Two minute warning (less now) Obama to start with opening statement
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:00:37 AM
Here we go, he's at the podium in the East Room
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:02:23 AM
Starting off with a pitch on healthcare reform (no surprise on that)
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:03:06 AM
Obama: we spend much more on healthcare than any other nation, but aren't any healthier for it
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:04:17 AM
Obama talking about consequences of inaction says if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control deficits (he's using a lot of hand gestures)
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:05:37 AM
Obama points out he has great health insurance and so does every member of Congress (there's a message for the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue)
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:10:07 AM
first question healthcare, Obama says before talking about how to pay for it wants to talk about what needs to be done
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:12:23 AM
It's the paying for it that's got some members of Congress up in arms, so let's see how he comes back to the how-to-pay-for-it question
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:13:44 AM
Obama says he will oppose any proposals that rely primarily on taxing the middle class
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:15:06 AM
But he doesn't have any problem on a tax surcharge on wealthy couples making $1 million or more
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:17:55 AM
Reuters question to Obama: why the rush?
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:18:37 AM
His answer: families getting clobbered every day on healthcare costs
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:19:04 AM
Hand gestures ramping up. There's pointing, counting out with fingers, the wide bookends that narrow in, and he likes to point both hands to his left
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:22:29 AM
third question in a row on healthcare.... Obama's response -- he wants to cover everybody
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:23:20 AM
He's talking about foot amputation due to diabetes (yikes)
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:25:42 AM
Obama gives a tip of the hat to Republicans Grassley, Enzi and Snowe for working with Democrats
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:27:20 AM
fourth question on ... healthcare
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:28:51 AM
Obama response: Americans are going to have to give up on paying for things that don't make them healthier
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:29:36 AM
Here's more clarity from the president: if there's a blue pill and a red pill and one pill is half the price but works just as well, why not use that pill
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:31:29 AM
Despite what his critics say, Obama says he is worrying about the deficit -- "the debt and the deficit are deep concerns of mine"
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:35:07 AM
He points out that he inherited a huge deficit (does not name any names but pretty clear who he's talkin' about)
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:37:14 AM
Question five is on (take a guess) ... healthcare reform
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:38:00 AM
Obama's talking about seniors who have a "doughnut hole" in their plan
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:38:40 AM
And question six is (drumroll please) on healthcare...but wait it's morphed into a question on transparency
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:39:37 AM
Obama's response: his adminstration has provided transparency
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:40:50 AM
seventh question on those Wall Street types who took a taxpayer bailout and then took bonuses
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:41:27 AM
Bailing out the banks "was the right thing to do" (this time he names names) saying it originated in the Bush administration
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:42:28 AM
The answer, Obama says, is "we've got to pass financial regulatory reform"
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:44:25 AM
Question 8 back on healthcare...
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:47:37 AM
He's talking about reports that insurance companies are making record profits
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:48:58 AM
Now it's kids' tonsils and allergies
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:50:50 AM
And this is why the healthcare debate is not about him: "I'm the president of the United States, I've got a doctor following me every minute"
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:52:08 AM
Press antics... obama called on one reporter but another one stood up instead and got his question in...
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:54:18 AM
Last question to Obama from his hometown paper the Chicago Sun-Times asking about arrest of black Harvard scholar for trying to get into his own house... Obama jokes that if he tried it at the White House he'd probably get shot
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:55:43 AM
"Race remains a factor" in the society... "I am standing here as testimony to the progress that's been made" ... "this still haunts us"
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:56:30 AM
And that's a wrap
by Front_Row at 7/23/2009 12:56:36 AM