Posted on 09/08/2009 3:57:50 AM PDT by nickcarraway
A "fired-up" President Obama declared that it's finally "time to act" on overhauling the nation's health care system.
"Every debate, at some point, comes to an end. At some point, it's time to decide. At some point, it's time to act," he told labor leaders in Cincinnati on Monday afternoon.
"It's time to act and get this thing done," he insisted.
Obama dusted off his "fired-up, ready-to-go" campaign chant during the speech in hopes of recapturing his mojo and setting the tone for what could be a make-or-break week for his presidency.
Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill Tuesday following a turbulent summer.
Obama and Democrats in his corner were repeatedly attacked by conservatives and constituents angry or confused over plans to revamp the nation's health care system. Republican support evaporated.
The President's poll numbers plummeted.
To wrestle the debate back onto his turf - and on his terms - Obama is delivering a prime-time speech tomorrow to Congress. If his call to action fails to motivate lawmakers, experts say, it could damage him politically.
The President got a boost yesterday from former First Lady Laura Bush, who told CNN she thought Obama was doing a good job. "I think he has got a lot on his plate, and he has tackled a lot to start with, and that has probably made it more difficult," she said.
Bush expressed regret for how polarized U.S. politics has become. "All of us need to do what we can to come together on issues," she said.
Obama's talk to the AFL-CIO served as a passionate preview of what's in store tomorrow night.
"We have never been this close. We've never had such broad agreement on what needs to be done," Obama said.
"And because we're so close to real reform, suddenly the special interests are doing what they always do, which is just try to scare the heck out of people."
"I've got a question for all those folks [opposing health care reform]: What are you going to do?" Obama asked.
"What's your answer? What's your solution?" he added. "And you know what? They don't have one. Their answer is to do nothing."
The President said doing nothing is a prescription for soaring consumer costs and shrinking insurance coverage.
Obama maintains he still stands by one of the most controversial elements of his health care reform proposal - a government insurance option designed to compete with private insurance companies.
"I continue to believe that a public option within that basket of insurance choices will help improve quality and bring down costs," said Obama, although aides have indicated the White House may be willing to compromise.
Coming off a vacation to Martha's Vineyard and a few days at Camp David, the President appeared rested and ready for Washington-style combat.
Obama's speech yesterday was most notable for his rousing, campaign-style rhetoric.
He even ended his remarks with one of his favorite anecdotes from the campaign trail.
As the story goes, a woman from South Carolina livened up a humdrum event by chanting "fired up, ready to go" - a slogan the candidate adopted.
"It just goes to show you how one voice can change a room. And if it can change a room, it can change a city. And if it can change a city, it can change a state. If it can change a state, it can change a nation. If it can change a nation, it can change the world," Obama said to growing cheers. "Your voice can change the world. Your voice will get health care passed."
"Are you fired up?" the President asked the crowd. "Fired up," came the answer.
NY DAILY NEWS = NYT lite
“These allegations about the health care plan are false and I need to get back to throwing folks under the bus, for the American people.”
What he actually said was, “Ack ack, Ack ack ack!”
Jim Lehrer (PBS, Democrat; advocating violence): "Crack their heads. Crack their heads."
"Are you fired up?" the President asked the crowd. "YOU'RE FIRED!" came the answer.
More like "Fed up."
What's the almighty hurry? Whatever plan is passed would not go into effect until 2013!!!
We're acting, AND WE'RE GOING TO GET THINKS DONE!
This clown thinks he was elected King.
A “fired-up” President Obama declared that it’s finally “time to act”
I agree it is time we ACTED and FIRED this asshat..
What is it about the political class we have now that they feel this overwhelming need to “solve” things that don’t even comprehend?
>>> Obama dusted off his “fired-up, ready-to-go” campaign chant <<<
His BS speech is “shovel ready.”
Was he in his Baptist preacher mode?
Fire up the free loaders ...Yes You Can!
Is it too much to ask this arrogant ass for the specifics of this thing?
The left will somehow spin "Barry's moment" into something hip and admirable...
"All your base are...uhm...uhm...errr...uhm..."
..and a chicken in every pot outside of your mud huts. What? We took the pots? Let them eat wilderbeast.
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