Obama Takes On Health Care Critics (Who Try to "Scare & Mislead the American People")

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Obama takes on health care critics

By PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writer – 26 mins ago

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Hoping to blunt the momentum of critics, President Barack Obama went on the offensive in support of his health care plan Tuesday, urging the country not to listen to those who seek to "scare and mislead the American people."

- snip -

"Where we disagree, let's disagree over things that are real, not these wild misrepresentations that don't bear any resemblance to anything that's actually being proposed," Obama said, trying to wrest back control over a debate at the core of his political agenda.

Addressing a town hall in New Hampshire, Obama also flayed the insurance industry in an attempt to attract a vital — and skeptical — audience: the tens of millions of people who already have health insurance and are just fine with the care they get. He said the overhaul is essential to them, too, contending it is the way to keep control in their hands. "Your health insurance will be there for you when it counts, not just when you're paying premiums," Obama said to applause at a local high school.

Obama said "after all the chatter and shouting and the noise," Americans will soon have more and cheaper options for health care. "I don't think government bureaucrats should be meddling. But I also don't think insurance company bureaucrats should be meddling," he said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090811/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_health_care_overhaul

---

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1153369020090811

Amid protests, Obama assails insurance companies

Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:42pm EDT

By Matt Spetalnick and Matthew Bigg

PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire (Reuters) - President Barack Obama assailed insurance companies on Tuesday as he sought to counter an onslaught of conservative opposition to a U.S. healthcare overhaul at a town hall meeting that drew protests outside.

Obama opened his speech by saying Americans are too often "held hostage" by insurance companies that deny or drop their coverage or charge fees they cannot afford. "I believe it is wrong; it is bankrupting families and businesses and that is why we're going to pass health insurance reform in 2009," Obama said.

Outside the event at a New Hampshire high school, about a thousand people gathered on the road leading to the school.

Healthcare overhaul advocates on one side of the street chanted "Yes, we can!" and waved signs saying, "Insurance companies are enemies of change" and "All Americans deserve affordable healthcare."

[global1]

1. So You Tell Me - Whose Town Hall Will Get More Airplay Today.......

President Obama's or Senator Specter's?

[babylonsister]

3. Supposedly, faux didn't even show President Obama's, so

that's a tough question.

[droidamus2]

6. Well...

I know that I tuned into CNN following Obama's townhall and they were only showing clips from the Specter townhall and then making comments about Obama's based on that. The media no longer covers the news they decide what the story is, the rancor of those against health care reform, and that is all they cover. If a particular event doesn't feed that story line they will just retread one that does. So to answer your question everyting, especially the Specter townhall, will be covered instead of Obama's explanations.

[Ocotillo]

8. I think Obama's UPS Fedex comments

will get plenty of airtime!

[liberal N proud]

9. Which will provide more sensationalism?

[liberal N proud]

10. Which will provide more sensationalism?

[musiclawyer]

2. Either Obama is playing chess

while his opponents play checkers or he's blowing it. I honestly don't know. and that's what's frustrating.....
IMO the thing to do is just say flat out nothing gets signed unless there' a public option, and then give clear , concise reasons why it's necessary. Let ther opponents think they have things gummed up. Then at the same time in the background, prepare the table for a parliamentary move....

[ddeclue]

4. He needs to call them out in clear terms: liars, thugs, hooligans, creeps, bastards, scum.

People need to hear some one syllable descriptions.

[BOSSHOG]

5. He certainly won't lose their vote

[JayMusgrove]

7. Thanks! That AP article is remarkably positive (for a change)

The Reuters article was reasonable, too, although not clear about Obama's ratings dropping, nor about the real reason for opposition among Republicans.

I watched the entire thing, and there was NOTHING close to a single screaming protestor inside.

[Wednesdays]

11. K&R

:kick:

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[and-justice-for-all]

13. He needs to go more for the throat and let'em have it!! nt