by: Medical insurance | July 21, 2009 6:18 PM
What quality of care, in America, for those who are uninsured or underinsured? Quit shilling for the Health-scare Corporations !
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | July 21, 2009 8:45 PM
I read the comments and want to laugh, but then I cry with respect to just how many people do not understand that while this country needs to FIX the health care issue-the WORST thing that can happen is the government taking it over.
Pull in the reins on health insurance sky rocket rates, friggin TORT reform--this is the one thing that is driving up costs like NO ONES BUSINESS!!
Alas, Obama hasn't a clue what is in the Health Care bill, or maybe he does and thinks that playing stupid will get him by:
With the public’s trust in his handling of health care tanking (50%-44% of Americans disapprove), the White House has launched a new phase of its strategy designed to pass Obamacare: all Obama, all the time. As part of that effort, Obama hosted a conference call with leftist bloggers urging them to pressure Congress to pass his health plan as soon as possible.
The portion of the bill that a lot of American's are referring to is around page 15, regarding private health care.
Non-government lingo: If you have private health care you can keep it, but if you lose your job or quite-YOU CANNOT.
Now, You can get private health care insurance, BUT you must CHOOSE the healthcare that the government tells you is okay to have.
LOL...WTF...really? Didn't we all turn 18, become voting adults with the capability of choosing our own health care that is not the governments business?
Anyway.........You guys will love this! This took place today-
During the call, a blogger from Maine said he kept running into an Investors Business Daily article that claimed Section 102 of the House health legislation would outlaw private insurance. He asked: “Is this true? Will people be able to keep their insurance and will insurers be able to write new policies even though H.R. 3200 is passed?” President Obama replied: “You know, I have to say that I am not familiar with the provision you are talking about.” (quote begins at 17:10)
Hmm, Section 102 of H.R. 3200 -is- rather vague.
A copy of it can be found here: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text
Posted by: KMDay | July 22, 2009 12:08 AM
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clad be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."
runescape money
Posted by: runescape gold | July 22, 2009 4:53 AM
Wahunsen--I believe Native American Indians are citizens of the USA. It did stink how that all happened--although my people did not arrive here from Europe until the 1920s. Not a problem for you to be included in health care as you are a citizen. Please tell all of us how that government health care is for you, or others on various reservations. It could help shed some light on the future of our health care. Do you have the book "Of Utmost Good Faith"--the case of the American Indian against the federal government as documented in treaties, speeches, judicial rulings, congressional bills and hearings from 1830 to the present--edited by Vine Deloria Jr? It's the best book to explain things to me--next to anything about Rolling Thunder. Thanks for acknowledging my comment.
Posted by: Vivian | July 22, 2009 6:51 PM
Obama criticized Republicans for putting politics ahead of solving a national problem.
Posted by: mdeals | July 23, 2009 1:07 AM