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   Memo: The way forward on health care reform in 2010.
 A dark legacy of the Vietnam War is creating a whole new set of problems.
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February 24, 2009
SPEECH LIVEBLOGGING.... President Obama will be heading into the House chamber in about 10 minutes, and I'll be sharing some reactions along the way. Here it goes.... 8:55: Attorney General Eric Holder is the cabinet official who'll be at an undisclosed location tonight. FYI. 9:00: Capt. Sully and the crew of 1549 get a hearty round of applause. 9:03: Justice Ginsburg gets some deserved love from lawmakers on her way into the chamber. (Justice Thomas rushed past her like he had somewhere to go.) 9:06: I don't see Bachmann along the aisle this year. Just as well; she was always a rather odd presence there. 9:13: Did Shelby just say something about the weekend's controversy? 9:17: The speech is bound to begin eventually. 9:19: "We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before." (It's not "state of the union is strong," but it's in that spirit.) 9:20: "What is required now is for this country to pull together, confront boldly the challenges we face, and take responsibility for our future once more." 9:21: "It is only by understanding how we arrived at this moment that we'll be able to lift ourselves out of this predicament." Good idea. 9:22: "Well that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here." I think that was an applause line. 9:24: Hmm, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is only drawing applause from one half of the chamber. 9:26: "Because nobody messes with Joe." Cute. 9:28: That's a good explanation of why the the credit crisis matters. 9:29: Santelli pre-emption: "We have launched a housing plan that will help responsible families facing the threat of foreclosure lower their monthly payments and re-finance their mortgages. It's a plan that won't help speculators or that neighbor down the street who bought a house he could never hope to afford...." 9:31: "I intend to hold these banks fully accountable for the assistance they receive, and this time, they will have to clearly demonstrate how taxpayer dollars result in more lending for the American taxpayer. This time, CEOs won't be able to use taxpayer money to pad their paychecks or buy fancy drapes or disappear on a private jet. Those days are over." I hope he means it. 9:33: "I know how unpopular it is to be seen as helping banks right now, especially when everyone is suffering in part from their bad decisions. I promise you -- I get it." Keep repeating that. 9:34: "It's not about helping banks -- it's about helping people." It was worth saying twice, because it's what people need to hear. 9:38: Making the case for government intervention. It's an important case to make: "Government didn't supplant private enterprise; it catalyzed private enterprise. It created the conditions for thousands of entrepreneurs and new businesses to adapt and to thrive." 9:39: "I do not accept a future where the jobs and industries of tomorrow take root beyond our borders -- and I know you don't either. It is time for America to lead again." 9:41: Cap and trade? "I ask this Congress to send me legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy in America." 9:42: Recommitting to the auto industry: "We should not, and will not, protect them from their own bad practices. But we are committed to the goal of a re-tooled, re-imagined auto industry that can compete and win. Millions of jobs depend on it. Scores of communities depend on it. And I believe the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it." 9:43: Sobering healthcare numbers: "This is a cost that now causes a bankruptcy in America every thirty seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes. In the last eight years, premiums have grown four times faster than wages. And in each of these years, one million more Americans have lost their health insurance." 9:44: "Scary but true: Already, we have done more to advance the cause of health care reform in the last thirty days than we have in the last decade." 9:45: Healthcare reform is "a step we must take if we hope to bring down our deficit in the years to come.... The cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough." Expect to hear this a lot in the coming months. 9:46: "Health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year." That should resolve some lingering doubts about the president's commitment to the issue. 9:49: "Dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself, it's quitting on your country -- and this country needs and values the talents of every American." Good stuff. 9:50: That sounds pretty ambitious: "By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world." 9:52: Republicans, $5 trillion in eight years later, love talk about debt reduction. 9:54: Sorry, Halliburton: "We'll eliminate the no-bid contracts that have wasted billions in Iraq." 9:55: The benefit of the Bully Pulpit becomes clear: "If your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime." 9:56: Tax-free universal savings accounts? Is that new? 9:57: "For seven years, we have been a nation at war. No longer will we hide its price." 9:59: Message to the troops: "We honor your service, we are inspired by your sacrifice, and you have our unyielding support." 10:00: It's easy to say you support the troops, follow-through matters: "To keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned." 10:01: We've been waiting a long while to hear talk like this: "Living our values doesn't make us weaker, it makes us safer and it makes us stronger. And that is why I can stand here tonight and say without exception or equivocation that the United States of America does not torture." 10:04: Leonard Abess gave away how much? 10:06: "We are not quitters." Four simple words, one great message. 10:08: "Every American who is sitting here tonight loves this country and wants it to succeed. That must be the starting point for every debate we have in the coming months, and where we return after those debates are done." 10:09: Big wrap-up: "If we confront without fear the challenges of our time and summon that enduring spirit of an America that does not quit, then someday years from now our children can tell their children that this was the time when we performed, in the words that are carved into this very chamber, 'something worthy to be remembered.'" —Steve Benen 8:50 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (53)Comments
Hey! That guy's a pretty cool president :) Posted by: MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:06 PM | PERMALINKThe sight of Joe Biden back there instead of Dick Cheney is possibly more striking than Barack Obama having taken the podium. Posted by: Sam on February 24, 2009 at 9:06 PM | PERMALINKOh golly. I'm all teared up again. Posted by: LOL@MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:10 PM | PERMALINKI'm always struck by what an awkward and angry character Justice Silver is. Oops, I meant Thomas. Posted by: jprichva on February 24, 2009 at 9:17 PM | PERMALINK...drawing applause from one half of the chamber. One can only imagine what they were threatened with if they actually applauded. Bitches. Posted by: MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:23 PM | PERMALINKDoes Pelosi look like a giddy teenager going out on her first date......or is that just me? Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 9:29 PM | PERMALINKEr, uh; one wonders when Obama will begin doing what JFK actually did, him being a proto-typical neo-conservative by today's standards, and cut taxes on the rich which resulted in a 60s boom that lasted until the uber-dirigiste (gov't economic activity) wing of the Democratic Party held all three branches of government; and what Reagan did when we were in a WORSE recesssion and worked; and what George W. Bush did when we were in a more mild recession and worked (ended by a perfect storm of borrower deceit, dereliction, and their use of comfortable bankruptcy laws (~70-90% Democrats; unfortunately legal corporate pump-up stock short term, derive high salaries, and leave thrilled; ineffective Banking Committee supervision and action based on W's repeated warnings - the Democrats contolling Banking Regulation since 2006 and thus over 1/2 responsible for all that has happened since 2006 fiscally; a well-meant public policy that made home ownership too easy for the poor; and incredibly ignorant incentive structures put in place by banks to encourage employee scrutiny of potential borrowers, i.e., I think you get the point ... this crisis is not a product of W's policies but a one-off that has been brewing for decades). We've tried the stimulus spending; how about cutting marginal tax rates on our best job creators ... the super-intelligent, super-effective investors, super-effective managers, and super-entrepreneur job creators .... da, da, da ... The Richest 20% in the USA. See, it does not matter if Obama does or does not do this; history will deal the Democrats a permanent setback if they don't cut taxes on the rich ASAP. The Masked Defender PS Please respond using my epithet here; I'll check back in in a few hours. PPS I have no hostility; let's learn together by debating civilly. Posted by: The Masked Defender on February 24, 2009 at 9:34 PM | PERMALINKI was hoping he was going to say nobody messes with Joe the Vice President Posted by: pessullivan on February 24, 2009 at 9:34 PM | PERMALINKkspeck I was thinking that too. Many look perky. Exception: Dianne Feinstein who's either stoned or dead. Posted by: MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:35 PM | PERMALINKThroughout the campaign, hell ever since Obamer's 2004 gig, each time the dude makes a big speech, good things happen for him. I wanda if this time they will too. Posted by: ed on February 24, 2009 at 9:36 PM | PERMALINKDropping out of high school is quitting on your country. That's huge. Posted by: MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:41 PM | PERMALINKI can feel my wallet getting lighter with each passing minute. My god! Get your hands the hell out of my pocket! With the Teddy salute I just had a craving for Scotch and Water. Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 9:42 PM | PERMALINKkspeck, he just said: Your check's in the mail! But I'd gulp that scotch anyway. Posted by: MissMudd on February 24, 2009 at 9:48 PM | PERMALINKI think Biden's embarrassed to be sitting next to her. Less than $250000.....that certainly includes me but I don't believe a word of it. Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 9:49 PM | PERMALINKWell Kspeck, pour that drink and if you make over 250 large, open that damned wallet. Luv, Posted by: Keith G on February 24, 2009 at 9:50 PM | PERMALINKI think Biden's embarrassed to be sitting next to her. Less than $250000.....that certainly includes me but I don't believe a word of it. You probably don't understand it, republicans being innumerate and all. Posted by: Gonads on February 24, 2009 at 9:55 PM | PERMALINKRepublicans will start peeling away, as well they should. We're all in this together... Posted by: Detroit Dan on February 24, 2009 at 10:01 PM | PERMALINKAfter that speech, is anyone going to pay any attention to what Jindal has to say? Posted by: Decatur Dem on February 24, 2009 at 10:04 PM | PERMALINKThank goodness, the change I was hoping for. Since I'm just a real dummy, I've got to tune into Fox so they can tell me what it all meant. Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 10:06 PM | PERMALINKCongressmen are getting Obama's autograph?! Obama's great and all, but doesn't that strike anyone else as weird and out of place? Posted by: Christine on February 24, 2009 at 10:07 PM | PERMALINKI may listen to Jindal. It will be interesting to see if he responds intelligently. Two of the most prominent Republicans are now dark skinned. Some Republicans may be shocked... Posted by: Detroit Dan on February 24, 2009 at 10:09 PM | PERMALINKBumper sticker idea: We Are Not Quitters. God was it ever good to be inspired by a Presidential address again! Posted by: jpeckjr on February 24, 2009 at 10:12 PM | PERMALINKHappy with the speech overall. MSNBC took CNN's audience monitor thing, and it was completely useless. I wish networks would just drop that. Not sure about the personal savings accounts and Social Security reform, unless he means increasing the cap. Posted by: doubtful on February 24, 2009 at 10:14 PM | PERMALINKSince I'm just a real dummy, I've got to tune into Fox so they can tell me what it all meant. Sadly, KS, tuning into Fixed Noise will probably leave you less informed than before. I'll put it simply for you: if you make less than $250,000 a year, you will get a tax cut. Unless you are truly, earth-shakingly, mind-blowingly thick, you should understand that, unless you make more than $250,000, you will not pay more in taxes. Do you understand that? Maybe not, Across American, the scope of the recent political change is sinking in... Posted by: Detroit Dan on February 24, 2009 at 10:15 PM | PERMALINKAh, hell: coolest. President. Ever. -Z Posted by: Zorro on February 24, 2009 at 10:16 PM | PERMALINKI think using the same words as Bush - "we don't torture" - was a mistake. 'Cause that other guy - he was lying. And now Obama used the same exact words. Doesn't inspire confidence. Posted by: laym on February 24, 2009 at 10:16 PM | PERMALINKChristine...I've always thought it odd myself but it's not uncommon at all. Hell, the Dems unsed to get Bush's autograph just to see if he signed it 666. Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 10:16 PM | PERMALINKBobby Jindal sounds *exactly* like Kenneth the Page from "30 Rock." This may be the worst Republican response since Steve Largent. Posted by: TR on February 24, 2009 at 10:17 PM | PERMALINKCome on Zorro, quit being so thin skinned. Just asking though, do you really think that eventually that 250K figure will really stand the test of time. Off to Fox. Smile and be happy. You seem rather intolerent to me. Posted by: Kspeck3 on February 24, 2009 at 10:20 PM | PERMALINKJindal's sounds okay so far. He sounds like a Democrat. Oops. Now he's starting in on "bureaucrats" and dissing government. Lower taxes, blah, blah, blah Posted by: Detroit Dan on February 24, 2009 at 10:21 PM | PERMALINKJindal doesn't sound intelligent, I'm afraid. Oh well, I'd rate him on a par with Huckabee. Better than Palin, McCain, Bush, and Romney, but basically offering more of the same... Posted by: Detroit Dan on February 24, 2009 at 10:23 PM | PERMALINKDid he just basically say through anecdote not to rely on government and to break the law if you felt like it was the right thing to do? Now he's touting his 'success' in LA? While they're currently billions in the red? This is really their best? Democrats haven't got a damn thing to worry about. Posted by: doubtful on February 24, 2009 at 10:23 PM | PERMALINKJindal's speech is nothing but a collection of GOP's greatest hits + lies. Mag-lev from Disneyworld to Las Vegas? Disproven many times over. Tax cuts solve everything? Disproven many times over. Free-market health care reform? Proven to be a disaster many times over. He accuses Obama of wanting to cut military pay? Did he even listen to Obama's speech? I'd bet not. Jindal's basically a male, Indian, Sarah Palin. -Z Posted by: Zorro on February 24, 2009 at 10:26 PM | PERMALINKHaha, yeah, LA turned their back on corruption. Threw it out like a dirty diaper, right Vitter? Posted by: doubtful on February 24, 2009 at 10:26 PM | PERMALINKEr, uh; one wonders when Obama will begin doing what JFK actually did, him being a proto-typical neo-conservative by today's standards, and cut taxes on the rich which resulted in a ...... top marginal rate about 75% !!! YES, I'm waiting for Pres. Obama to propose that. Posted by: gkerby on February 24, 2009 at 10:27 PM | PERMALINK Zorro, It's like they're just pretending the last two election cycles didn't exist. They're just children with their hands in their ears shouting 'la, la, la, la....' Posted by: doubtful on February 24, 2009 at 10:27 PM | PERMALINKTax free savings accounts: stolen from Canada, enacted last year and came into effect in January. It is a way for banks to build capital, after all. And it has a side effect of encouraging savings, which is actually what consumers need to be doing instead of assuming debt. Posted by: lisainvan on February 24, 2009 at 10:31 PM | PERMALINKWe've tried the stimulus spending... That's right, one week of stimulus spending hasn't solved the entire global financial crisis -- better go right back to the failed policies of the past 30 years! Posted by: Mnemosyne on February 24, 2009 at 10:54 PM | PERMALINKI know they don't bury them deep in LA, but couldn't they at least dig one up from this century for a republican response? Posted by: Schtick on February 24, 2009 at 10:57 PM | PERMALINKI saw a post that sort of listed a bunch of words relating to history, economics, and whatnot. There weren't any complete sentences and it really didn't make a whole lot of sense. It didn't seem to be describing anything in American history although it used a lot of US names like JFK and Reagan. Could someone tell me what the author was trying to say, please? Posted by: Texas Aggie on February 24, 2009 at 11:05 PM | PERMALINKJindal would make more money narrating Disney movies. What a condescending tone. Perhaps his mistook himself for Mr. Rogers. Posted by: blackfootgirl on February 24, 2009 at 11:06 PM | PERMALINKDid anyone else noticed how Sen. Burris kept following Obama when the President was autographing copies of the speach and try to make his way out of the chamber? Was Burris trying to get some attention from Obama, who seemed to be avoiding him? Or was Burris just angling to be in the same frame as the President? Either way, the man seems to have a pathetically over-inflated sense of his own importance. Still, he'll get to fill in another line on his grave monument, so maybe he's a happy man. Posted by: Michael J on February 24, 2009 at 11:06 PM | PERMALINKI think comparing Jindal to Mr. Rogers is unfair. At least Mr. Rogers was supposed to be talking to 5-year-olds. Posted by: Mnemosyne on February 24, 2009 at 11:42 PM | PERMALINKThe universal savings accounts aren't new, Steve. That's a revival of Clinton's Social Security "plus" that the GOP fought more than a decade ago. Posted by: SocraticGadfly on February 25, 2009 at 1:02 AM | PERMALINKThe Masked Defender-- /sarcasm Listen, we here realize that you in the GOP have no new ideas. You all use every economic crisis as an excuse to give rich people more money while screwing the remaining 95% of us with mountains of debt (FACT: 70% of our debt was rang up while a Bush or Reagan was in office). And despite you all being proven wrong time and time and time again, you keep acting as if you're policies work, in spite of reality. It's simple: If someone can't deal with a piddly 3% tax increase on income above $250K, that someone is too fucking stupid to have that much money. Posted by: Mark D on February 25, 2009 at 1:28 PM | PERMALINK
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