Dem Congressman: Obama Willing To Be One-Term President Over Health Care
Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) told a local town hall meeting that President Obama told him he would deal with health care — even if it cost Obama re-election. Said Boswell: “And he said, ‘No, if it makes me a one-term president, I’m going to, we’re going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on.’ I respected that very much.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and the First Lady will depart from the White House at 10:40 a.m. ET, arriving at 2:30 p.m. ET in Belgrade, Montana. Obama will hold a town hall at 2:55 p.m. ET, on health insurance reform.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend the funeral of Eunice Kennedy Shriver in Hyannis, Massachusetts. He will then return in the afternoon to Wilmington, Delaware, where he has no public events scheduled.
Bill Clinton To Netroots: Obama Needs Your Help
Former President Bill Clinton spoke at the Netroots Nation conference last night, attacking the Republicans for using “crazy” scare tactics such as the “death panel” smear — and urging the crowd to support President Obama on health care. “The president needs your help and the cause needs your help,” Clinton said. “We have to preserve this progressive majority now.”
NYT: False “Death Panel” Rumor Has Familiar Roots
The New York Times reports on how the “death panel” smear has originated from the highest ranks of conservative commentary, who had previously defeated Bill Clinton health care in the 1990s — and how its tenacity has taken reform campaigners by surprised. “I guess what surprised me is the ferocity, it’s much stronger than I expected,” said AARP executive vice president John Rother. “It’s people who are ideologically opposed to Mr. Obama, and this is the opportunity to weaken the president.”
Webb To Go To Burma
Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) will visit Burma and meet with military ruler Than Shwe, the first time a high-ranking American politician has done so. Webb could potentially use the trip to press for the release of John W. Yettaw, an imprisoned American who had attempted to meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
$57 Million Spent On Health Care TV Ads This Year
CNN reports that $57 million has been spent on TV ads about health care policy so far in 2009. This includes $24 million on ads in support of President Obama’s proposals, $9.6 million against it, and the remainder from groups that have not taken a clear political side.
The Hill: Pork-Barrel Spending Increases In 2009
The Hill reports that earmark spending has been on the rise this year. Earmarks added up to $19.9 billion in 2009, compared to $18.3 billion in 2008. Although earmarks were kept out of President Obama’s stimulus bill, they nevertheless were put into other spending measures.
