Obama Ribs GOP: Obamacare Didn't Bring 'Death Panels, Doom'

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama ribbed Republican efforts to undermine Obamacare and their failure to offer a serious alternative on Wednesday from the White House.

"I mean we have been promised a lot of things these past five years that didn't turn out to be the case —death panels, doom, a serious alternative from Republicans in Congress," Obama said, smirking during a speech highlighting the fifth anniversary of his signature healthcare law. "The budget they introduced last week would literally double the number of uninsured in America."

Obama's comments came a week after Republicans introduced a new House budget that gutted most of Obamacare but did not offer an alternative. Obama conceded part of the reasons Republicans hadn't yet offered an alternative plan was because healthcare policy isn't easy.

"And in their defense, there are two reasons why coming up with an alternative has proven to be difficult," Obama said. "First, it's because the Affordable Care Act pretty much was their plan before I adopted it!"

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/obama-obamacare-gop-doom

[truthisfreedom]

1. They're hopeless.

Rudderless, no ideas, no leaders, and looking more nuts every day.

[Chicago1980]

2. No, Obamacare didn't bring 'Death Panels'

but the republicans trying to defund and repeal it are a different story.

[Motown_Johnny]

14. and those not expanding Medicaid

If the state legislatures that vote down expanding Medicaid is not a death panel I don't know what is.

[underpants]

3. BAZINGA!!

[reflection]

6. Did you say BENGHAZI?

[underpants]

10. :-)

[riqster]

13. BazinGHAZI!!

[erronis]

4. I'm going to miss this guy in the Oval Office

Having been around through 11 of the presidents (and meeting 3 of them), I don't think there has been one that has the intelligence, wit, humor, charm, etc./etc. of this one.

I love his slight smile (might be a smirk) when he makes an aside that the right side of the aisle won't even understand.

I'm of course disappointed that all of that "Change" was not possible, but I understand how the utter intransigence of those people made it difficult. I also believe that history will show the true faces of those losers for what they are.

So, a couple more years of hopes and expectations. And perhaps another 4 or 8. I'm looking forward to the 'publican mud fest in the interim.

[Fritz Walter]

15. I agree, except for one tiny word

I reserve use of the word "smirk" for the all-too-common, arrogant, clueless expression of President Obama's dry-drunk predecessor.

[erronis]

16. Agreed. How about "knowing smile"?

[BumRushDaShow]

5. "the Affordable Care Act pretty much was their plan before I adopted it!"

And there it is in a nutshell. And thanks to the Baucus' and Liebermans blocking a public option, it became this versus Medicare for all (which would eventually have happened once you had a public option).

[jalan48]

7. It is interesting how a Republican idea became 'radical, socialist, liberal' policy.

[stillwaiting]

9. The Media not only allowed that but made it so.

Frightening how powerful the Media is.

It's become an effective tool for dividing us by allowing massive bullshit and propaganda to go unchallenged instead of informing us with facts.

[CANDO]

19. It is also interesting....

How a certain few(actually quite a few) here at DU defend the Republican ACA as the be all and end all of healthcare plans in America. It entrenches the greedy bastard insurance companies for all time, and they are apparently just fine with it. It's been a net good, but at the expense of a truly revolutionary change. I know I'm sick and tired of never ending medical bills for just going to an urgent care facility. And I actually have a better plan than a lot of people.

[jalan48]

20. How True

Single payer was never given a chance. What did it require of Obama to at least let the issue be debated? Even if it lost the debate would have served to educate the public about the benefits of such an option. The country continues to move to the right because the left is forced to adopt former Republican ideas as the new liberal.

[world wide wally]

8. I wouldn't doubt if the Republican version did include death panels...

For nonpayment of course.

[kairos12]

11. Don't baggers shout "let them die" when asked about people without health insurance?

[world wide wally]

17. Wouldn't that apply to Cruz then?

[Paladin]

12. No Obamacare death panels, just in time for Ted Cruz to utilize it.

Insert your own punch line.......

[tanyev]

18. Heh.

[LiberalLovinLug]

21. We have the replacement for Jon Stewart!

"I mean we have been promised a lot of things these past five years that didn't turn out to be the case —death panels, doom, ........a serious alternative from Republicans in Congress"