http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/08/health.care/index.html

Quote :

"White House official: Feb. 25 health care meeting to be televised Washington (CNN) -- President Obama's bipartisan meeting on health care reform planned for February 25 will be broadcast live, a senior administration official said Monday. Coverage details were not complete, but the official said the White House expected "the whole thing to be live." The half-day meeting is an attempt by the Obama administration to rescue health care legislation, a top domestic priority for the president. Televising it also would help fulfill a campaign promise by Obama that health care negotiations would be broadcast live. On Tuesday, Obama will meet with Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate for bipartisan talks that the president promised in his State of the Union address last month. Tuesday's meeting now will help prepare for the February 25 health care talks. Republican leaders in Congress said they would welcome an opportunity to take part in drafting health care legislation, but they repeated their past calls for Obama and Democratic leaders to throw out separate health care bills already passed by the House and Senate"

I know there is a hugely long health care thread already that will probably outlive this thread, but this being about a very specific event I thought merited special attention both in that it was promised in the State of the Union and that it marks a move towards more transparency (which frankly should have been done already, even if no one likes to see the sausage get made... I think President has learned a little something from his first year on this, and with his Question Time). Obviously the economy is a larger priority for the President this year, but health care reform is not being forgotten.

2/9/2010 12:31:05 AM

I think the republican’s miserable failure at the QA has helped sharpen Obama’s strategies to deal with them.

I saw an article saying the republicans might opt-out of the session, which is the worst thing for them to do, and may have been within the expectations of the Obama admin when they made the offer. It almost seems like the direct communication between parliament congress and the president is a good way to break gridlock, because instead of just nay-saying, it forces the republicans to put up or shut up, versus just shutting up.

2/9/2010 2:14:52 AM

Now that they don't have a super majority to grip about, they have to try to govern. If they pull out of this meeting now, and stay on all gridlock, all filibuster, all the time the tide will change on them pretty fast... if it isn't already.

2/9/2010 2:30:11 AM

It's telling that Obama's killer plan to deal with the GOP is to simply discuss the issues out in the open.

2/9/2010 9:49:10 AM

I like how you've complained that the GOP might not show up and called them pussies for it, but haven't quite said why they might not show up: namely that they feel Obama is doing this just for show and isn't actually listening to them. I think their moves recently to say "hey, here's a bare minimum of what we want" are an olive branch. It's up to Obama to act on that.

Of course, if they don't show up, we can count on CBS, NBC, ABC and MSNBC to spin this until kingdom come without actually mentioning why they didn't show up, so who knows.

BTW, a decent press would have been asking "why televise it now. Why not before, you know, like you promised. Not that the MSM will do that

2/9/2010 10:15:36 AM

Quote :

"BTW, a decent press would have been asking "why televise it now. Why not before, you know, like you promised. Not that the MSM will do that "

Yep. A lot of repubs feel it will just be an opportunity for the president to scold them on national television instead of really trying to work with them. Remember what he said in his first meeting with the repubs? "We won". The president's idea of bipartisanship is having someone from the other party going along with whatever he wants to do, instead of working together on a compromise. Which is what MOST politicians idea of bipartisanship is.

With that said, I love the way he is acting NOW with respect to health care reform. Much more presidential and OPEN imo. (at worse, he is at least putting on a better SHOW for the people for open govt and working together than before)

2/9/2010 10:26:21 AM

There isn't much to discuss. The Democrats are not going to support competition across state lines, changing the tax code drastically, or anything else that needs to be done. It's just more of the same boneheaded ideas like making it illegal for insurance companies to deny people with pre-existing conditions. Democrats never even entertain the ideas that come from the right, they just say, "Well, those ideas wouldn't be enough to fix the problem, so we'll dismiss them entirely."

I would rather Republicans stand their ground and refuse to let anything go through. There should be no compromise. I don't want to see some of the stuff that I want, and some of the stuff that Democrats want. The things Democrats want in the bill would be very destructive. I couldn't care less if we have bipartisanship in Congress. Republicans should participate in this meeting, but I don't expect anything to come out of it.

2/9/2010 10:30:15 AM

^I think there are some things both sides agree on. The president himself mentioned Tort reform and they have mentioned crossing state lines. Everyone seems to agree that the insurance companies should NOT be allowed to drop someone if they are paying thier premiums. That needs to be fixed, ASAP.

I think a bill will go through, it will do a little bit of housekeeping but far from drastic reform he was after. imo

2/9/2010 10:45:03 AM

Quote :

"I think there are some things both sides agree on. The president himself mentioned Tort reform and they have mentioned crossing state lines. Everyone seems to agree that the insurance companies should NOT be allowed to drop someone if they are paying thier premiums. That needs to be fixed, ASAP. "

If that's the case, then great. Rescission, to me, already seems like breach of contract or fraud, so it should be against the law, it's just an issue of enforcement.

2/9/2010 10:52:51 AM

Quote :

"hey, here's a bare minimum of what we want"

They've not stated this in any certain terms. They're constantly talking about pet issues, but nothing to the effect of "if you put this in the bill, we'll vote for it."

Because we all know they'll never vote for it.


Which is why Obama should be doing this just for show, because the GOP has been doing the exact same thing for a year, now. This isn't about fleshing out a compromise-- it's about exposing the fact that the GOP won't compromise.

2/9/2010 11:07:07 AM

This is a ploy by the Obama Regime to try and save seats in Congress and nothing more. He is not going to listen to anything the Republicans bring up. He will dismiss them and scold the Republicans for being obstructionist.

I know a majority of people in this country want Healthcare Reform, but most Americans do not want the current House and Senate Plans. Especially the ones with kickbacks for Louisiana and Nebraska. Obama makes it seem like the people in the country are clamoring for those plans and they are not.

Republicans want to start from scratch and work on reform that all can agree on. There is nothing in the current plans that any Republican added so why would they vote for it. The current bills are by Democrats for Democrats.

Lest we forget that its not Republicans fault this bill hasn't been passed. As is constantly pointed out the Democrats have a majority in both houses of congress. Its other Democrats that are keeping this from being passed.

2/9/2010 12:10:18 PM

It's true that the Democrats haven't been able to achieve perfection in order to have cloture on a Republican filibuster, but it's ridiculous to say that the GOP has had no part in this.

They're the ones filibustering. They're the ones in lock-step against it.

It's like saying only the top inch of water is responsible for overflowing a bathtub.

2/9/2010 12:39:59 PM

Quote :

" With that said, I love the way he is acting NOW with respect to health care reform. Much more presidential and OPEN imo"

how quickly we forget that this was done at the beginning of the debate as well.

2/9/2010 1:00:13 PM

The GOP has a chance to call out the Dems on national television if they think they're wrong while making their case to other leaders and directly to the public. The GOP could use this as an opportunity if to present their ideas and show America whether compromise happens or not, because if they back out now it'll just be more one more example of GOP gridlock.

When you're threatening to filibuster everything, when you are voting against legislation you've introduced because democrats started voting for it too, when you vote against legislation and then show up at the event for the fire station or school the legislation saved and claim credit for it... it is time to put it all out in the public.

2/9/2010 1:29:54 PM

Quote :

"The GOP has a chance to call out the Dems on national television "

Worked well for Joe Wilson.

Quote :

"They're the ones filibustering"

Really? Where? They just now have gotten enough votes to try it. Whats the excuse for not getting it passed before? Oh thats right, it was an unpopular bill, full of backroom meetings, and special favors that the public hated.

Sarijoul, I disagree. This tone at least now is far different from the "we won, now get in line" tone he had before. He is coming off very presidential with this approach, even if it is just a show.

2/9/2010 1:47:36 PM

The President was willing to go into the Elephants' Den alone for his Question Time/Q&A with all of its partisanship, surely the GOP isn't so afraid that they'll back out of a bipartisan meeting where they can bring their whole team?

2/9/2010 1:54:28 PM

I dont think they will not go supplanter. We are only suggesting why some have reservations about going.

Here is an article on it.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/09/gop-wary-obama-health-trap/

2/9/2010 1:59:34 PM

You all should have reservations about going.

You're about to enter a policy debate with no real policies.

2/9/2010 2:50:47 PM

or they can stand behind and actually defend the big cuts in benefits that paul ryan is suggesting.

2/9/2010 2:53:17 PM

Dont be an idiot boone, repubs have offered solutions, admendments, and thier own plan, but they arent in a power position. They even offered admendments that would make congress have the same plan that they pass... of course it didnt make it in the bill.

The area where they are dropping the ball is going after the cuts in medicare for political gain. We NEED those cuts, just like we needed SS reform. Its just too easy to score political points for the opposition.

2/9/2010 3:02:27 PM

most of the things that republicans have offered were included in some form in the senate bill. of course, they could have negotiated for stronger forms of these provisions if republicans showed any sign of actually supporting the bill (see: snowe supporting medicare buy-in, etc. before the party whipped her into shape)

2/9/2010 3:14:45 PM

this whole things is like kabuki theater by this point. i have no idea how in the world anything would change by this point, unless the dems caved to the gop and threw in fun ideas like allowing competition across state lines (ie: incorporate all companies in the northern marianas).

2/9/2010 3:34:08 PM

THe whole competition across state lines has the publics support. But I agree with you^. This is just a show. As someone mentioned earlier, just trying to save a couple seats.

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 3:39 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2010 3:38:59 PM

Quote :

"Worked well for Joe Wilson."

In all seriousness, it worked VERY well for Joe Wilson.

First people bitch about Obama not having an open debate.
Now people bitch about Obama having an open debate.

This weill be the GOP's chance to showcase their reform strategy; to prove their ideas are worth relection. There's nothing Obama can do to stop them.

2/9/2010 3:51:41 PM

Quote :

"This is a ploy by the Obama Regime to try and save seats in Congress and nothing more. He is not going to listen to anything the Republicans bring up. He will dismiss them and scold the Republicans for being obstructionist."

THis is obvious complete bullshit that you have swallowed from the leaders of the GOP.

Obama has done a fair amount of what the right has been bitching about, between the stalling of the healthcare bill, the push to reduce the deficit, the contemplation of moving the KSM trial.

Obama has shown himself to be far more willing to compromise and listen to his opposition than Bush ever did during his years.

It's absurd that you are blindly clinging to the right-wing talking point that OBama simply doesn't listen, when he's pissed off a lot on the left for listening too much. Obama has maintained since the campaign that he's not an ideologue, and he has stuck to this pretty closely.

2/9/2010 3:57:55 PM

Quote :

"Dont be an idiot boone, repubs have offered solutions"

You would've had me if you had forced me to stick with "policies." I was exaggerating; the GOP does in fact have some policies.

What it absolutely doesn't have is "solutions." A solution solves a problem. The problem is lack of health coverage. The Democratic plan will provide 36 million people with insurance. The GOPs plan will provide insurance to 3 million people. That is not a solution.

And they don't even have a way to pay for that measly amount.

2/9/2010 3:59:11 PM

drama

2/9/2010 4:06:10 PM

no, the problem is NOT a lack of coverage. Its the increasing cost. Point taken on "solutions" though, I was simply trying to say they have offered thier own "solutions", instead of just saying NO like many try to paint them. I, personally, havent heard what I would consider a perfect plan, but its probably politically impossible.

So Obama has stalled the health care bill and is pushing to reduce the deficit.... all bc the GOP wants this... jesus. LOL

Lumex, Obama himself said the days of backdoor meetings and special favors were over. And the debates would all be on cspan instead of behind closed doors. Clearly he was full of shit, THAT is what he was being called out on.

As for them able to showcase thier reform plans, they might not be able to do that. Just as Joe Wilson wasnt able to give an explaination. Granted, I know this is a vastly different situation, however O will be in control of this meeting.

2/9/2010 4:07:14 PM

^ the point is that is more of a gross mischaracterization to say the Obama admin is doing this just for show, than it is to say the GOP is just nay-saying.

2/9/2010 4:14:31 PM

I still dont understand your point. Clearly Obama was pushing to RUSH the health care bill and is doubling the debt.

2/9/2010 4:27:19 PM

Yes, he "rushed" a bill that was supposed to passed in summer, then before christmas, then just after christmas, that is now back on the drawing boards.

And the Republicans (and some democrats) have bitterly resisted the Obama admin's efforts to set limits on the deficit, they have complained about cuts to the budget, and now they are complaining about having a direct line of communication to the president of the US.

The right has done 0 compromising over the past few months, so they can't really play the victimized minority card in this game.

They are basically being called on their bluffs, and losing.

2/9/2010 4:31:47 PM

whatever helps you sleep at night.



More savings on the way. Senate just released a 80 Billion dollar "jobs bill", to be voted on this week. (the first 800B did so well). Moron, will get to see the veto pen being used as Obama is cutting the deficit. LOL

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 4:37 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 4:38 PM. Reason : .]

2/9/2010 4:34:36 PM

"Yes! We will limit the deficit!!!!"

*makes entitlement and defense spending immune from deficit cuts*

2/9/2010 4:36:05 PM

^ done at an attempt at compromise.

the right have been trying to attack him as being weak on terror, and putting defense cuts on the table would have only amplified those attacks.

it is the game that is politics.

2/9/2010 4:55:54 PM

oh please. He's extended the war in afghanistan and we're still in iraq. Both of which he campaigned against. Also, he would never touch entitlements because thats his party's bread and butter. Dont put this off as some "oh, heh, politics!" bullshit. Its dishonest as hell.

He and his party have had plenty of time to get shit done but they failed because they have no leadership and they're a bunch of whiny fucking babies. Dont get all butt hurt about the republicans not playing nice when the democrats are fucking incompetent.

I dont care at all about how the republicans would spin this or how the republicans would spin that. The democrats' problem is not the republican party, its the democratic party.

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 5:08 PM. Reason : r]

2/9/2010 5:07:00 PM

^ except that reality is grossly against that analysis.

and he definitely campaigned for expanding the fight in afghanistan and working with pakistan, and decreasing it in IRaq, which is exactly what he did.

[Edited on February 9, 2010 at 5:08 PM. Reason : ]

2/9/2010 5:08:13 PM

ok. so explain why they failed to pass any form of healthcare reform despite having majorities in both houses?

2/9/2010 5:09:10 PM

Because there wasn't enough pork in it to get republicans to vote for it. Because polls of people mid-summer showed majority support for a "public option" that was eroded by right-wing fear mongering about "death panels" and executing senior citizens.Because republicans repeatedly stonewalled all of the revisions starting from the original bill in early summer last year, to the drastically scaled back one from early this year. And because Obama insisted he wouldn't sign a bill that didn't have at least some republican supporters.

2/9/2010 5:12:51 PM

I love the reality that a powerless party somehow prevented Obama from painting his masterpiece. LOL. Really are a party without responsiblity. (some, that is)

2/9/2010 5:13:51 PM

Too, a lot of people ITT are pretending that Lieberman is a Democrat.

2/9/2010 5:26:08 PM

Quote :

"and we're still in iraq"

But we have the GOP's most dreaded word, a "time-table" for bringing our troops home from Iraq next year.




http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/09/poll-majority-want-work-to-continue-on-health-care-reform-bill/?fbid=Qu04vtm3pJL

Quote :

"Poll: Majority want work to continue on health care reform bill Posted: February 9th, 2010 05:15 PM ET Washington (CNN) – Nearly two-thirds of Americans want Congress to keep trying to pass a health care reform bill, according to a new national poll. The ABC News/Washington Post survey released Tuesday afternoon also indicates that the public spreads the blame when it comes to a lack of bipartisanship in the nation's capital. Fifty-eight percent of people questioned in the poll say that congressional Republicans aren't doing enough to seek compromise with President Barack Obama on important issues, with 44 percent feeling that Obama is doing too little to forge compromise with the GOP. The survey indicates that 56 percent of independent voters say congressional Republicans aren't doing enough to try and work with the president and Democrats in Congress. Half of independents see the president as too unwilling to compromise and 28 percent feel both parties are not doing enough when it comes to bipartisanship. According to the poll, 63 percent of Americans think federal lawmakers should keep trying to pass a comprehensive health care reform plan, including 88 percent of Democrats questioned, 56 percent of independents and 42 percent of Republicans. Fifty-five percent of Republicans feel Congress should give up on health care reform."

Gridlock may have been good politics for a year, but the GOP are already starting to take their lumps for it, and with no super-majority to blame it on & a president going out of his way to do Q&A with them & bipartisan meetings, they are going to take serious hits if they keep up the whole party of no thing.

2/9/2010 5:45:08 PM

Quote :

"They've not stated this in any certain terms."

The hell they haven't. They've said specifically that they want to start over from scratch and start working on a new bill together. Sounds pretty "certain" to me.

Quote :

"What it absolutely doesn't have is "solutions." A solution solves a problem."

in that case, the Democrats sure as hell don't have any solutions

2/9/2010 6:20:29 PM

^yep. Its even in the link I posted earlier.

Supplanter, his polling is back down. But print that one out you seem to get so much comfort out of it.

People want "reform" but didnt like the bill, the majority opposed it. And yes the dems are marginally more popular NOW, but look at the trend from last year. The repubs are on the rise. And before you get SO defensive about that, I think its just a backlash against the establishment, not necessarily politics. People feel we are STILL going in the wrong direction and want change. O is a VERY likeable guy and will prob win reelection, but the dems are going to get hit in november. imo

2/9/2010 6:27:33 PM

Quote :

"They've said specifically that they want to start over from scratch "

I don't think the American public really wants another year or more of this fighting and delayed health care reform.

2/9/2010 7:36:03 PM

oh, so then we should just push forward with something horribly misconceived that had absolutely no input allowed from the other side, in order to save time, right?

2/9/2010 8:05:50 PM

There is a middle ground between starting over and a bill that only has democratic ideas. And in general someone can't opt out of a group project and then complain the content they wanted to see wasn't included. The group leader is actively trying to include everyone, he's reached out to them with the Q&A and now with this, it is their chance to influence it before the House & Senate bills are edited into 1.

2/9/2010 8:47:43 PM

so, again, we go and "edit" a MASSIVE, 2700 page bill that the 'pubs had no input on in the first place, and that's the "middle ground?" come on. you know better than this

2/9/2010 8:54:07 PM

The Democrats have the presidency and a majority in both houses.

They've already passed the bill in both houses, and simply need to pass the conference bill.

They could pass it via reconciliation.



Starting over again is not the middle ground. Starting over is a delay tactic. Such tactics have worked wonderfully for the GOP thus far.

2/9/2010 9:43:07 PM

Quote :

"Starting over again is not the middle ground. Starting over is a delay tactic. Such tactics have worked wonderfully for the GOP thus far. "

Exactly.

But thus far, they haven’t had to defend their delays to the president, in front of cameras. Their song is going to have to change, if they can’t explain why they don’t want to talk to the president, but also keep delaying.

2/9/2010 10:01:49 PM

^ I guess this quote belonged here:

From the NY Times, June 23, 2005:

Mr. Bush has reacted by railing against Democrats for obstruction — as if Democrats are duty-bound to breathe life into his agenda and, even sillier, as if opposing a plan that the people do not want is an illegitimate tactic for an opposition party.

2/9/2010 10:45:21 PM