Jarrett: Obama ‘Not Demanding’ Public Option
Appearing on Meet The Press, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett made it clear that President Obama is not demanding that a public option must be included in the health care bill: “He’s not demanding that it’s in there. He thinks it’s the best possible choice. But I think, David [Gregory], let’s not underestimate how much progress we’ve made. The fact that there’s agreement on so much means that we are right on the brink of delivering for the American people, and that’s a positive sign for our country.”
Specter: GOP ‘A Party Of Obstructionism’ With No Plan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) blasted his former party: “On the Republican side, it is no, no, no — a party of obstructionism. You have responsible Republicans who had been in the Senate — like Howard Baker, Bob Dole, or Bill Frist — who say Republicans ought to cooperate. Well, they’re not cooperating … Take a look at the absence of any Republican plan.”
Rahm: Afghanistan Must Be ‘Legitimate And Credible’ Partner
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said the important questions in Afghanistan are not only troop levels but also: “Do you have a credible Afghan partner for this process — that can provide the security and the type of services that the Afghan people need?” Emanuel said that the end result of the disputed election must be “a legitimate and credible” government.
Rahm Blames GOP For Deficits
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel blamed the Republicans for the current record $1.4 trillion deficit, saying they had abandoned the “fiscal discipline of the 90’s” and passed multiple tax cuts and spending increases: “That led to $5 trillion of red ink run up — the biggest red ink run up in the shortest period of time in American history,” Emanuel said. “Literally over half the nation’s debt has accumulated in the last eight years.”
Axelrod: Fox News ‘Not Really A News Station’
Appearing on This Week, White House senior adviser David Axelrod declared that Fox News is “not really a news station.” “We’re gonna appear on their shows,” Axelrod said. “We’re gonna participate — but understanding that they represent a point of view.”
Rahm: Fox News ‘Not A News Organization So Much As It Has A Perspective’
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel explained the administration’s opinion on Fox News
“It’s not so much a conflict with Fox News,” said Emanuel. “I suppose the way to look at it and the way the president looks at it and we look at is: it’s not a news organization so much as it has a perspective. And that’s a different take.”
Kyl: ‘I’m Not Sure It’s A Fact’ That Lack Of Health Insurance Causes People To Die
Appearing on Meet The Press, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) took issue with reports that people die for lack of health insurance: “I’m not sure that it’s a fact that more and more people die because they don’t have health insurance. But because they don’t have health insurance, the care is not delivered in the best and most efficient way.”
Kerry: Afghan Election Affects U.S. Plan
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that the disputed Afghanistan election must be resolved before any decision is made on whether to send more American troops: “I don’t see how President Obama can make a decision about the committing of our additional forces or even the further fulfillment of our mission that’s here today without an adequate government in place or knowledge about what that government’s going to be.”
