Obama Says Reform Can’t Come Soon Enough For America, OK With No August Vote
President Obama struck back at critics who say his push for reform is moving too quickly by saying "it's not soon enough for the American people," The Associated Press reports.
Obama made his comments in suburban Cleveland at a high school gym after touring a clinic. "Starting with a news conference Wednesday in Washington, Obama increasingly is pitching his remarks directly to American voters, hoping they will pressure reluctant lawmakers. He ratcheted up the rhetoric at the town hall forum here, likening the bid to overhaul health care to the manned missions to the moon 40 years ago."
Obama said that the reform will give people more security in their own plans if they have them by taking insurance companies out of the care decision-making process and by outlawing insurers denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions.
"For all his efforts, which have included public statements each weekday for the past few weeks, Republican lawmakers and other critics sense momentum building against Obama's plan. They particularly cite nonpartisan cost projections that have not predicted the savings the White House promises" (Babington, 7/23).
Politico: "The event marked a stark contrast from Obama's appearance Wednesday night in the East Room, where the president exhibited about as much passion for health care reform as the wooden doors behind him. Obama spent a substantial chunk of time in his opening remarks both on the defensive and in attack mode. On health care reform, he said "We have forged a consensus that has never before been reached in the history of this country," and he repeated his refrain that the country has 'never been closer' to it." (Lee, 7/23).
Reuters: "'I want the bill to get out of the committees,' Obama (said). 'I want it done by the end of this year.' If the bills don't pass by August, he said, 'that's OK. I just want people to keep on working'" (7/23).