Before I had to drive back to my college campus after spending my weekend at home to visit my dad, I decided to watch 60 Minutes due to the fact that the president was being interviewed by Steve Kroft that evening as well as a 60 Minutes special about the life and times of Ted Kennedy. Going into the interview, I was expecting him to use the same "health insurance reform" semantics that kinda annoy me, but it was better than that....
More below the fold.
President Obama was asked questions about why reform was necessary. He repeated to Steve Kroft that he is absolutely confident that reform will pass this year that lowers the cost curve and benefit the people. He did not mention the public option, but he called the bill "health [deep breath] care reform." I know this may not seem like much, but the fact that he is backing away from the annoyingly ambiguous-sounding "health insurance reform" mantra regenerates some of my confidence.
(He mentioned the government-run public option at his Minneapolis rally to massive cheers and applause: http://www.dailykos.com/... )
When asked what would he do if the bill turned out to be bad, unhelpful, and wasteful, the president said that he will own the consequences. He was then asked about Joe Wilson's interjection last Wednesday and whether he should be rebuked on the House floor, the president laughed and then dodged answering that, basically implying that he has no comment about whether or not he should be censured (which makes sense considering the president doesn't need anymore pointless distractions).
The rest of the interview involved the president explaining the bailout of the banks and car companies after Steve Kroft pressed him on those issues. He explained the increased accountability and oversight he initiated for the remaining half of the bailout that Bush hadn't used and that the need to reform the system.
Probably one of the most positive parts of the interview was when the president talked about how an aide told him over the summer: "I've been working in this town for years and I know they will declare health care reform at least four times before it gets to your desk."
He also addressed the faults MSM by saying how over the summer, the media loved to focus on the loudest and least civil parts of the health care debate (i.e. the citizens of Beckistan).
Basically, I derived that he may now be taking reform more specifically. The Baucus plan has mandates and a co-op, but will not reduce the cost curve (and it is a dumb joke). The HELP bill (read this article to see the proof: http://www.dailykos.com/... ) and the house bills, on the other hand, do. The fact that president stressed the need to reduce the cost curve indicates that he supports reform ONLY if it lowers costs, improves care, and grants coverage to those that have none or have little is a good indicator that he has a definite view on what reform entails. It sounds like he is drawing a line in the sand on those three major points.
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Still, the progressive movement needs to step up our power and speak out for real reform. The Congressional Progressive Caucus is planning to recharge their clout in the House of Representatives and protect the bill from further gutting and make sure that the final bill is the best possible. As for the rest of us, we all need to call our senators and congresscritters. We also need to rally. The September 13th rally drew mere hundreds, but everyone who went was very civil and kind: http://www.dailykos.com/... ) Now, if only we could keep our rally efforts on track, we can make sure that we have fair representation.
Here, you will find a diary about an upcoming D.C. rally (rec this diary up!): http://www.dailykos.com/...
Remember to call/email Congress!
The WH email forms and other contact info may be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/...