TPM: Robert Gibbs: Obama is 'Pleased' Public Option Included

[flpoljunkie]

Gibbs: Obama Is 'Pleased' Public Option Included
Christina Bellantoni | October 26, 2009, 3:51PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs issued a statement reacting to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's press conference on health care:

"The President congratulates Senator Reid and Chairmen Baucus and Dodd for their hard work on health insurance reform. Thanks to their efforts, we're closer than we've ever been to solving this decades-old problem. And while much work remains, the President is pleased at the progress that Congress has made. He's also pleased that the Senate has decided to include a public option for health coverage, in this case with an allowance for states to opt out. As he said to Congress and the nation in September, he supports the public option because it has the potential to play an essential role in holding insurance companies accountable through choice and competition."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/gibbs-obama-is-pleased-public-option-included.php?ref=fpblg

[Tom Rinaldo]

1. This is a very good day for America

Thank you Mr. President. And thank you to our Congressional leadership in both Houses.

[liskddksil]

3. Agreed

Credit must be given where credit is due. We have a public option (however imperfect) in House and Senate Bills now.

[thatsrightimirish]

2. but but but

Jerome Armstrong told me he hated the public option and was the worst President ever!

[Whisp]

4. no, he's not pleased! he's just pretending to be pleased...

right now he is in meeting as to how to derail the public option entirely and how to get even more money to the insurance companies. he doesn't care about people, he doesn't care than women like basketball too, Obama only cares about corporate america. He doesn't care that people are losing their homes and their lives because of the draconian health system in america, he just cares about how good he looks on tv. He is a sell out corporate fucking whore just like Bush - in fact he's worse than Bush because he has fooled a lot more people than bush ever could. Did you see him with Bush Senior the other day - why he was practically fellating the old bastard. How can you trust a man like that...

just thought I'd get a jump on some assholes here.

[grytpype]

5. Yeah, he's a total sellout

And if Mississippi OPTS OUT of the PUBLIC OPTION I am going to cry and cry and cry

And I am going to vote against Harry Reid even though I don't live in his state,

And this is just a big plot by Rahm to sell our pure souls to the insurance companies.

The Aristocrats.

[grytpype]

13. Oh but it's not PURE! I want PURITY even if it means LOSING!

and so on and so on

[jefferson_dem]

15. Sometimes even purity is not enough if it means we won't lose.

I want to lose, damnit!

[Divine Discontent]

6. The Public Option is a very weak piece of legislation as many here know, ultimately, I hope like all

of us do, that this will lead to Universal Health Care for the next generation. If we are able bodied and work, we though will still be paying premium based fees for health care. Some day, though, America will have true Universal coverage and be better for it.

Congrats to those in DC for getting the giant to move just a little towards true reform.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

7. yes, yes , yes

[Divine Discontent]

9. The more that social democracy develops, grows, and becomes stronger, the more the enlightened

masses of workers will take their own destinies, the leadership of their movement, and the determination of its direction into their own hands.


and Yes to that!

[inna]

10. +1!

Yes to that! :hi:

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. oh yes!

[Beetwasher]

12. Yes, This Is The Step In That Direction

This bill is far from perfect. Very far, but considering the forces we (and the Dem congress and Obama) are up against, this is a major step forward and today is a day to celbrate that step and congratulate those that worked hard for it. But it is FAR from the end. But that's how these changes happen, they are incremental. Progress must be fought for, tooth and nail, every step of the way. But you build upon your previous progress. This legislation is a building block in the foudnation of universal health care. Once in place, it will not be able to be removed, and once in place, it WILL be built upon.

[hileeopnyn8d]

18. +1

I agree, and I think that the fight we've seen from the Republicans and the insurance industry proves that they know that this step will lead to Universal Health Care.

I hope I'm around to see it, though I'm sure I'll be on Medicare by then. ;)

[uponit7771]

8. Haters: "...did he light his hair on fire yet?!!? No??!....well there you go!!!..."

[Aramchek]

14. Come on 'bama, Light our Fiyo!!

:)

[Cha]

11. They've come a long long way and

deserve some props.

[vaberella]

17. I get the feeling O pressed him to add a public option. n/t