TPMDC Saturday Roundup

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Obama Boasts of Bipartisan Support For Health Care Reform — And Shames The Opposition
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama proudly touted the support for health care from prominent Republicans such as Bob Dole, Bill Frist, Mike Bloomberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Louis Sullivan and Tommy Thompson — and contrasted this with the opposition from other Republicans in Washington:

“These distinguished leaders understand that health insurance reform isn’t a Democratic issue or a Republican issue, but an American issue that demands a solution,” said Obama. “Still, there are some in Washington today who seem determined to play the same old partisan politics, working to score political points, even if it means burdening this country with an unsustainable status quo.”

LeMieux: Dem Health Care Solutions Worse Than The Problems
In this weekend’s Republican address, the recently appointed Sen. George LeMieux (R-FL) attacked the Democratic health care proposals as being worse than the current problems:

“We in the Congress have a duty to tackle this problem, but the solution we settle upon should not be rushed, and the solution should not be worse than the problem we are trying to solve,” said LeMieux. “Right now, Senate Democrats and White House officials are behind closed doors crafting their final health care overhaul proposal. While the Democrats in Congress have not yet provided the actual language of their proposed law, we do know enough for Americans to be concerned.”

Obama Speaking To Gay Rights Dinner
President Obama will be speaking tonight at the Human Rights Campaign national dinner, at 8 p.m. ET. Vice President Biden and his wife Jill are spending the weekend in Massachusetts and New York, and do not have any scheduled public events this weekend.

Axelrod Warns Against Quick Decisions On Afghanistan
White House senior adviser David Axelrod spoke in Lincoln, Nebraska, and warned against a quick decision on Afghanistan. “I think we all ought to be grateful that on a matter of this gravity, we have a president who is giving real thought to the right way forward,” said Axelrod. He also added: “We’ve tried it the other way and it didn’t work.”

Palin Spokeswoman: Bob McDonnell Once Wanted Her Help, But Not Anymore
Sarah Palin spokeswoman Meg Stapleton told the Washington Post that Virginia GOP gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell personally asked for Palin’s help campaigning this past Summer — but that by August, Palin’s staff was notified that her help was no longer wanted. “The Governor, SarahPAC, and I have all communicated to the candidate, the campaign and to the RGA the Governor’s continued willingness to assist in any way possible – even as recently as two weeks ago,” said Stapleton.

Barney Frank: Gay Rights Marsh “A Waste of Time At Best”
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) sharply criticized this weekend’s gay rights march in Washington this weekend, declaring it “a waste of time at best” and saying that time would be better spent by gay rights activists lobbying their elected officials. “The only thing they’re going to be putting pressure on is the grass,” said Frank.

DNC Ad Touts Republican Support For Health Care Reform
The Democratic National Committee has a new national TV ad, echoing President Obama in touting the support from prominent Republicans for health insurance reform and shaming the majority of Republicans who oppose it:

“But some Republicans are siding with the insurance companies, and just saying ‘no’ to health insurance reform,” the announcer says. “Tell Republicans, just saying ‘no’ isn’t a solution”

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