Posted on 02/03/2010 6:32:12 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Senate Democrats held back from asking President Barack Obama about healthcare reform during a carefully scripted question-and-answer session in front of television cameras.
With the cameras rolling, a group of senators selected in advance by the Democratic leadership asked questions about such topics as partisan gridlock and GOP obstruction.
But once the president left and reporters were escorted out of the room, senators pressed White House officials about healthcare reform, according to those at the meeting.
Democrats expressed their frustration with the lack of a clear plan for passing healthcare reform, according to one person in the room.
One Democratic senator even grew heated in his remarks, according to the source.
“It wasn’t a discussion about how to get from Point A to Point B; it was a discussion about the lack of a plan to get from Point A to Point B,” said a person who attended the meeting. “Many of the members were frustrated, but one person really expressed his frustration.”
Senators did not want to press Obama on healthcare reform in front of television cameras for fear of putting him in an awkward spot.
“There was a vigorous discussion about that afterward with some of his top advisers and others,” Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) said regarding the healthcare discussion.
“I think people were probably aware that there was no easy answer and this is being broadcast on live national television and didn’t want to put him on the spot,” Bayh said.
Democratic leaders planned their question time with Obama well in advance, discussing during a meeting earlier in the week who would get to ask questions.
“In the leadership meeting we talked about it,” said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), who was called on for a question and is among the most endangered Democratic senators up for reelection this year. “I think the majority leader did take a list early on.”
Obama met with the senators at a Democratic retreat held Wednesday at the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. He took several questions from lawmakers facing tough reelections, such as Sens. Lincoln, Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).
During his introductory remarks, the president urged lawmakers not to give up on healthcare reform.
“And so as we think about moving forward, I hope we don’t lose sight of why we’re here. We’ve got to finish the job on healthcare,” Obama said.
But lawmakers said after the meeting that White House officials did not provide any clear roadmap.
Democratic leaders have discussed a complicated plan that would have the Senate use special budgetary rules known as reconciliation to pass changes to the healthcare legislation — which the chamber passed last year — with only 51 votes.
The auxiliary bill would solve an impasse with House Democrats, who have refused to pass the Senate healthcare bill without substantial changes.
But some Democrats in the Senate have balked at using reconciliation rules to pass healthcare reform.
“I’m not for using reconciliation for healthcare — I’m just not.” said Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.). “If we couldn’t get a bill through the Congress that had broad support, I said we shouldn’t have a bill.”
Another Democratic senator said that using reconciliation to pass healthcare reform in the next few months would be very difficult and that the best solution is for the House to pass the Senate bill.
During their televised time with the president, Democrats chose to focus on other issues.
Lincoln asked Obama if he would be willing to push back against liberals and “look for that common ground that we need to work with Republicans.”
Obama said he would attempt to convince his party’s left wing to take a less ideological approach to economic challenges.
“We’ve got to make sure that our party understands that, like it or not, we have to have a financial system that is healthy and functioning, so we can’t be demonizing every bank out there,” Obama said. “We’ve got to be the party of business, small business and large business, because they produce jobs.”
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) asked about retooling the nation’s manufacturing sector to become a world leader in clean- and renewable-energy technology.
Obama noted that China threatened to eclipse the U.S. in clean-energy expertise.
“I continue to believe, and I’m not alone in this, that the country that figures out most rapidly new forms of energy and can commercialize new ideas is going to lead the 21st-century economy,” Obama said to applause. “I think that is our growth model.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Obama was not to blame for the setbacks Democrats suffered on healthcare reform and in the Massachusetts special election last month, which cost the party its filibuster-proof Senate majority.
Baucus said the backlash of voters in Massachusetts, which elected a Republican to the Senate for the first time in more than three decades, was due to the fact that “people are financially in tough shape.”
.....Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said Obama was not to blame for the setbacks Democrats suffered on healthcare reform and in the Massachusetts special election last month....Baucus said the backlash of voters in Massachusetts, which elected a Republican to the Senate for the first time in more than three decades, was due to the fact that “people are financially in tough shape.”.....
BALDERDASH!!!!
.....Rat puppets,brownshirts who will pay dearly. Remain silent and forever stand alone. Pussies.
Is there anything this Administration does that *isn’t* a photo-op?!
They dare not chance even the One's own party apparatchiks asking where are the emperor's clothes.
“Is there anything this Administration does that *isn’t* a photo-op?!”
If so, I haven’t seen it yet.
I can’t wait for the campaigns to start. My Congresscritter is unopposed, but I will be very happy to work wherever I can for the GOP.
The real joy will be working to give Webb the boot in the Senate elections in a couple of years.
Just think! Two years to lay the groundwork to terminate the tenure of Webb.
*Yeah, I know. Webb has been siding with the GOP lately, but hey, the guy changes his party affinity like Oprah changes her weight.
He’s gotta go! Pretending you think like a Virginian won’t cut it.
“We’ve got to make sure that our party understands that, like it or not, we have to have a financial system that is healthy and functioning...
Like it or not...what's not to like, Bammy? Unless you are a traitor that is...
He's a total figurehead. Arrogant, self-absorbed, vindictive to criticism, and child like.
Keep backing your socialist POTUS, Democrats. And.....you will all go down with him. If any of you had any brains at all, you would broom this Potus Barack Hussein Obama via forcing his resignation or impeaching him. Can’t you fools see this anti-American POTUS is imploding right in front of you? He has lost all sense of judgement and sanity, just like someone else I know that used to reside and rule in a country called Germany, or Italy, or Russia, or China, etc., etc.
No sheet Sherlock....your DemRats have controlled congress since 2006. We've been Botchus up to the Max since then. BTW Max--your healthscare plan SUCKS too---just like you!
Here’s the low down, come November your all out! So all of this lip flapping is like the teacher in charlie browns special blah blah blah blah blah blah
Yes, drunken parties at the White House about 3-4 times a week.
“This charade and Con must be exposed harder than Watergate. The public needs
to understand that this paper tiger admin is taking everyone for a ride.
Lie after Lie after Lie.”
I totally agree, especially on the necessity part. The remaining question is “How?” given Corporate Media’s aiding and abetting treason on multiple fronts.
“We’ve got to finish the job on healthcare,” Obama said.
Mr. Putative President:
If you think you’ve been `bitch-slapped’ over health care, try passing “comprehensive immigration reform.”
Still bitterly clinging to our guns and religion, we remain, yours truly, locked and loaded.
Sincerely,
At least half the country (the good half)
Partisan gridlock?, by the Democrats.
GOP obstruction?, I wish...
A year of a Filibuster Proof Democrat Senate Majority, a formidable Democrat House Majority and a Hopey Dopey Changey Democrat President running the show.
Darn those rascally Republicans...
Yes, I saw that post here.
Given this report, and Zer0's demonstrated lack of experience, knowledge, and compherehencion, one must ask “Who is running this charade?”
Well, We have talk radio and Fox. There’s no way to make the MSM tell the truth.
In the meantime over at the house
US Democrats Show Deep-Seated Unease With Obama Budget Plan
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