'GMA' Obama Exclusive: 'We Intend to Get Something Done'

[BlueJessamine]

Source: ABC News

In his highly anticipated address to Congress today, President Obama told ABC News that he would provide a much more detailed health care plan, saying that while he was still open to ideas, he is determined to get health care reform passed this year.

"So, the intent of the speech on is to, A, make sure that the American people are clear exactly what it is that we are proposing," Obama told "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts in an exclusive interview. " B, to make sure that Democrats and Republicans understand that I'm open to new ideas, that we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing, but we do intend to get something done this year."

snip

"I think there are some in the Republican Party who made a strategic decision that we can duplicate what happened in 1993, '94," Obama said, referring to former President Clinton's failed attempt at health care reform and the Republicans winning back control over Congress soon thereafter. "I think that folks are dusting off that old playbook."

snip

On A Public Option in Health Care Reform

When asked if after his speech the public would know if he would sign a health care reform bill without a public option, Obama avoided answering the question directly.

"Well, I think what the country is going to know is exactly what I think will solve our health care crisis. They will have a lot of clarity about what I think is the best way to move forward," Obama said. "I'm not going to give you a preview of it before tonight. I want everybody to tune in."






Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-exclusive-president-obama-health-care-reform/Story?id=8521385&page=1

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snip

But on Monday, Obama delivered a speech to the AFL-CIO where he voiced his support for a public option.

"I continue to believe that a public option within the basket of insurance choices would help improve quality and bring down costs," Obama said.

[OwnedByFerrets]

1. It "would" be made clear with ONE statement. Medicare for ALL

That wont happen because the corporate masters wouldnt be happy.

[joeycola]

5. Bingo

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Tonight's Speech: My Prediction

1. Strong rhetoric about the need to improve the situation
2. No commitment to anything concrete

This will be followed by a five-month cooling period to give us "left of the left" a chance to chill and get used to the capitulation. At the beginning of next year, a bill will be signed that has neither a public option nor a meaningful trigger, but will include:

a. A requirement that all Americans purchase insurance
b. Unenforceable provisions that require insurers to "behave"

O Dr. Dean! Where art thou?

[NBachers]

3. I'll be at work. Does anyone know where I can find a video later?

[KoKo]

6. Usually posted here in DU Videos and also on You Tube...

Won't be hard to find.

[joeycola]

4. Obama did not come out and say: I will endorse the Public option as was

reported in a recent thread here.

[waldenaut]

7. "...we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing..."

Well, that's really your whole problem, isn't it?

If ever there was a time and a cause to be 'rigid and ideological' it's now --

-- about this!

Such subtle backhandedness against the clear, do-right thing*.

*Clear, do-right thing = true health care reform with robust public option

:puffpiece:

[GeorgeGist]

8. Wishy!

Washy!

Done!

Repeat!

[Winterblues]

9. A, make sure that the American people are clear exactly what it is that we are proposing,"

What we are proposing is that we will accept whatever Republicans want just as long as we can pass something.. It really does not matter what is in the Bill as long as it mentions Health Insurance Reform. We can't be clear because we are still open to any changes.... We want Americans to be perfectly clear about this...