Obama Delivers

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It's impossible to say with certainty whether President Obama's speech on health care reform last night will have the intended impact. Will intra-party differences between Democrats be resolved? Will public attitudes shift back in the White House's direction? Did the speech help reframe the debate? We don't yet know. We do know, however, that the president did exactly what he needed to do, and delivered what was probably the best speech of his presidency.

Under the circumstances, it's safe to assume Obama didn't want to have to deliver this speech at all. Remember, the White House wanted the House and Senate to pass their respective bills in June. The president would have been just as happy if a national address before a joint session of Congress was entirely unnecessary.

But the summer was unkind to reform. As Obama explained last night, "Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics.... Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned."

So, the president set the record straight, and delivered on some specific benchmarks.

* Centrist: In reality, Democratic reform proposals are poised to be the biggest progressive victory on domestic policy in four decades, but last night, Obama deftly positioned his vision of reform as a centrist, pragmatic, middle-of-the-road approach. The president specifically rejected a "radical shift" that would "disrupt the health care most people currently have... I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn't, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch."

* Defining reform: What's this initiative all about? Obama spelled it out in 39 words: "It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don't. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government."

* Defending government: The right has spent most of the year convincing the nation that anything related to government is, by definition, evil. I was delighted to see the president make the opposite case: "Our ability to stand in other people's shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand. A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise."

* Explainer in Chief: I was glad to see Obama talk about mandates and the public option, but more important, I was thrilled to hear him explain them. These can be complicated concepts, and the president made the case clearly.

* Moral case: One area of criticism of late is that the White House hasn't made the moral case for reform. Last night, Obama did just that, quoting Ted Kennedy: "What we face is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country." It was the start of a stirring last act.

* Historical context: The president was very effective in explaining that right-wing hysterics were wrong on Social Security, and wrong again on Medicare. But in the process, he wasn't just dismissing the Tea Baggers, he was connecting his presidency to the progressive legacy.

Towards the very end of the speech, Obama struck a note of American optimism: "I still believe we can act even when it's hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history's test."

The phrase wasn't just about reform; it was about encouraging Americans to have faith in what's possible, even in the face of trying circumstances. It was, in a way, a subtle request -- we elected him to lead, he sees a path ahead, and with patience, he'll try to take us where we need to go.

Americans, in other words, need to "still believe" in his presidency, too. After hearing his vision last night, I think he's earned it.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The President did an excellent job last night to make a very compelling case for the need of health care reform. He took on those that have but one irresponsible goal in mind - keeping the status quo - namely, the liars in the GOP and the scare tacticians in the health insurance industry.

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

The news over here broadcasted the speech and I had goose bumps all over. The critics and political experts over here loved it. I wish we had a candidate like Obama for the upcoming elections. That is actually what my Grandma said the other day. Bless her little heart.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

It was funny how he had the insurance agencies by his side in the beginning in the Rose Garden. How quickly his mind changes when he can create a villain and a victim. Course that was before 14.5 million more joined the rest of the uninsured due to Obama's economy.

Its also funny how every speech he gives is "soooo much better" than the last. Its the "best of his presidency".

[Joseph & Ana 0]

The news over here broadcasted the speech and I had goose bumps all over. The critics and political experts over here loved it. I wish we had a candidate like Obama for the upcoming elections. That is actually what my Grandma said the other day. Bless her little heart.

So you're saying you had a tingle going up your leg like Chris Matthews repressed gay love for Obama?

[nowhereman 1]

I didn't watch the speech, but I do think that Wilson's outburst may end up working in Obama's favor.

[sly_wolf 199]

Some folks just can't handle the truth.

[Ban Hammer 13,722]

if obama delivers, i'll take an extra large deep dish with pepperoni, jalapenas, and pineapple.

[nowhereman 1]

Some folks just can't handle the truth.

Here's the truth:

As for the claim that Obama is lying about covering illegal immigrants the truth is that H.R. 3200: Sec 246 states NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. However a number of illegal immigrants fall through the cracks (i.e. enforcement is flawed) so some end up getting health coverage. This is a separate issue and claiming that Obama's plan covers illegal immigrants is simply an untrue statement

[Joseph & Ana 0]

I didn't watch the speech, but I do think that Wilson's outburst may end up working in Obama's favor.

This I agree with.

[sly_wolf 199]

Some folks just can't handle the truth.

Here's the truth:

As for the claim that Obama is lying about covering illegal immigrants the truth is that H.R. 3200: Sec 246 states NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. However a number of illegal immigrants fall through the cracks (i.e. enforcement is flawed) so some end up getting health coverage. This is a separate issue and claiming that Obama's plan covers illegal immigrants is simply an untrue statement

I agree completely. Some people just can't handle the fact that Obama might be trying to tell the truth. They have gotten used to being led down the path of lies from other players.

[Joseph & Ana 0]

Some folks just can't handle the truth.

Here's the truth:

As for the claim that Obama is lying about covering illegal immigrants the truth is that H.R. 3200: Sec 246 states NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS. Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. However a number of illegal immigrants fall through the cracks (i.e. enforcement is flawed) so some end up getting health coverage. This is a separate issue and claiming that Obama's plan covers illegal immigrants is simply an untrue statement

I agree completely. Some people just can't handle the fact that Obama might be trying to tell the truth. They have gotten used to being led down the path of lies from other players.

This is mainly because when he "tries" to tell the truth it usually ends up being a lie. Thats all.

"try not. Do."

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

The news over here broadcasted the speech and I had goose bumps all over. The critics and political experts over here loved it. I wish we had a candidate like Obama for the upcoming elections. That is actually what my Grandma said the other day. Bless her little heart.

So you're saying you had a tingle going up your leg like Chris Matthews repressed gay love for Obama?

It was nothing compared to the tingle I get when I see your ghey avatar, with the hearts and all.

[pedroh 21]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It was funny how he had the insurance agencies by his side in the beginning in the Rose Garden. How quickly his mind changes when he can create a villain and a victim. Course that was before 14.5 million more joined the rest of the uninsured due to Obama's economy these same insurance companies started spending hundreds of millions of dollars to spread mis-information and flat-out lies to protect the status quo.

There, fixed that for you.