TPMDC Saturday Roundup

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Obama: Health Care Reform Can’t Wait, Must Include Public Option
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama answered his critics on health care — and said that any plan he signs must include a public option:

“I don’t believe that government can or should run health care. But I also don’t think insurance companies should have free reign to do as they please,” said Obama. “That’s why any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans – including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest – and choose what’s best for your family.”

Kyl: Health Care “Needs To Be Done Right, Rather Than Done Quickly”
In this weekend’s Republican YouTube, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) attacked the Democrats’ health care proposals:

“But the President and some Democrats insist we must rush this plan through. Why? Because the more Americans know about it, the more they oppose it. Something this important needs to be done right, rather than done quickly,” said Kyl. “We know Americans would prefer us to work together to ensure access to affordable quality health care for all. But Americans do not want a government takeover of health care that will jeopardize their current coverage, ration care, and create mountains of new debt and higher taxes.”

No Obama Or Biden Events
President Obama is spending today at Camp David, and will return to the White House on Sunday morning. Vice President Biden is spending the day in Wilmington, Delaware, and does not have any scheduled public events.

McConnell Opposes Sotomayor, But Three GOPers Announce Support
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced that he opposes the confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. At the same time, however, Sotomayor has picked up the support of three Republican Senators, virtually assuring that she will be confirmed: Richard Lugar of Indiana, Mel Martinez of Florida, and Olympia Snowe of Maine.

Politico: Left And Right Both Let Down By Sotomayor Hearings
The Politico reports that some people on both the left and right are disappointed with the Sotomayor confirmation hearings. On the left, there is a feeling that an opportunity was missed to forcefully advocate for liberal judicial philosophies. And on the right, there is a sense that Republican Senators didn’t go tougher on her, and that there isn’t much of a fight going on.

Hillary Visits India, Calls For Tougher Action Against Terrorism
Sec. of State Hillary Clinton is on a three-day visit to India, and met today in Mumbai with survivors of the terrorist attack from this past November. Hillary called for greater international cooperation in combating such threats. “The bottom line for me is, our government is committed in the fight against terrorism,” said Clinton, adding that the U.S. expects others “to take strong action to prevent terrorism from taking root on their soil and making sure that terrorists are not trained and deployed — and we believe that around the world.”

Vulnerable House Democrats Are Well-Funded
CQ reports that key House Democrats from vulnerable districts are banking big war chests early in the cycle, with the top 42 protected incumbents bringing in an average of nearly half a million dollars. This ranges from Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) at $1.2 million on the high end, to Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC) at $214,000 on the low end.

Obama Remembers Walter Cronkite
President Obama and CBS have released this YouTube statement, remembering Walter Cronkite:

“In an era before blogs and e-mail, cell phones and cable, he was the news,” said Obama. “Walter invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down.”

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