President's Town Hall On Health Care Draws Cheers, But Not Opposing Views

IBD Editorials ^ | August 11, 2009 | SEAN HIGGINS

[Kaslin]

President Obama took the stage in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday in the hopes of turning around a health care debate that has spun out of Democrats' comfort zone.

President Obama took the stage in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday in the hopes of turning around a health care debate that has spun out of Democrats' comfort zone.

But inside the high school where the town hall-style event was held, questions sidestepped the sharpest criticisms of the president's health reform plans. Emotions were calm next to the heated exchanges at town hall sessions in other cities, or even outside the school, and Obama seemed to raise no new points to allay skeptics' concerns.

Polls show growing unease on his health care plan. Democratic lawmakers trying to sell the public on its virtues have met with contentious and even hostile crowds. The events have further dimmed hopes for the reform bill this fall.

Yet Obama encountered a friendly, cheering crowd, as if at a campaign stop. While there were crowds of protesters outside, few seemed to make it inside.

He spoke for almost 20 minutes before questions. After several friendly questions, he urged people with tougher ones to step up.

"I don't want people thinking I just have a bunch of plants" in the audience, Obama said. After two more mildly skeptical questions, Obama ended the town hall. He took nine questions in total.

[Kaslin]

[bigbob]

Even O’Bloviator was “opining” that the Obama people screened the attendees to keep the demonstrators out and “maintain respect for the President”. As if he deserved it.

[antidemoncrat]

Maybe you had to have 666 tatooed on your hand or forehead to gain admission to that meeting.

[DuncanWaring]

"I don't want people thinking I just have a bunch of plants"

He did have at least one, though.

[caper gal 1]

I couldn’t get in because when they showed me a photo of Obama and asked if I had a tingle running up my leg I confessed that I didn’t.

Darn.

[DHC-2]

It came off “unreal” ... especially after watching the Spector meeting in the morning (and a big hats off to FOX for interrupting programming and going a solid commercial-free hour... thanks!). But to see that first one, then see Obama’s ...something was going on. Did everybody there drink something grape-flavored before entering? Why does this townhall meeting not get the tough questions? I'm not looking for an answer, I'm making an observation of how “different” this was after the others we are seeing. It didn't seem real. If the same kinds of people were there, but sat there transfixed at “the one” ... we are really in trouble.

[Kaslin]

Yeah and he did a poor job of hiding it

[fightinJAG]

BO continues to say that, through Medicare, “government” is “making health care decisions” now.

Except he NEVER mentions that many seniors provide for themselves by PURCHASING Medicare supplemental insurance. This insurance allows them to get the health care they want/need even if Medicare does not allow it.

Seniors would not have the opportunity to get supplemental insurance under socialized medicine.

[caper gal 1]

Well done! Good research. Thanks for posting. How long before they start shutting down so many of these sites?

[Doctor Don]

The audience was BRAIN DEAD!

[DaveTesla]

The hand picked audience...

[grobdriver]

President Obama took the stage in Portsmouth, N.H.

And that's exactly what it was: An act on a stage.

[chris37]

Pre-selected demorat rent-a-mob audience? I think so.

Accuse others of what you do. That is the Alisnky way, right comrade resident X?

[j_tull]

New Hampshire has failed to Live Free, and Died. That was their wish, it is granted.

[Eaker]

O is an idiot.

[smokingfrog]

[gakrak]

Gosh, do you think he stacked the deck? Union and Acorn thugs only at that meeting. Amen.

[stripes1776]

Yet Obama encountered a friendly, cheering crowd, as if at a campaign stop. While there were crowds of protesters outside, few seemed to make it inside.

Well, well, well. They probably wanted to stay out in the fresh air and get some sunshine.

[jwalsh07]

"Now we may be able to get even more than that," he said. Pelosi and House Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., have signaled they will seek a bigger rebate.

To the stupid Americans who think that Pharmas deal with the devils is somehow a benefit to them, Pharma like government gets it's money from you.