Obama 'comfortable' with Reid's announced healthcare delay

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-comfortable-with-reids-announced-healthcare-delay-2009-07-23.html

Obama 'comfortable' with Reid's announced healthcare delay
By Sam Youngman
Posted: 07/23/09 03:12 PM


President Obama said Thursday that he is "comfortable" with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) assertion that the chamber will not produce a healthcare bill before the August recess.

The president said if a bill comes out of the Senate Finance Committee by recess and he is convinced that lawmakers are working toward a bill, then he will not pressure them to stay and work through the recess.

At a town hall meeting in Cleveland, a questioner asked the president if he would ask Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stay in Washington to pass healthcare reform.

Obama said "if people are legitimately working out tough problems," then missing his August deadline is not a problem.

"But I don't want a delay just because of politics," Obama said.

The president explained to the crowd that his original goal was to get a bill out of the House and Senate by the August recess and then the legislative process would continue after lawmakers returned.

"Our target date is to get this done by the fall. That's the bottom line," Obama said.

After finishing the question-and-answer session, the president urged audience members to "stay on your members of Congress."

"Keep up the heat," Obama said. "We've gotta get this done."

[HopeOverFear]

1. But Obama...the delay *is* because of politics

cmon, man....

[Yavin4]

7. What Should He Do? Smack Harry Reid Upside His Head?

He's got to deal with 60 senators, each with their own agenda, and some of whom's agenda is financed by the healthcare companies.

[valerief]

2. They will NEVER deliver. They're all making too much $$$ from the insurance lobby. nt

[rvablue]

3. Can't say I agree. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable that the RW is going to have

their way again. They've got another month to whine and moan their obstructionist talking points now.

The good news: it's summer and nobody but the likes of us are paying attention. Well, us and the folks who are gravely ill and can't afford health care, anyway.

But, we've got to heed the President's message. We've got to keep up the heat on our Congresscritters.

[babylonsister]

4. I'm thinking he was overruled by Senators. Too bad he didn't

tell them to just get it done. Maybe he needs more time. This isn't the end of it though. If it is, Americans are dumber than even I give them credit for.

[GivePeaceAchance]

5. Sanders said it's better for everyone if time is taken to make a robust bill for everyone...

Sanders is fighting our corner like crazy there if Sanders says we need extra time, I'm all for it.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

8. OK

[GivePeaceAchance]

9. I can understand folks want it done and how the right will spin it but a little deliberation will...

be a positive thing on this. I have every faith in Sanders who is baning heads together up there as diplomatically as he can.

[jeanpalmer]

6. If Obama is comfortable

I'm comfortable.