The CLAIM that Obama Lied is a Lie (and the republicans love that we are dumb enough to fall for it)

[Liberation Angel]

DID OBAMA CAMPAIGN ON PUBLIC OPTION?
Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:59 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama
From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
Some liberals are upset with this statement President Obama made to the Washington Post: "I didn't campaign on the public option."

The liberal group Progressive Change Campaign Committee is up a with new TV ad in response, which will run in D.C. and Wisconsin (to influence Sen. Russ Feingold). "President Obama should frankly feel ashamed that he promised Americans a public option, got people to believe real change was possible, and then never truly fought for it -- instead, pushing an insurance mandate that he specifically campaigned against," said the PCCC's Adam Green. "Hopefully, our ad inspires one brave senator to represent the will of the people and insist that a public option be in any final bill."

As we've written before, the words "public option" didn't appear in any Obama campaign speech we can remember; they didn't come up during the debates; and they didn't surface in TV ads. Remember when Obama and Hillary Clinton dominated the MSNBC debate with Brian Williams and Tim Russert with 16 minutes of health-care discussion, the words "public option" were never uttered. It is true that a public plan was part of Obama's health-care plan, and it's also true that the public option was an idea being debated in policy-wonk circles during the campaign.

But, from our vantage point as reporters who covered the presidential campaign, Obama's quote to the Washington Post appears to be correct.

And here's Huffington Post's Sam Stein's take: "An examination of approximately 200 newspaper articles from the campaign, as well as debate transcripts and public speeches shows that Obama spoke remarkably infrequently about creating a government-run insurance program. Indeed, when he initially outlined his health care proposals during a speech before the University of Iowa on March 29, 2007, he described setting up a system that resembles the current Senate compromise - in which private insurers would operate in a non-profit entity that was regulated heavily by a government entity."

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/12/23/2159620.aspx

DAMN IT TAKES A LOT TO PROVE TO THE HATERS THAT THEY ARE WRONG! Glad this republican planted meme can finally be put to rest. i do NOT know where it started but it went viral and all along it was just more tripe to try to stop Obama and stop ANY progressive change.

[EFerrari]

1. That's just pathetic.

[ipaint]

2. The veal pen in action. nt

[Moochy]

23. Is that a cattle prod in your pocket?

or are you just happy to see me?

[FLAprogressive]

3. Black is white. Up is down. Right is left.

:crazy:

[Echo In Light]

40. Sky's the limit!

[Donnachaidh]

4. oohhhh -- a new swing at the same tired old revision of history

Baaahhhh Baahhhhh said the sheep.

[Moochy]

5. Revisionism: It's the Change We've Been Hoping For

[tridim]

11. Lying: Something that used to be frowned upon on DU.

[griffi94]

15. it seems it is still frowned upon

and that president obama is being called on it.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Donnachaidh]

16. shrieking chorale packs running wild -- something that also used to be frowned on at DU

hasn't stopped you and the Brownie squad.

[kirby]

6. It is a FACT!

During the town hall events, Obama, in front of left-leaning crowds such as unions, said "I will VETO any bill that does not include a ROBUST PUBLIC OPTION".

[Liberation Angel]

12. WHEN? During the Campaign? (Link please)

because that is what we are talking about.

He has supported the public option as a compromise BUT he too must compriomise even if he WANTS the public option. The new proposal may be better than a weak public option. We will see what comes out of conference.
BUT do you have a SOURCE fr your claim. THAT is a different issue. And what he says he WILL do MUST depend on what compromises he has to make.

You need to give me a link.

[ipaint]

20. Oh please.

I posted links in the last thread you made this claim in. All during the campaign.

[Donnachaidh]

22. here's videotape dear

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x416707

[FLAprogressive]

25. That is not a reliable source.

;)

[Donnachaidh]

26. okay smartass LOL

Glad you used the smiley :rofl:

[FLAprogressive]

30. You clearly missed the updated version of that video.

Our President went back in time, He said "I support mandates and I don't want a public option." Our President. What a guy.

[tkmorris]

32. ROFL

:toast:

[donco6]

53. Ha! God they'll get around it no matter what you say or do. n/t

[FLAprogressive]

64. You know it.

"He didn't actually say that. That was his body double!"

[SammyWinstonJack]

74. Heh

:spray:

[Bluebear]

51. ----

:spray:

[AndyA]

35. Here's a link on his website:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/index.php

Note this is Obama's Plan, not someone else's. It clearly states the need for a public option in the second column.

Quality, Affordable Choices
If You Don’t Have Insurance, the Obama Plan:

•Creates a new insurance marketplace — the Exchange — that allows people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices.
•Provides new tax credits to help people buy insurance.
•Provides small businesses tax credits and affordable options for covering employees.
•Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.
•Immediately offers new, low-cost coverage through a national “high risk” pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created.

Still there, just copied it now...this was his campaign website, was it not?

[Political Heretic]

46. There's your links. Now you got the guts to come back and apologize for being wrong?

[kirby]

59. Here is a link

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/HealthCareFullPlan.pdf

Just do a search of that PDF file for 'public plan'. You will see the Obama/Biden campaign mentions it several times.

Also, the campaign health care FAQ.

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/Obama08_HealthcareFAQ.pdf

Example:

Q. Will I still have choice in health plans?
A. Yes. Obama’s plan actually will increase the choices available to you. If you like the
insurance you have now, nothing will change under the Obama plan, except that you will
pay less. If you do not have insurance you can choose to enroll in the new public plan,

[walldude]

76. Jesus, here's your fucking link with AUDIO

"Any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange -- a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, costs, and track records of a variety of plans -- including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest."

- President Obama - Weekly Radio Address - July 17, 2009

http://newstalgia.crooksandliars.com/gordonskene/lest-we-all-forget-public-option-and-p

And that was not the only time he said it. But don't believe your ears, I'm sure this is an Obama impersonator hired by the right wing to say those things we all heard during the campaign but forgot to record. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[hfojvt]

83. Jul;y 17, 2009? That's not Obama campaigning on a public option

That's Obama fighting for a public option. Something some progressives are now saying that he did not do.

If he campaigned on the public option, then that must happen BEFORE November 2008.

[Liberation Angel]

84. This is AFTER the campaign. Jeez this meme won't quit

The claim is he lied about the campaign NOT AFTER the campaign

get the facts straight as well as the argument.

Pulleeze

[AuntPatsy]

13. fact that he lied? I was not aware that hte bill is done and already signed by the pres?

[kirby]

60. Yes...

By the action of him denying supporting something that was a part of his campgains health plan, he has lied. He didn't have to lie. He could have make some arguments about not having the votes, etc. However he chooses to insult the intelligence of his supporters who know what he said.

[sendero]

67. When it is .

.... will you admit he's a liar?

I didn't think so.

[AuntPatsy]

70. I think people are forgetting that we are on the same side..seems

to me that the games that "they" are playing in order to keep us busy looking in the wrong direction is working as planned..I wish people would wake up and stop being so easily misled..

[Liberation Angel]

7. "Obama's quote to the Washington Post appears to be correct." Reporter's conclusion, not mine.

Just sayin'

call it what you want but it was a damn lie to begin with and fools here rushed to be hating on Obama like flies to bush-it

[Starry Messenger]

8. Happy Christmas Semantacrats!!!111

Jesus, we get it, you're happy.

[Fumesucker]

9. When Minitrue speaks, people listen..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Truth

[griffi94]

10. sorry i'm not willing accept

that i should quietly eat a shit sandwich and then ask for more or else the repubs will be happy.
why do you hate america

[JFN1]

14. Right. Just like Bush didn't say, Mission Accomplished"

with his voice - he used a big fucking banner instead.

It amounts to the same thing.

[Liberation Angel]

17. Did you even READ what was said

or do you just think Bush=Obama for fun?

[Individualist]

18. You're trying to defend the indefensible. It isn't working.

[PassingFair]

27. It depends on what the definition of "is" is.....

typical spin.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. Merry Unrecthismess!

[grahamhgreen]

Now your lying about the lie!

[grahamhgreen]

21. Now your lying about the lie!

[laughingliberal]

28. It's not even good spin anymore.

The same damned convoluted hoops the Republicans jump through to cover their tracks.

[H2O Man]

29. Please stop.

[ThePhilosopher04]

31. and magicians...

don't really pull rabbits out of their hats either, they just want you to believe they do...it's like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKdIKP1arF0

[AndyA]

33. It's been widely reported in the news that the Obama website STILL promotes

the need for a public option.

Really, if you have to go to such desperate measures to prop up Obama, chances are he doesn't deserve it.

He needs to deal with the fact he said whatever needed to be said at the time to get votes. Now he's going to deny it and expect us to give him a pass on it.

From BarackObama.com:

•Offers a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/healthcare/index.php

Where's the public option, Barack? It was--IT IS--in your plan... :shrug:

[Moochy]

36. Thanks for pointing this out

A note has been sent to the webmaster to fix this.
Signed, Message Discipline, LLC.

[AndyA]

39. There are dated copies available.

They will be provided to all at no charge. :)

[Teacher in SC]

55. Multiple examples on KO (L.O'D sub) of public option by Obama

during the campaign last night. If you TIVO'd you'll be able to see it.

I'd like to know how those of us who are so angry about this can make the point to Obama. As if Afghanistan weren't enough, or not prosecuting the Bush/Cheney gang for war crimes, etc.

Writing letters to WhiteHouse.gov doesn't really reach him. Maybe if we unsubscribe from our e-mail letters from Obama's group OFA en masse, it might have a shock effect.

[AndyA]

56. I've unsubscribed 3 times, but still keep getting messages.

Nothing since the final attempt, so perhaps it finally got through.

Each time, I explained why I was no longer a supporter. There were several threads here at DU where quite a few people said they'd unsubscribed.

In them, a few also said they subscribed, but I would imagine that wasn't true, since they'd have likely already been on the list anyway if they supported Obama during the election.

I do think if they see a large number of people unsubscribing, and a ***DROP IN DONATIONS*** (ESPECIALLY THIS), they will get the point.

[Teacher in SC]

57. Looks like it's worth trying. I've deleted so many recently

that I'll have to wait till they come looking for money again.

As for those who assume we are "haters", you miss the point. We have a strong sense of justice. This action flies in the face of all I have stood for. I won't vote Republican, but you can bet I'll be looking at other Democrats to support. His only way out of this is a straight apology to his base. Period.

[havocmom]

86. I unsubscribed and I told them why

Dean's group gets another check come payday. The DLC can piss up the rope of their choice. I support DEM candidates, not GOP placating corporate zombies.

[Ignis]

34. From the 2008 Democratic Party platform:

Covering All Americans and Providing Real Choices of Affordable Health Insurance Options.

Families and individuals should have the option of keeping the coverage they have or choosing from a wide array of health insurance plans, including many private health insurance options and a public plan. Coverage should be made affordable for all Americans with subsidies provided through tax credits and other means.

Platform here: http://www.democrats.org/a/party/platform.html
PDF download: http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

[tridim]

38. And Joe Lieberman ingored the platform and killed the PO

Why? Because he works for Aetna, and he's a Republican asshole.

[Ignis]

41. Holy Joe isn't a (D) anymore, so it's not his platform.

I'm not sure what every other (D)'s excuse is, though. :shrug:

[tridim]

42. That's what I just said. He's a turncoat and he killed the PO

Obama and the majority of Dems in Congress have always supported the PO that Joe killed.

[Ignis]

43. Majority overall in Congress? Perhaps.

Majority of Dems in the Senate? Seems not.

It's sure as hell not in the final bill, despite the fact that we control both houses and the presidency. :shrug:

[Warren Stupidity]

45. You didn't read the fine print.

It is hard to read. Here I'll magnify it:

and a public plan.

*unless Joe SchmuckPutz says no
*women under bus

[Ignis]

49. Damn, I need to turn my browser font size up a notch.

Good catch! :thumbsup:

[NJmaverick]

37. Yes it is and you would think only the right would stoop as low as to repeat it often

[GreenArrow]

44. In dreams

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper:
"Go to sleep, everything is alright"

I close my eyes
Then I drift away
Into the magic night
I softly sway
Oh smile and pray
Like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep
To dream my dreams of you

In dreams...I walk with you
In dreams...I talk to you
In dreams...Your mine

All of the time
We're together
In dreams...In dreams

But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone
I can't help it...I can't help it
If I cry
I remember
That you said goodbye
To end all these things
And I'll be happy in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams

[Warren Stupidity]

48. OK we all confess. We are all secret rightwing trolls.

You forgot to add 'haters' into your post. It is much more effective when you do that.

[Ignis]

50. ...Or Democrats. See post #34. (nt)

[NMMNG]

47. ....

“It appeared that there had even been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grams a week. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes, they swallowed it.”

[Bluebear]

52. "THE HATERS" - lol

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

54. "Haters" = Anyone not from the "Father Knows Best" wing of the party.

[depakid]

58. A whole lot of cognitive dissonance going on in that wing of the party these days

[Raine]

61. Depends on what "is is"

:eyes: x(

[ShamelessHussy]

62. It's all in our heads!

YEAH, what ever gave us the idea there would be any kind of real change, anyway, eh?

nuts!

[IndianaGreen]

63. He lied, and he lied repeatedly, and he continues to lie.

No amount of Ari Fleischer type of spin can change that.

[Fearless]

66. Agreed.

[mcablue]

65. If you promise something just a few times, you STILL promised it

Let's not try to set a minimum for the number of times politicians can promise something before they can be expected to come through.

[chill_wind]

68. Stop. Just stop.

You've losing all credulity in still pursuing this.

[gleaner]

69. Oh please .....

I just saw the video clips on Countdown. I see that someone has linked you to one of them. What is it with you guys? You call us ugly names because we believe what we see with our own eyes and remember the promises Obama made because at the time we supported him. Are you so much in denial that you want to try and force the rest of us back into it? It won't work. The Genie is out of the bottle, he has sowed his seeds of disappointment and sold out his supporters and we have seen it. You can't cram it back and pretend it never happened.

Also, don't tell me I hate. Don't tell me what I feel about anything. You don't know. You ask people what they feel, if they feel like it they tell you. Let me tell you once and only once. I don't hate Obama, or anyone really. I don't like what he did or is doing but that is not hate. Hate is a corrosive strong emotion that eats your insides out if you embrace it. I'm a Quaker and I do not seek emotions that create conflicts inside of myself. If I do that it makes it harder for me to meet and deal with conflicts outside of myself. I forgive people, but that does not equate with making excuses for them or trying to prevent them from taking responsibility for their own actions. Another value that Quakers live is called "plain speak." It simply means you don't lie. Obviously you are not acquainted with it. If you were you would know that telling the truth gives you a lot more freedom than lying. You can say what you think without worrying about what you have made up and put out as the truth on other occasions. It also allows you to deal with your own world better. Once you tell yourself the truth, you can deal with the reality of it and what it could mean to you.

[FreeState]

71. Nice hit and run n/t

[omega minimo]

72. You again

[Liberation Angel]

73. What about "Obama's quote to the Washington Post appears to be correct"in OP isn't clear?

I mean, did any of you attacking me and Obama even READ the OP and the conclusion by the reporters who reviewed the tapes and the speeches etc that the President did NOT campaign on "A Public OPTION"

Yes there was the generic language of "public health plan" and "public insurance plan" BUT these are generic terms which are what we are getting, more or less, in this bill.

The PUBLIC OPTION is a more specific legislative term that got promoted AFTER the inauguration.

LOOK, people here are calling Obama a liar and a snake because he says he wasn't campaigning on the "PUBLIC OPTION".

His statement happens to be true.

So I see all this rhetoric that Obama LIED and is a SNAKE as toxic hate speech. Based on a fabrication and Rovian spin.

EVEN THE KO COUNTDOWN VIDEO SAYS IN THE FIRST 30 SECONDS THAT WHAT HE SAID IS CORRECT.

If you want to make stuff up to taint the presidet, then you are working against progressive action and hurting prospects for the future.

THAT serves the Republican agenda.

But at the very least get the facts straight and stop fabricating spin to spread hate and distrust of Obama.

[walldude]

78. So when Obama said the words "Robust Public Option"

like in the link I posted above, he didn't really mean "public option" and I'm an idiot for not understanding that? Thanks for playing... sucker.

[Bjorn Against]

79. This video from 2007 shows Obama campaigning for the public option well before the inauguration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDtVnPBKMRc&feature=player_embedded

[jgraz]

75. We've always been at war with East Asia.

[LWolf]

77. .

1. I'm not a hater.

2. You haven't proved anything.

[bvar22]

80. The claim that "Obama Lied" is a LIE....

..IS indeed a LIE.

[Iggo]

81. Depends on what your definition of "is" is.

We're mincing words here.

[Little Star]

82. Oh brother, my darned eyes and ears lied again!

[varelse]

85. Well at least there is one indisputable fact in that op ed

This all really speaks to what a blank slate Barack Obama was for so many people -- liberals, centrists and conservatives alike. Anyone could find something they liked about him and adapt the idea of Obama to what they wanted.

I suppose this first term will bring discovery of what, and who he really is. I for one will be paying close attention to his decisions, his appointments, and his actions. I don't care a whit for the grandiose speeches or photo ops - those are, to me, merely the costume and the stage setting for the actors we call politicians. It is high time we all took a look behind the mask.