March 12, 2010 9:46 AM

Obama Delays Asia Trip to Press for Health Care Bill

By
Mark Knoller
Topics
Health Care ,
Foreign Policy

Barack Obama (Credit: AP)
Acknowledging that the House won't meet his March 18th deadline for passing the Senate version of his health care bill, President Obama is delaying his Asia/Pacific trip until March 21st.

That'll give him more time to pressure reluctant Democrats to cast their votes in support of the embattled legislation.

The change in travel plans was announced Friday morning on Twitter by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. He also announced that neither First Lady Michelle Obama nor daughters Malia and Sasha would accompany the president on the trip as previously scheduled.

It would have given Mr. Obama a chance to show his family where he lived as a boy during four years in Indonesia. His trip also takes him to Australia and the U.S. territory of Guam.

But he concluded he needed to delay his departure if he's to win a House health care vote.

"See, they just think I'm an idiot because I'm doing something that's not immediately popular," Mr. Obama said Wednesday of those opposed to his year-long effort to enact an overhaul of health care coverage in America.

He said he was "tired of talking about it," but it's clear he'll have to do a lot more talking if he's to win passage of the plan in the House. It's also clear to Democratic leaders they still don't have the votes.

And the president has shown himself to be indefatigable when it comes to his health care objectives.

"I don't know about the politics," he said Wednesday in his 52nd health care speech since taking office, "but I know it is the right thing to do, and that's why I'm fighting so hard to get it done."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Health Care

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.


by jgg000101 March 12, 2010 2:12 PM EST
geez, why don't they just fly his statue here so he and his family can see it.
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by StevenA5017d March 12, 2010 1:59 PM EST
I'm sad, I was so looking forward to seeing the 97-degree bow from Obama to the Indonesian President. Shucks!
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by StevenA5017d March 12, 2010 1:58 PM EST
He's obsessed with PASSING a bill, NOT improving healthcare. This is all about his ego and power and permamnently growing government. Obama could not care less if this bill helps anyone.
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by Stevenapoli7 March 12, 2010 1:50 PM EST
He's taking a break from the America Sucks World Tour.
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by IndepTex20 March 12, 2010 12:24 PM EST
by gig76 March 12, 2010 12:09 PM EST
........ Do you know that most patients think that if they leave without a prescription, they wasted their time and money at the doctor's office. So, physicians just give a prescription in order for the patient not to leave empty handed..........

And I thought all these years I left the doctors office with a prescription that would treat my illness!? At least it worked for me!
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by Stevenapoli7 March 12, 2010 2:01 PM EST
A lot of patients demand antibiotics for the common cold even though antibiotics are useless against viruses. People are stupid. Eben when it's explained to them.
by jgg000101 March 12, 2010 12:19 PM EST
I thought jobs were keeping him awake at night.
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by gig76 March 12, 2010 12:09 PM EST
Republicans want to bank roll this deal to spin in their direction for their benefits. They are fearful they will be cut off from insurance and pharmaceutal payrolls. Get educated America. Health Care insurance Reform is beneficial to lowering the deficit, and lowering Americans' pocketbooks from high cost health care premiums. Why do you think you should pay such high costs for medical care? Americans are addicted to care. Every sneeze, each cough constitutes a visit to the doctor's office or ER when it really doesn't. Start living with preventive concepts, and be well. Really, it's okay to be WELL. Stop pharmaceutical dependencies and addicitions that aren't necessary. Do you know that most patients think that if they leave without a prescription, they wasted their time and money at the doctor's office. So, physicians just give a prescription in order for the patient not to leave empty handed. It's a gimmick. And Republicans want American patients to go fo this gimmick hook, line, and sinker.
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by gig76 March 12, 2010 12:03 PM EST
Let's scrap all Medicaid from all Republicans and see how many of them will spend their own monies for their loved ones in nursing homes, children with disabilities, and so forth. Too many Republicans get away with not spending his or her own monies, but rely on government to take care of family members. It's hypocrisy at the highest levels in America. Republicans are takers, therefore, take away their benefits if they don't want to go along with this health care insurance reform. Start making Republicans pay their own way and stop using government monies for their personal gain. Vote against Republicans and vote Democrats 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and onward. Keep America viable with Democrats who care about American values! Vote Democrats!
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by cleantheDCcesspool March 12, 2010 11:13 AM EST
I thought the Great O told us "Everything that could be said has been said". Please, oh Great One, go to Asia. Just leave.
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by IndepTex20 March 12, 2010 11:55 AM EST
And stay there..............forever!
by Zann-Zel March 12, 2010 12:48 PM EST
I thought the Great O told us "Everything that could be said has been said". Please, oh Great One, go to Asia. Just leave.
========
Oh is that where this war is gonna be Tex?
by Empire-George- March 12, 2010 11:11 AM EST
"It would have given Mr. Obama a chance to show his family where he lived as a boy during four years in Indonesia."

The country is in crisis and again, he thinks the taxpayer should fund his family vacation to "show his family where he lived as a boy"......I'm sure the mother-in-law is coming free too, right ?

of course leftists, attack anyone who notices these things.
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