Health care reform summit smackdown part I

[flamin lib]

Smack down part 1

President Obama made a 20 minute opening statement that, if boiled down to a single sentence would be, “Let us find agreement and then discuss our differences.” He then hands the opening statements over to the Republican leadership; Mitch McConnell and John Boner, ah I mean Boehner. Neither speak, deferring to Lamar Alexander. Seems they don’t want their names anywhere close to this televised debate—let somebody else look incredibly stupid.

Alexander opens with the talking point that insurance premiums will go up under the Senate bill. Rambles on a bit about starting over, incremental changes and other tried and untrue talking points.

Obama comes back with the CBO report that says premiums will go DOWN by 15-20% and the insured may choose to buy better coverage for a 10-13% increase over the old, bad coverage. Trade in the old bad coverage for new better coverage at a little more money.

Alexander comes back with “all due respect” you’re wrong bla, bla-bla, bla.

Obama says, Okay, I’ll release the CBO numbers to the press or anyone else who wants to see them. If you have different information I’d like to see it.

Alexander says, Uh, I’ll get back to ya’ on that.

Obama says, No, I’d like to settle this here today. We’ll be here all afternoon so have your people get the information you have so we can talk about it. He then calls on the next speaker.

The man sets the ground rules right off the bat. You can have your own opinion but dammit we will all use the same facts. Soooooo Sweet!

More to come!

[xchrom]

1. I gotta give Obama big props for the openings

Even Reid gets props from re: his opening and Alexander.

[Monk06]

2. I love to watch Boner sit there all day glaring at the president and yielding his time

when it's his turn to talk. What a slimey coward he
is

[FourScore]

3. This is a FANTASTIC post!!! Thank you, flamin lib!

:kick: and rec

[Bobbie Jo]

4. K&R

:kick: