For those who wanted to hear President Obama chart a clear roadmap to getting healthcare reform finished, last night would disappoint.
As temperatures cool, I want everyone to take another look at the plan we’ve proposed. There’s a reason why many doctors, nurses, and health care experts who know our system best consider this approach a vast improvement over the status quo. But if anyone from either party has a better approach that will bring down premiums, bring down the deficit, cover the uninsured, strengthen Medicare for seniors, and stop insurance company abuses, let me know. Here’s what I ask of Congress, though: Do not walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close. Let us find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.
Obama again talked about ending pre-existing conditions, and essentially endorsed the current approach, signaling that he doesn't want Congress to scale down their efforts. While it's not the slap upside the head many wanted to see him deliver to Congress, two Senators seemed to have gotten the message when Obama got to the gridlock part of his speech:
Neither man chuckled, however, when Obama challenged the conceit that "our political system is too gridlocked, and we should just put things on hold for a while." Nelson steepled his fingers, while Lieberman looked away, rubbing his face. "How long should we wait?" Obama asked. "How long should America put its future on hold?" While the vast majority of Democrats applauded, Nelson's hands were in his lap and Lieberman's were clasped firmly together. Later, while Obama pushed for final passage of a unified health reform bill, Nelson popped a piece of gum into his mouth and started to chew.
While Nelson and Lieberman were chastised, Pelosi came away from the speech energized. At a press conference this morning, she claimed momentum and is pushing foward.
“I think that the President’s, not only his appeal to pass it but his explanation to the American people as to what the possibilities were was a very powerful statement that will be helpful to us,” Pelosi said.
Also interesting: Asked whether Senate leaders had signaled that they could pass through the Senate a reconciliation fix to the upper chamber’s bill, she demurred, saying only that conversations were ongoing.
Best of all, a striking quote from Pelosi underscoring her determination to get health care done:
“You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence. If the fence is too high, we’ll pole vault in. If that doesn’t work, we’ll parachute in. But we’re going to get health care reform passed for the American people.”
Pelosi's full steam ahead approach has yet to inject the Senate with a similar sense of determination. She didn't get a direct assist from Obama last night. He's apparently not going to be the stern parent that Congress apparently needs to get their butt in gear. But he did give them this reminder, that they will hopefully take to heart:
"Democrats, I remind you we still have the largest majority in decades, and the people expect us to solve problems, not run for the hills."