The President's Press Conference
The President answered every question the press had for him on health insurance reform at a press conference here at the White House - watch the full video.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-P...ce-Full-Video/
Below are the top five questions Sen. DeMint would like the president to address:
1. If the major provisions of the health care bills will not kick in until 2013, four years from now, why the rush to pass a thousand-page bill before the August recess, a bill you admit that you haven’t fully read yourself?
2. You have said your health care bill will cut costs and not increase the deficit. But, independent analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office contradicts both claims, saying it will raise costs and increase the deficit by $240 billion in the first ten years. What independent analysis will you provide that supports your claims and refutes CBO’s?
3. You have repeatedly said that your health care bill allows any American who likes their current employer-based plan to keep it. But the most comprehensive independent analysis available, by the Lewin Group, contradicts your claim and found your bill will force over 80 million Americans to lose their current coverage. Will you provide independent analysis to refute this study?
4. Your own record in the Senate reveals you spent years voting against nearly every reform to make health care more affordable and accessible, but this week you said that opponents of your plan are “content to perpetuate the status quo, [and] are, in fact, fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests.” Which specific elected officials will you cite that have proposed to keep the status quo, and is that how you characterize the opposition of the 52 Blue Dog Democrats in the House and the moderate Democrats in the Senate?
5. Yes or no question: Will you guarantee pro-life Americans that, under your plan, they will not be forced to subsidize elective abortions?
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A little late ... but you can play while you watch the above vid ... right ?
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Just in time for Barack Obama’s press conference tonite, you can join millions of others around the nation in a fun game of “Straw Man Bingo!” Read more about it below. http://www.rightpundits.com/?p=4382
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Get your card here :
http://abcnews.go.com.images/Politics/Bingo.pdf
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Members Who Vote for Government-Run Health Care Should Enroll Themselves
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I recently introduced a resolution urging Members of Congress who vote for government-run health care to automatically enroll themselves in the government-run plan.
Over the past few weeks, Members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration’s proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, I believe this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. My resolution will offer Members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.
Under the current draft of the Democrat health care legislation, Members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating. For more information go to my website at http://fleming.house.gov.
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See also :
http://www.riehlworldview.com/carniv...a-presser.html
Obama Presser
Update You can rate the Presser yourself via The Conservative Underground. (link here
http://tcunation.com )
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Update: Overall grade - an E. Mostly unresponsive. More selling than it was informing. A waste of time. Here is a response from Mike Pence:
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“The last thing this country needs during the worst recession in a generation is a trillion dollar co-pay that will kill jobs, raise taxes, and force millions of hard-working Americans to lose their current health care plan. The American people simply cannot afford the president’s health care proposal.
"The President of the United States may 'mean it' when he says a government takeover of health care won't add to the deficit but every American knows that a government-run health insurance plan will mean more deficits and more debt.
“House Republicans, like all Americans, want to improve our nation’s health care system. Unfortunately, the president would rather engage in straw man tactics than tackle the challenges facing our nation in a bipartisan manner.
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The first question from the AP was why doesn't Obama take a stand on his policy preferences, given that it is his deadline.
He responded with a long rambling speech on the problems before saying he wanted to limit deductions for coverage on the "wealthy". He continued to play the class card by saying he didn't want the middle class taxed. That sounds good, but is it realistic? He then tossed it back to Congress without a firm commitment to any strategy. He said it's his job, but doesn't want his name on a specific proposal. I thought this ws about leadership? Evidently, not from him. He's content to follow and won't truly step up.
He then ate up significant question time by rambling on the problems, again.
First answer grade: F- the minus for wasting so much question time.
Second question: Why the rush?
He's rushing because of familes - het gets letters. Let's inject more stories personal here. His 2nd point: If you don't set deadlines, nothing happens. People have time to think and decide things are working for them. He wants to take advantage of the stars being aligned by rushing.
Will not sign a bill that increases the debt, or doesn't solve health care cost inflation. He claims health care is cheaper with a better result elsewhere according to experts, but gives no example. WHY not talk about Canada, or Britain? This is just talk.
Answer grade: D
Chuck Todd - must everyone be covered, perhaps with a mandate?
Talks about Single Payer - oh great! He claims proposed plans will cover 97 - 98 percent. If we re-design certain elements of system, everything will be paid for. No specifics. This is the typical pie in the sky government rhetoric.
Answer grade: D
Next question about opposition:
I am not bashing Republicans. Yeah, right. Credits Grassley and others, maybe he should check with Nancy Pelosi on this question. Some Democrats have different ideas and concerns, medicare cost in certain communities, but resolution can add cost. Doesn't that mean there will still be problems?
Answer Grade E
Next Question: What about sacrifices required?
They will give up paying for things that don't make them healthier. Who says? Obama and some panel, I guess. Dances around defensive medicine issues due to lawsuits. Doesn't address it. People need to ask themselves if they want the government telling them what "works". Clearly choices will go away. Everyone will need to be more discriminating consumers. I guess because the government dictates it?
Talks again of deficit and debt. Not on topic. More wsting of question time for debateable sales points without rebuttal. Blames Bush, talks economy, yadda, yadda. non-responsive.
Talks about need for massive government reform and spending cuts. WHy not concentrate on those first? That would make the most sense.
Answer grade: E
Q from Chip Reid on Medicare: Cuts in Medicare without specifics. Be specific. Congress must accept or reject outside board recommendations - up or down vote on package. Drugs cmpanies are only stepping up because there's more than $80 billion dollars of waste. Wow, bash your own support for the program?? Provides no specifics.
Answer Grade F
Next Q - no openess, no CPAN debate. Are you being transparent?
Oh, you were there taking pictures. We sent out a letter naming visiting executives. Too many meetings for public airing. Says he's been more transparent than Bush. Bush wasn't around long enough after TARP passed to say that.
Next Q: Off into financial regulatory reform. I thought we were here to discuss health care? Way to feed him a softball question in this sense.
Next Q on plan leading to reduced benefits: WIll government deny coverage, will Congress abide by same rules?
It will match up with Federal Plan. What nonsense! Wants a public plan to keep insurance companies honest. More BS - competition does that, or would with less regulation across state lines. Insurance are making record profts - where's the constraint on that? SO Obama will dictate profits? That isn't competition. WOn't guaratee there won't be changes. It just gets better with this guy. Says doctors may be making money based on profit. Why take tonsils out for allergies???? Whaaat?? Such gibberish.
Says he would be happy to abide by same coverage but he's the President. Doh!
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Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.** a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT! 
Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?
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