by Noam N. Levey
A decade and a half after his healthcare overhaul campaign collapsed, former President Clinton came to Capitol Hill this afternoon to rally Democratic senators to back the healthcare legislation now making its way through Congress.
"I just told them that I thought economically America had to pass healthcare reform because we were spending $900 billion more a year than any other system and getting less for it in terms of health outcomes and number of people insured," Clinton told reporters after he addressed lawmakers at their weekly closed-door lunch.
"In terms of policy, there is no perfect solution because this is a big, open, organic system that will have to be changed repeatedly over the next four or five years. but it's important to make a beginning."
As cameras flashed, the former president added: "Whatever their differences are, I just urged them to resolve their differences and pass a bill. I also believe, you know, people hire us to come to work in places like this to solve problems and stand up and do it. ... This is an economic imperative."
Before leaving the crowd of reporters outside the Senate chamber, Clinton took a quick call on his cell phone.
"That's my secretary of state," Clinton smiled, an allusion to the former first lady who led his healthcare campaign and is now the nation's senior diplomat.
(Former President Bill Clinton pictured above talking with reporters after discussing health care in the Democrats' weekly caucus, a closed-door meeting in the Capitol, today. Photo by Tim Sloan / AFP / Getty Images.)
Comments
"Bill Clinton rallies senators: Health care"
Yeah, but Sarah Palin just wrote on her FaceBook page that health care reform meant death panels for granny...?
Posted by: I wanna be a Republican idiot | November 10, 2009 2:51 PM
Pass the bill quickly.
We will decide later how to pay for it.
This is the problem that our politicians in Washington fear to answer. They have been trying for years to address the massive shortages in Social Security and Medicare funding and keep putting it off.
I am against passing another entitlement program until the politicians take the dificult steps in funding those programs already in existence.
Posted by: Pat H | November 10, 2009 4:31 PM
BillyBob wants to grab credit where it's not due.
Don't get between him and an open mike.
You'll be trampled to death.
Posted by: ornery | November 10, 2009 8:29 PM
Bill is right! And I'm guessing he knows all too well how imperative the public option. How could he not after seeing this up close? http://cli.gs/23yYaM/
Posted by: Stephanie Hunter | November 10, 2009 10:52 PM
I would think that former President Clinton had the sense to confer with our Senators in a less theatrical fashion. His day on that stage has ended, as good a job as he did. It is now time, for our present leaders, to step forward and make those tough decisions and that means, what is best for all of America. If that means you support something that is unpopular, in your district, but is good for the entire nation, than you bite the bullet and do what is right for America !! As for paying for Healthcare, we will follow past-practice, the Bush&Cheney way. We'll worry about it later !! Let the next President take all the heat for it. Oh, that's what's happening right now. President Obama's getting blamed for all of the Bush&Cheney past-practices !! Fortunately, two nitwits, Bush&Cheney, don't come anywhere close to equaling a sharp wit, President Obama !! Great choice, America !! We now have very capable leadership at our national helm, President Obama and Vice-President Biden !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 11, 2009 8:36 AM
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 11, 2009 8:36 AM
Your post are one of two thing most time.
1) Rants that are not all that well put together.
2) Or just funny and not in a good way.
Posted by: Crooks_In_DC | November 11, 2009 10:09 AM
Thank you, " Crook....". that meant a lot to me !! I have a difficult time handling compliments !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | November 11, 2009 10:58 AM
I like it how Clinton goes all bug eyed when he thinks that he is being eloquent. The LSM just eats it up. But here’s the deal America, Django is not “doughy” as the name callers in the Swamp would like to think. Clinton is “doughy”. Here’s your “doughy” one. When was the last time this guy got some serious sun?
And why do democrats really care what “we” spend on healthcare? Who the hell is “we”? Does Bill Clinton go around with a frog in his pocket? democrats are going to SPARE us some expense? That just makes NO sense. democrats ALWAYS get away with far too much in framing the argument.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | November 11, 2009 7:36 PM