Sen. Conrad backpedals on Rahm Emanuel Remark

[HopeOverFear]

Yesterday, we were rightfully freaking out about a report indicating that Rahm Emanuel was willing to jettison the public option in lieu of a compromised healthcare bill. Apparently Rahm didn't mean what Conrad thought he meant:

Conrad says Emanuel was speaking in reference to the need to overhaul the health care system as a whole — to forge compromise and get a bill to the president’s desk. It was in no way a comment on the president’s willingness to do away with a public option.

Sigh of relief for now.

But it doesn't hurt to keep the White House on your speed dial. The president wants to be pushed on this. Also, go here and tell the president about your health insurance nightmare.

[Thrill]

1. Listening to Obama. It doesn't sound like hes going to give up the Public Option

.

[sandnsea]

2. No DU was not "rightly" freaking out

DU was stupidly freaking out and seeking out any reason to bash Obama with no regard to the numerous times the man has stood firmly for the public option.

If people spent half the time fighting for the President as they do "freaking out" about stuff he didn't even say, the change everybody wants to see would happen a whole lot quicker.

[phleshdef]

3. We ALL need to realize that Pres. Obama is NOT the enemy here and is actually on our side.

He WANTS a public option. Its up to the Congress to allow him to provide it. Its that simple. People can bitch and moan all day about how he needs to lead and do more and all that. The fact is, he is leading as much as is realistically possible. Contrary to the way the Bush administration handled things, the President is NOT all powerful. And if he gets a bill that improves healthcare without a public option included, he pretty much still has to sign it if he wants to continue to get anything else done afterwards. People expect way too much out of one man and its really unfair.

[CakeGrrl]

4. Yep, knee-jerk-itis. And this thread will probably remain very, very quiet.

Weird when it feels like Obama has more outright detractors on this board, judging from the tone of the OPs that are opened and heavily rec'd.

[dflprincess]

5. Assuming what Conrad is saying now is the truth

neither he nor Emanuel inspire much confidence.

[Jennicut]

6. Eh, its the internets. People write thoughts down quickly instead of thinking them

through long term. Just a faster paced, more impatient society in general.

[HopeOverFear]

7. Yep

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Here's an idea, don't freak out every time a Senator says something

Senators are people too. Sometimes they say things that don't reflect official policy or official plans, but just reflect their own personal thoughts or musings.

[Phx_Dem]

9. Wow, DUers freaking out about nothing. That's shocking.