First thoughts: Focusing on health care

Posted: Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Focusing on health care: A week after his fiscal responsibility summit, President Obama today holds another summit -- this time on the topic of health care. The format is pretty much the same: Obama delivers opening remarks from the East Room at 1:00 pm ET, participants then attend breakout sessions, and finally the president holds a question hour with beginning at 4:00 pm. Per NBC’s John Yang, the president will tie health care to the economy his opening remarks. "The cost of health care now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes," he is expected to say. "If we want to create jobs and rebuild our economy, then we must address the crushing cost of health care this year, in this Administration. Making investments in reform now, investments that will dramatically lower costs, won't add to our budget deficits in the long-term -- rather, it is one of the best ways to reduce them." By the way, HHS Secretary-designate Kathleen Sebelius won’t be at today’s summit, but Nancy-Ann DeParle will be.

*** The two goals: Today's summit is about a couple of things. The first goal is to show off the idea that this will be an open process. The White House is live-streaming all five of the breakout sessions, allowing C-Span to broadcast at least one of them. What’s more, the live streams will be archived for the public. The other goal of this summit is to make it appear as if all the stakeholders have a say -- so they invited as diverse of a group as they could, including prominent opponents of Clinton's health care plan from the early 1990s.

*** The four health-care horsemen: As for the policy debate itself, the administration’s starting point is Obama's plan from the campaign. But in talking with key White House officials, they realize their best chance at getting something big to pass is to let the plan get written in the Senate (sorry, Mr. Waxman). That means there will be at least four key players. The biggest is Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus; he'll be the guy who probably will end up as the plan's architect. Then there are Sens. Wyden and Bennett, who have a surprisingly popular bipartisan idea that, among other things, proposes shifting the Medicaid burden away from the states (we think we know 50 governors who will LOVE that idea). The fourth big Senate player: Sir Teddy. This is not to say the House won't be involved, but the reality is the Senate is the more difficult lift.

Video: Kennedy honored with knighthood.

*** Party like it's 1993? With today's focus on health care, it's worth noting that the new NBC/WSJ poll doesn't show a huge appetite for an overhaul of health care right now. According to the poll, 49% say they would be willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance, versus 45% who say they'd be unwilling to do this. Yet back in March 1993 -- just as the Clintons were embarking on their health-care drive -- 66% said they'd be willing to pay higher taxes here. And, of course, we know how that effort turned out. This is probably why you're seeing the Obama administration focus on lowering health-care costs than press for universal care. That said, the poll does find that, by a 69%-25% margin, Americans support increased spending on health care.

*** Demonizing Rahm: The Democrats have found their boogeyman in Rush Limbaugh, and now Republicans have found their own in … Rahm Emanuel. That’s right, House Minority Leader John Boehner released a statement yesterday blaming “political operatives” in the White House from diverting attention away from the country’s economic challenges to Rush Limbaugh (even though Limbaugh was in the news because he was the concluding speaker at the same conservative confab Boehner addressed). And on TODAY this morning, Newt Gingrich compared Rahm to Nixon chief of staff H.R. Haldeman.

*** A Fu(gate) good men: Think Team Obama learned not to repeat this Bush administration mistake -- appoint someone to head FEMA with little prior experience in emergency management? Yesterday, Obama named Craig Fugate, director of Florida’s emergency management -- who knows a thing or two about natural disasters -- to lead FEMA. And today, Fugate will appear with Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan at an event in New Orleans to signal the Obama administration’s commitment to rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Fugate is a Republican, and the pick was praised by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and current Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who said in a statement: "Florida's loss will be the nation's gain. Craig is a top-notch individual who has helped Florida through some very severe hurricanes. He set the national model for disaster preparedness and I look forward to his swift confirmation."

Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 89 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 96 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 243 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 607 days

Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Nashville_fan:

Make it appear as if all stakeholders have a say?

Are you saying they don't?

------------------

The Democrats in the country are slowly figuring Obama out. Let's just hope they do so before it's too late.

Josh Sutton, St. Louis (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:10 AM)

The polls on health care seem contradictory. If 69% feel its important and necessary but only 49% are willing to pay for it, it's because people don't understand the affect health care costs has on the economy and their pocketbooks. You can bet the White House will be working on the message just as they did with the stimulus package. It's time the U.S. moved into the 21st century regarding health care.

It's time we have someone in charge of FEMA who understands emergency management, excellent choice. The previous Bush choices were less than average and definitely not qualified.

John Boehner sure has credibility on solving the economic problems, he did so much to help with the stimulus, didn't he? Interesting that he only criticized the White House regarding Limbaugh, and not the republicans who run crawling back to Limbaugh with apologies for having spoken out of turn when they dared to cricize him. Rahm Emanuel is still right to point out that fact--the GOP has no backbone; they won't stand up to Limbaugh out of fear and when they do, they must bow at his feet and say they didn't mean it. That tells me that the GOP agrees with Limbaugh's narrow-minded, intolerant, prejudiced views; not even smart enough to realize that he's using them for selfish purposes and not for the good of "the party".

Off topic but can't MSNBC find another republican besides Pat Buchanan to argue the conservative point. I listened to him rant on Hardball last night and he's already at it this morning. The man sounds like a broken record, a slightly unhinged broken record. I know it's important to present both sides and he represents one but his rants have become a sideshow. He's a sore loser in my book and doesn't like it that today's world requires more than the old GOP philosophy of tax cuts, deregulation. In 2006 and on Nov 4, 2008, the voters rejected the republicans and voted to change direction. Pat seems to miss one point in his rants, President Obama campaigned for health care reform, increasing taxes on those making more than $250,000, increased effort in Afghanistan, energy modernization, etc., and guess what--a large majority voted for it so Pat's view that Obama has shifted sharply left is out of step with reality; the people voted for that shift. He's as clueless as other republicans that Reagonomics was tried and it failed miserably; in fact, the ideology imploded the entire global economy. Life must be tough for him to see that conservative views collapsed the economy. Maybe Pat should take a vacation, a nice long one and give us a rest from his high-pitched screaming.

Jody, Iowa (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:13 AM)

Stop imposing your personal biases on reality. Healthcare must be reformed in order to SAVE us money, not to raise our taxes.

The "high tax" boogeyman is not gonna fly this time, you're gonna have to do some thoughtful analysis.
Nashville_fan

The annual growth rate of government is 3-4 times that of inflation. And you're telling us that a government owned and run health care plan will save us money?

Not Born Yesterday (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:13 AM)

Before Chris Matthews pops a blood vessel, would somebody please tell him the President Obama never promised to end earmarks during the campaign? This is a lie that the corporate media has been spreading furiously. I doubt that Matthews deliberately lied, but he seems to accept anything he reads in the Washington Times as the gospel truth.

Houston (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:15 AM)

I agree with Eric, Salinas, CA. Pat Buchanan is a Republican hack and way past his prime. He should retire and give us all a break. When I see Pat on MSNBC I change the channel to CNN. I pleaded with David Shuster in an E-mail not to have Pat Buchanan on his show. Morning Joe and Hardball seem to hang on his every word. I guess he has a lifetime contract with MSNBC, too bad because there are other smart, young Republicans who could do a better job.

Dottie, Swarthmore, PA (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:16 AM)

"Doesn't anyone else think it's the least bit unusual that a President, and his administration, are waging a coordinated attack on a radio talk show host? Never has a President attacked a member of the media on a personal basis like Obama has. It's Nixonian what Obama is doing. - Len Pasculluie, Omaha, NE "
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Len,

There is no provision in the Constitution that provides special protections to radio talk show hosts.

If Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli, and Crazy Cramer get to open their pie holes everyday and spout lies, then the President of the United States has every right to refute them.

The fact that the "media" is actually a corporate profit center and refuses to create any type of baseline for truth telling in the media only adds to the problem.

"Fairness" in the media apparently means letting both sides of an issue spout their talking points, even if they are filled with demonstrable lies.

The fact that the President of the United States addresses those who lie about him by name is what concerns you? That is actually the saddest part - you have gotten so comfortable with unrebutted lies, that it is the response that offends.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:17 AM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?
Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)

------------------------------------------

To borrow from Hillary Clinton..."It takes a village to have an idiot."

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:18 AM)

In other words, by removing "profit" from the equation, and focusing solely on the "problem," they were able to solve it.

Maybe from this success conservatives will FINALLY learn that universal health care isn't socialism, it's humanitarianism. After all, as someone on the show so aptly pointed out, we're all in this together.

Anna Molly

Chavez is doing the same thing in Venezuela. Chavez is also dealing with food shortages and electical outages in his country on a daily basis. Still think that taking the profit out the equation is a good idea?

RT Collins, Houston (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:21 AM)

Rahm Emmanuel a demon? He does look the part and his behaviors certainly give the Republicans nightmares unlike Rush Limbaugh to generates either laughter or pity except on the far right. Rush does look a lot like pork and is not scary at all. I suppose he is a demon in disguise?

I guess the Democrats win again.

Mike Groshong, McMinnville, Or (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:21 AM)

The Mayor of San Francisco was on Morning Joe this morning explaining how they've been able to provide health care for the uninsured in San Francisco without adding to total expenditures; in fact, they've saved federal dollars. How did they do it? By focusing on providing "care," rather than providing "insurance," they came up with ideas for providing medical services without breaking the bank.

In other words, by removing "profit" from the equation, and focusing solely on the "problem," they were able to solve it.

Maybe from this success conservatives will FINALLY learn that universal health care isn't socialism, it's humanitarianism. After all, as someone on the show so aptly pointed out, we're all in this together.

Anna Molly

So my question is Why does President Obama need an additional 650bn dollars for health care? Also, Mayor Newsom was very precise in his reply when he said "We have made no expenditures from the general taxation fund to pay for this program". And with a little online research it turns out it was financed by employer mandate.

"How do you know a politician is lying? His lips are moving".

Alan, NJ (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:22 AM)

Give us jobs first!! How many has Obama created or saved this week? NONE. Unemployment keeps going up.
Anonymous (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:43 AM)
******

Ah... the reactionaries that don't read the news:

"Still, the tally of initial requests for unemployment benefits fell to 639,000 from the previous week's figure of 670,000" - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29526718/

Oops.

Joblessness went DOWN. Meaning more people are working. And on the TV last night, I saw a job fair where companies were hiring BECAUSE of the stimulus bill. And on the radio this morning, they were talking about how states have gotten the federal money in record time and have started projects that... OMG, CREATED JOBS THIS WEEK.

Wow, it's fun when obvious facts totally obliterate people intent on "hoping the President fails."

Jose Von Hussein - The United States of America (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:22 AM)

*** Demonizing Rahm: The Democrats have found their boogeyman in Rush Limbaugh, and now Republicans have found their own in … Rahm Emanuel. That’s right, House Minority Leader John Boehner released a statement yesterday blaming “political operatives” in the White House from diverting attention away from the country’s economic challenges to Rush Limbaugh (even though Limbaugh was in the news because he was the concluding speaker at the same conservative confab Boehner addressed). And on TODAY this morning, Newt Gingrich compared Rahm to Nixon chief of staff H.R. Haldeman.
==========
Really? I don't recall Democrats tripping over themselves to kiss Emanuel's a$$ after pissing him off. Nor do I recall Emanuel hoping for Obama's failure. It's always the same old song with the Generally Obsolete and Pathetic party. When one of their own attracts too much negative attention, blame the people paying attention. This is the same failed tactic they tried with Silly Sarah. If Lord Limbaugh is merely a diversion, then perhaps Boehner should explain why their entire party is so terrified of him, and why Tim Pawlenty turned ghost white at the mere mention of his name on Rachel Maddow last night.

The truth is that for sheer entertainment, watching the Limbaugh Zombies bow and scrape to their Lord Limbaugh is the best thing to come out of the GOP since Sarah Palin. (And aren't we due for another GIFT from here soon?)

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:23 AM)

actual Obama quote from MSNBC site refering to his "healthcare paln" and forcing Americans to purchase a product from a private company for the stated purpose of making that company more money "a historic commitment to reform that will lead to lower costs and quality, affordable health care for every American." I agree, it WILL lead to lower quality, and I DISAGREE it WILL NOT lead to lower costs. Folks, lower costs = lower profit. You can be sure, if the insuance industry, that bought 19 million dollars worth of Obama's campaign, is happy or satisfied with his proposal IT IS BAD FOR YOU!

welcome to changeville

Ted K, Hyannis, MA (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:23 AM)

Hey Seattle Sue...The Bush's health insurance plan, after they meet their $400.00 deductable per family or $200.00 per individual will pay 80% of the cost, up to a $10,000.00 out of pocket expense. This plan only cost the Bush's $40.00 a week. Also did you know that people in Seattle drink very little coffee?

Ollie (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:28 AM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?

Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)

@@@@@@@@@@

Well clearly in contemporary America, and obviously not white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant either which I think is a good thing.

Mine is Alsatian and Catholic from the 1600's. Is it American?

Mike Groshong, McMinnville Or (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:29 AM)

I will bet anyone a paycheck that the only ones against healthcare for all are the ones with heavily subsidized healthcare already...if you get you insurance through an employer or the government you are the same...you have subsidized healthcare....

Trust me...when your employer dumps you or your inssurance you will find out it is 1200-1600 for a 50 year old man with a family...how many of you rightwingnut chowderheads can afford that each month? hmmmmm?

Rick, NC (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:32 AM)

Wonderful !!!!

Hey market watcher??? What is your beef today????
Nj

What do you think of today Nj? You were saying?

Obama better get his act together, and soon, else that glow in the west won't be a sunset, but will be the mob carrying torches coming to extract him from the White House. And Limbaugh will be leading the way.

Market Watcher

Market Watcher (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:33 AM)

Another day, another big drop in the Market.
Obama and Geithner must have opened their mouths.
When the DJI hits zero, will Obama stop blaming Bush?
And people thought McCain was clueless on the economy......

Obama, One and Done/Atlanta (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:34 AM)

Do like I did. Fire some republicans and watch them change their tune pronto on subsidized health insurance and other "socialist" prograns like unemployment or job retraining. Its fun to watch them squirm as they realize their party really does mean yer on yer own

Truthslayer (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:34 AM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?
Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)
***********
Hmmm, the good old american name "racist whore" suddenly comes to mind

See, two can play that game (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:37 AM)

The Republicans have it all figured out:

Economy in crisis (Reagan) - Cut taxes and defecit spend our way out of it.

Economy is doing good (after Clinton) - Cut taxes and defecit spend our way out of it.

Economy in the tank (after 8 years of Bush cuting taxes and defecit spending) - Cut taxes and cut spending.

You have to hand it to the Republicans as they have it all figured out. Cutting taxes is the answer to everything.

You see, if we just eliminated all taxes on all rich people, the defecit would go away, everyone that needed a job would have one, health care would not be a problem, and the world would be saved.

Republicans Discover Key to Everything (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:37 AM)

First Read: Team Obama learned not to repeat this Bush administration mistake -- appoint someone to head FEMA with little prior experience in emergency management?

We just elected a President will little (actually no) prior experience. GM just went under, and the market is plunging again, so that will tell you how well that's working out.
Welfare State (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:26 AM)

-----------------------------------------------

Must be Obamas fault that GM's in the tank...The stock market, Obamas fault, Economy-Obama....shall I keep going? Enough already from the extremists that want to blame Obnama for everything. He's trying to fix the mess that he inherited. Doing nothing is not an option.

Paul Florida (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:41 AM)

Bob Smith, Obamnation, (Small Part of the World Hegemony) (Sent Wednesday, March 04, 2009 2:47 PM)
==========
Hey Bob! Where's your running stock market tally today? The DOW finished up 155+ today. You must really be disappointed.

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA.

How's it going today jawillie? You still holding that GM stock?

All In Are You? (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:42 AM)

The problem is not government involved in health care. It is corrupt mafia health care providers, and their lobbyists.

Archie Haase (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:43 AM)

No comment.

G.W.B. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:46 AM)

I sure like all the free publicity that the dems are giving Rush.

Freebies (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:47 AM)

Doing nothing is not an option.
Paul Florida

Doing the wrong things is worse.

Phil, NY (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:53 AM)

>>> just wanted to apologize for my earlier post insinuating that Rush Limbaugh told 3 hours of lies on his radio show.

It turns out that there are in fact commercial breaks, and so in fact, my statement was not entirely true.

Rush, sometimes I just get in front of the keyboard, and I get carried away, but I recognize what an important source of misinformation you are for America . . .

Can you EVER forgive me?

*sigh*
Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:46 AM)

==========
NOT YOU TOO, NASHVILLE! SAY IT AIN'T SO!

IS THERE NO END TO THE POWER OF THE DARK LORD LIMBAUGH?

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:56 AM)

See (above)

Except I'm not playing a game.
Sticks and stones.

Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:58 AM)

The problem is not government involved in health care. It is corrupt mafia health care providers, and their lobbyists.
Archie Haase

Aren't they all one and the same?

Meathead (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:03 AM)

"Stop imposing your personal biases on reality. Healthcare must be reformed in order to SAVE us money, not to raise our taxes.

The "high tax" boogeyman is not gonna fly this time, you're gonna have to do some thoughtful analysis.
Nashville_fan

The annual growth rate of government is 3-4 times that of inflation. And you're telling us that a government owned and run health care plan will save us money? -Not Born Yesterday
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Dear Not Born Yesterday:

I don't follow your logic.

See if you can follow mine:

Americans need affordable health care. The current system is not working.

No amount of pontificating about the size of government is going to help one dying child without health insurance.

Trying to make money by deciding who lives and who dies is immoral and ineffective.

This is not about theories of government. It is about human lives.

If we can't create a system where sick Americans can receive care, what is the point of having a government?

If you were dying of cancer and unemployed, would you wanna hear about the size of government?

Me neither.

P.S. I thought Gov. Jindal said Americans can do anything? What happened to that?

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:03 AM)

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:55 AM)
****************************************************
That link you provided was excellent reading, and i appreciate your comments. my wife is often surprised by the tone i strive for in writing about political philosophy, but i feel that i owe it to those who came before me to be a calming voice of reason when writing about the direction and fate of our country. (during the campaign i didn't always live up to that, but hey, i'm human too. but i'm trying to fix that ;) lol)

Partisan politics in this country has deteriorated the level of discourse, and blind faith in ideology has made us blind to the ways that compromise can make the best of both worlds. i'd rather throw out ideas and debate them than reduce myself to grade school name calling that i've seen destroy so many young people's self esteem (including my own until i grew up). i have the romantic notion that there is no greater force for good in the universe than homo sapiens, but i'm enough of a realist to see that there is no greater force for evil than homo sapiens as well.

a history professor in college once told me that there is a 3 step process to dehumanization of opponents that has existed since the dawn of civilization. 1)they don't look like us, so they don't feel things as we do. 2)because of the preceeding arguments, they aren't really humans, so 3)they don't deserve to live.

you see this process unfold in Prothero's rants on the radio everyday. create the division line, make your audience feel superior to their "enemies", and draw them to the desired conclusion. and it is sad that so many educated people listen to this garbage and throw away their right to think for themselves, instead giving that power to someone who profits on their laziness.

thought for the day: i've always been a believer in the concept, "lead by example". the U.S. has long told other nations to leave their rain forests alone, while if you take a look at a forestation map of the U.S. from 1800 and compare it to today, you will see a 75% reduction in forested area in North America. The entire East coast to the Missouri river was once forested, and now it has been severely cut back for agribusiness and development. If we want to tell other nations to not deforest their land, we need to take steps to reverse this process. i suggest that we make a push to reforest the US (where it is ecologically feasable; the plains won't support forestation well due to climate)> doing this would provide 2 benefits: 1)gives our land more capability to absorb pollutants, and can help to pull more Co2 out of the air and convert it to o2. 2)gives us a firm platform to show other nations that developing without destroying the natural ecosystem is important and possible.

it is only through sustained development and learning to live off the land again that we will be able to make the earth a safe place for humans to grow and reach our full potential. it i sour responsibility to make sure there is a planet left for those who come after, because those who came before didn't know about the full effects of their actions. we do, and it is time to stop passing the buck on to those who come after us.

Tzalaran (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:06 AM)

Lois T., NY: '...If government takes over health care, will health care work as well as the public education system we have in the country?...'

How well does the health care system work now for the uninsured ?
How about if they have a catastrophic illness ?
I talked to a notary public one time
He had no healtgh insurance and broke his leg
He was in hock to the City for over $150,000 and didn't see how he could pay that off

How's that work for you ??

By the way, how efficient are/was AIG ? GM ? Bank of America ? Bear Stearns ? Enron ? Dynergy ? Linclon Savings and Loan ??

Tell me more about the 'miracle of free enterprise'

Public education in San Francisco is just fine, thank you
It just needs motivated parents and children and then it produces wonderful results

Both my daughters are in college now
Make you jealous, Lois ?
Don't be a drop out, Lois

(and don;t blame it on public education)

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:10 AM)

I find it hilarious how people like Rush and Sarah do their best to turn themselves into attention whores, then rage against they attention they are getting. Rush, you can't sit there every day and say "look at me, look at me, look at me" and then turn around and say "hey, stop looking at me and focus on the real issues". If you don't want negative attention, then don't put yourself in the public eye. Comes with the territory. Live with it, or change your diapers more often.

Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:11 AM)

The fact that the President of the United States addresses those who lie about him by name is what concerns you? That is actually the saddest part - you have gotten so comfortable with unrebutted lies, that it is the response that offends.

Nashville_fan

Well now, this certainly is a brave new world. You sure you want to tread that path NF? Using public money, and that what Obama is doing, to be critical of the media is just fine with you? You don't see a conflict there? You don't seem to think the idea of an independent press is something that is important to the country? But yet, that's the direction you're advancing.

So what's next? A cabinet position for Controlling the Media? So now the government can lean on people it doesn't like. Lean on their sponsors and ask them to tone it down? And of course, just like with the banks and the automakers, at some point the government will need to nationalize the media. It of course will be "For our own good". You really want to go there NF?

Lenny (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:13 AM)

Hypocrisy (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:22 AM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?
Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)
__________

And the last time Barack Obama addressed Congress, who did the GOP choose to give their rebuttal? Oh, right, Piyush Jindal.

What exactly is your point again?

Jackson, Seattle (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:27 AM)

"...Doing the wrong things is worse." Phil, NY (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:53 AM)

Finally, you are seeing the DEM point of view - Bush's policy of doing the wrong thing WAS indeed worse!

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:33 AM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?
Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)
________________________________________

Now let's see...... Clean-cut American names. Wouldn't that be Pocahantas, Sitting Bull, Sacagawea ??????

Cindy Lou (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:35 AM)

So what's next? A cabinet position for Controlling the Media? So now the government can lean on people it doesn't like. Lean on their sponsors and ask them to tone it down? And of course, just like with the banks and the automakers, at some point the government will need to nationalize the media. It of course will be "For our own good". You really want to go there NF?

Lenny (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:13 AM)

==========
He doesn't need to go there, since Bush already did in his attempts to subvert media outlets and suspend first amendment rights.

I love how you all defend Bush in one breath, then try to paint Obama as Bush in the next. It's as if you hate Obama, but want your party to be like him (and what was the purpose of electing Michael Steele anyway).

>>>Who was it during the campaign that decried any Ayers or Rev Wright association as a 'distraction'? Who repeatedly said 'McCain only talks about these things because he can't talk about the issues?' Well, is talking about Limbaugh (not an elected official) talking about 'the issues'? Obama's team is deploying the very same tactics he claimed to despise during the campaign. And no one seems to notice.
Hypocrisy (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:22 AM)

==========
Except that Lord Limbaugh isn't talking about "the issues" in a way that makes any logical sense, merely creating talking points for the Generally Obsolete and Pathetic party to repeat to their rage-infected base. Maybe if members of your party would take his d1(k out of their mouth and their tounges out of his a$$ and grow a pair, it wouldn't be so easy to paint them as a pathetic bunch of whimpering little f@g-boys.
(no offense meant to anyone of the LGBT persuasion)

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:42 AM)

Obama better get his act together, and soon, else that glow in the west won't be a sunset, but will be the mob carrying torches coming to extract him from the White House. And Limbaugh will be leading the way.

Market Watcher
* * * * * * *

This is fascinating to me. When the market is going up, the "free markets rule!" people are all like, "Get out of the way of the market!" and such. Then when it goes down (due to corporate greed, lax regulations, and financial instruments based on fantasy - like derivatives), then they're all like, "Obama better fix this or we'll come at him with pitchforks!"

So... now you're saying you WANT a government-controlled market? Or just one that allows you all the profits on the way up, but none of the risks on the way down, including some of the government "letting the market work"? Or should Obama have a finger on the control of market investors?

What you're saying makes no sense, but I wouldn't expect it to, given that you're suggesting people go violently protest the President. See, here in reality, we take a LONG-TERM view of the market. Create the fundamentals that will provide a foundation for strong, lasting growth. Sometimes that means getting rid of the bad stuff, so the cream can rise to the top.

Unlike what GWB did, since the stock market dropped nearly 20 percentage points while he was President for two full terms. Thanks for helping my investments, GWB!! Nice going. I'll take the guy that's interested in the long-view, not short term profits at the expense of long term, sound planning.

Jose Von Hussein - The United States of America (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:45 AM)

Say what you will about Jabba the Limbaugh

At least he's gotten Simple Sarah Palin out of the news !!
That's progress, isn't it ??

I noticed that Bobbi Jindal has the Republican Mouth Syndrome

Just like Dick Cheney, his mouth gets crooked every time he lies...

MSierra, SF (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:46 AM)

"Well now, this certainly is a brave new world. You sure you want to tread that path NF? Using public money, and that what Obama is doing, to be critical of the media is just fine with you? You don't see a conflict there? You don't seem to think the idea of an independent press is something that is important to the country? But yet, that's the direction you're advancing. " - Lenny
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lenny,

We don't have a free press. We have a corporate narrative machine.

Do you have a problem with all the unrefuted lies in the media Lenny?

I want the truth Lenny, and I don't really care where it comes from.

Do you dispute that what you are calling the "free press" is a for profit sensationalism producing media show?

Lenny, did you hear about Nancy Pelosi's mouse? The train from Disney to Vegas? These are LIES Lenny.

But the "free press" gleefully repeates these lies.

What should the President do? Ignore it and hopes it goes away?

Welcome to the new reality Lenny - the media lies and social progress dies.

I'm willing to go down what ever path is the opposite of that.

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:51 AM)

Who was it during the campaign that decried any Ayers or Rev Wright association as a 'distraction'? Who repeatedly said 'McCain only talks about these things because he can't talk about the issues?' Well, is talking about Limbaugh (not an elected official) talking about 'the issues'? Obama's team is deploying the very same tactics he claimed to despise during the campaign. And no one seems to notice. -Hypocrisy
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Who was the keynote speaker at CPAC? Rush Limbaugh

Who do Congress people apologize to when they disappoint? Rush Limbaugh

Who wants the President of the United States to fail?
Rush Limbaugh

Who does the media tip toe around so they won't get whacked? Rush Limbaugh

Seems pretty relevent to me.

When Congress people start consulting with Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers about policy matters, then get back at me, 'kay?

Nashville_fan (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:57 AM)

I will swap health care plans with any member of congress. My wife and I pay 1023.00 per month. Unlike members of congress we go to the local doctors and hospitals. Many of them go to the Mayo etc.

What all americans should have is the same health care plan that each of them have. To the republicans this is socialized medicine. But, they don't mind being a part of it, an we get stuck with the bills.

I think that members of congress of whom many are wealthy, should have to pay for a priviate plan. Wouldn't take long to get universal health care. They damm sure can afford it more than the average american worker, since they make 170,000 per year.

jfpinter spotsylvania, va. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:23 PM)

Rahm Emanuel. Barack Hussein Obama.

Now those are two good clean-cut American names, don't you think?
Polythene Pam (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 9:52 AM)
*********
So is Piyush Jindal, who the GOP chose to rebut Obama's speech to Congress.

If you have a point, please make it.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:26 PM)

Hey Polythene Pam, when is the next clan meeting?

gp, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:32 PM)

Ready
Fire
Aim

The Obama Way

MSierra (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:32 PM)

The Democrats in the country are slowly figuring Obama out. Let's just hope they do so before it's too late.
Josh Sutton, St. Louis (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 10:10 AM)

------------------------------------------------------
And when will Repubs figure it out?

when will they figure out that thier top-down policies covering the last three decades have shown a steady decline in quality of life in America?

When will they figure out that their ideas / principals have been debated, attempted, failed, and rejected?

When, pray tell, will they figure out that their philosiphies were soundly rejected by every measure over the last few years, culminating in the devastating losses suffered on Nov. 4th?

When, I quander, will they figure out that we want alternative solutions, not just critisizing snark?

When, I wonder, will they realize that in the obstructionist role they've taken, they will continue to lose supporters.

When will they, the Republican's, realize that while they used to have an inferred "monopoly" on strength and patriotism, they are now being led around by thier noses by someone they are scared to stand up to?

Unfotunatley, It doesn't look like the Repubs. are anywhere near figuring it out.

Too bad for them.

But mostly, too bad for US.

Ted, Mid Michigan. (Sent Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:35 PM)

<< Previous

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1821375