Obama: Compromise on health if GOP is serious - "It is time..."

[jefferson_dem]

Obama: Compromise on health if GOP is serious

By ERICA WERNER
The Associated Press
Saturday, February 27, 2010; 6:10 AM

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama said Saturday that he's ready to compromise with Republicans if they're serious about it but that his health care overhaul must go forward.

Obama's comments in his weekly Internet and radio address, two days after an all-day bipartisan summit across from the White House, were the latest sign that Democrats are girding to try to plow sweeping health care legislation through Congress with no Republicans on board.

Success will require colossal efforts on the part of Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress to round up votes after a year of corrosive debate and a Senate special-election upset that threw the overhaul effort into limbo last month. But Obama and the Democrats reject the piecemeal approach sought by Republicans and have no intention of scrapping their 10-year, $1 trillion bill and starting over as the GOP demands.

"I am eager and willing to move forward with members of both parties on health care if the other side is serious about coming together to resolve our differences and get this done. But I also believe that we cannot lose the opportunity to meet this challenge," Obama said.

"The tens of millions of men and women who cannot afford their health insurance cannot wait another generation for us to act. Small businesses cannot wait. Americans with pre-existing conditions cannot wait. State and federal budgets cannot sustain these rising costs.

"It is time for those of us in Washington to live up to our responsibilities to the American people and to future generations," Obama said. "So let's get this done."

<SNIP>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/27/AR2010022700999.html

Video of weekly address:

Weekly Address: Premiums, Profits, and the Need for Health Reform
February 19, 2010 | 4:29

The President points to outrageous premium hikes from health insurance companies already making massive profits as further proof of the need for reform. Looking ahead to the coming bipartisan meeting on reform, the President urges members of Congress to come to the table in good faith to address the issue.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/weekly-address-premiums-profits-and-need-health-reform

[babylonsister]

1. iow, the olive branch has been extended, but we're going forward

on HCR whether they like it or not. Sounds like a plan.

[jefferson_dem]

2. I suspect this is as much political posturing as anything.

Fact is, the gNOp is comprised of sleazy ideologues. They don't want compromise. And this will prove it. Hopefully, it will also steel the spine of wavering Dems to push this sucker through and enlighten the public about the extremist nature of the gNOp.

[Arkana]

6. Pretty much.

It's one last chance to surrender before Gibbs fires the torpedoes on Monday or whatever.

[skepticscott]

7. Prove it to who

that didn't already know it? Who out there that could be convinced that Congressional Republicans have absolutely no interest in compromise of any sort hasn't already been? And why is Obama still wasting time after a year of extending the olive branch to them? He's tried to be accomodating to the Repugs since before he even took office, and NOT ONE bit of good has come from it. Enough.

[TankLV]

21. And how many THOUSANDS have died in the meantime while Obama fiddled with this nonsense?

[backscatter712]

9. Yep, designed to show Obama as the adult, while the GOP are the shrieking toddlers.

Not that I'm against this - this is a true portrayal.

[Kermitt Gribble]

3. So,

is this the compromise on the compromise on the compromise, or the compromise on the compromise on the compromise on the compromise??

I've lost track - may have missed a few compromises somewhere along the line.

[msongs]

4. it's a lesson obama refuses to learn after a year of begging and pleading nt

[avaistheone1]

8. What's left to compromise?

Just about everything has been compromised away.

[tinrobot]

5. You can't compromise with "NO"

So, I guess he's moving forward?

Hope so.

[FormerDittoHead]

10. I am reminded of the Paris (Vietnam) Peace talks and we're arguing the shape of the table..

The problem is that we're already in the embassy waiting for the helicopter...

[brand404]

11. This must be just talk cuz if he's serious he is quite possibly the dumbest president i've ever seen

This has got to be just political theatre because if he thinks he can water-down this sad bill even more by allowing the repubs to offer even more bad ideas which end up with 0 votes than he is clearly the weakest rpesident i have ever seen...possibly the dumbest.

The democrats are losing because it is clear especially through Obama that they stand for nothing and willing to toss out the bathwater with the baby if they can.

No, this has to be just paying lip service and nothing more...it has to be.

[backscatter712]

12. He's showing the GOP to be a bunch of screaming toddlers.

That's how this game works. Offer your hand, watch as they spit in it, then say "See, they're not being reasonable. Guess we'll have to do it ourselves."

[brand404]

16. Makes total sense. I just fear based on history how Obama eagerly gives away ANYTHING

He seems totally obsessed with it....the bill is so weakened and includes at least 100 repub ammendments that wont get any repubs to vote nor will any of those compromises be taken out. We have all concluded after a year that Obama is no chess player...he is more a "get whatever you can get" politician. Rahm seems to be the real culprit behind this. So his new comments about GOP compromising AGAIN, altough it seems to be very much political theatre, based on his track record he might actually be serious and willing to beat the deadhorse more and give away even more -- which is impossible now since the bill is everything the health industry wanted and not much great for the people.

[jenmito]

17. "We have all concluded after a year that Obama is no chess player..."

Um, no, we "all" haven't concluded that.

[TankLV]

22. Well a lot of have - too bad for us all that you still believe the hype

[cliffordu]

19. LOL. Enjoy your stay.

:hurts:

[ClassWarrior]

13. THEY'RE NOT SERIOUS.

:eyes:

NGU.

[Writer]

14. I don't think this is Obama making concessions at the table...

this is his asking the GOP that, if they're truly serious, then THEY need to make concessions at the table.

Es como las rayas en la zebra.

[ljm2002]

15. Please, please stop with the compromise talk Mr. President!

Stop it now! I for one am sick to death of hearing how you are willing to compromise with the fucking Republicans.

Why not be uncompromising for a change. Why not fight for us. Why not tell these slimy little weasels to stuff it where the sun don't shine.

Please, Mr. President. The time for compromise is long since past, if indeed it ever existed.

You compromised this bill before it was ever drafted, by leaving single payer off the table at the outset. Then you compromised away the public option, the ability to negotiate for drug prices... the list goes on and on.

WE HAVE ALREADY COMPROMISED, and the bill that exists has dozens -- DOZENS -- of Republican ideas and amendments.

Pass the damned bill or don't, but please stop with the talk about compromise. You can't "compromise" with a brick will. You either go around it, climb over it, dig under it, or knock it down.

[bvar22]

18. An excuse for taking ANOTHER step to the RIGHT.

What else can be "compromised" away?
:shrug:

[rug]

20. The only compromise left is an ATM implanted in the rectum of every American.