Obama: I'm Not Scared of Canadians

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: White House

(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

It's official: President Obama is not afraid of Canadians.

Asked at a North American summit in Mexico today about the fact that the Canadian health care system has "become a political football" in the United States during the debate over health care, Mr. Obama said he expects "Canadians will continue to get dragged in by those who oppose reform."

"I don't find Canadians particularly scary, but I guess some of the opponents of reform think that they make a good boogeyman," the president said at a press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Television ads from opponents of the president's efforts have featured a Canadian woman saying she would have died from a brain tumor had she had to rely on the Canadian government for health care, because it would have made her wait too long for treatment. (The claim was called misleading by independent analysts.)

"I've said that the Canadian model works for Canada," Mr. Obama said in discussing the two country's systems today. "It would not work for the United States, in part simply because we've evolved differently."

"We have a employer-based system and a private-based health care system that stands side-by-side with Medicare and Medicaid and our Veterans Administration health care system," he continued. "And so, we've got to develop a uniquely American approach to this problem."

The president went on to say that attempts to use criticism of the Canadian system as a weapon against his reform efforts are "a mistake."

"And I suspect that once we get into the fall and people look at the actual legislation that's being proposed, that more sensible and reasoned arguments will emerge," he said. "And we're going to get -- we're going to get this passed."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by jhenry1208 August 12, 2009 4:30 AM EDT: That is correct, Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify

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by trogers2259 August 11, 2009 9:49 PM EDT: Ummmm... did he REALLY say that? Is this really an American President saying these words - this is scary stuff!; Reply to this comment

by guyfrompa46 August 11, 2009 7:25 AM EDT

Obama should just read the teleprompter. When he speaks on his own he shows us what a complete moron he really is.

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by pasmalltown August 11, 2009 7:57 AM EDT: And what are your thoughts about Sarah Palin "speak"?


by azure13 August 11, 2009 8:13 AM EDT: Exactly what did he say that deserves your comment?

"I don't find Canadians particularly scary, but I guess some of the opponents of reform think that they make a good boogeyman,"

Whoop de doo.

by michaelm07 August 11, 2009 6:24 AM EDT

Yeah, yeah funny comment Barry. You are just a comedian aren't you. Was this another sideways slap at the American people and apology for the U.S.

Either he just doesn't get it or, he doesn't care what anyone thinks and has his own agenda. My bet is the latter. I hope all the fools who voted for him are happy with what they see. There are always diehard koolaid drinkers, but I bet a ton of people regret their votes for that joker.

To Hell with Obama Hellcare and I hope there are a lot of Congressmen and Senators out of a job in Novemeber 2010. I only hope we can make Obama a lame duck and then fire him too in 2012. I never ever thought I would see someone sink farther than Carter - truth is stranger than fiction, eh?

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by pasmalltown August 11, 2009 7:17 AM EDT: So far I've read comments damning Obama's healthcare reform, yet very few on what a reasonable alternative might look like - what's your plan look like, big shot! You want him out in 2012, and some even suggest impeachment is the answer, but 2012 is not here yet. You have the right to critisize, but please don't condemn anything until "the opera's over and the fat lady has sung". And most importantly, if you wait until then to condemn your just another "Monday morning quarterback" with nothing useful to say.


by 911SRVIVR August 11, 2009 5:04 AM EDT: I don't get why so many people are afraid of just getting an extra option to the health care system. Nothing is really changing except that a new company is coming (the government option). And has any of you fraidy cats bothered to even ask a Canadian personally about what their system is like (I mean one who's lived in the US and in Canada for long periods of time that actually knows what they're talking about). Instead of getting 4th hand information from tv, why don't you just ask a canadian on facebook or something. And a Canadian will also tell you that you can get private insurance on top of your public insurance so that you get more benefits. YOU ARE NOT A PRISONER OF YOUR GOVERNMENT which you are now as long as you don't inform yourself properly.; Reply to this comment


by radicalc-2009 August 11, 2009 12:18 AM EDT: Can you imagine Ronald Reagan saying, "I don't find the Canadians particulary scary." How about calling the Russians an "Evil Empire", he called it like it was. I guess the Canadians are glad he's not scared...; Reply to this comment


by radicalc-2009 August 11, 2009 12:18 AM EDT: Can you imagine Ronald Reagan saying, "I don't find the Canadians particulary scary." How about calling the Russians an "Evil Empire", he called it like it was. I guess the Canadians are glad he's not scared...; Reply to this comment

by wdh3007 August 10, 2009 11:36 PM EDT

"I don't find Canadians particularly scary,"-Obama

What does this statement have to do with anything much less healthcare. I'm not Canadian but this seems to be another stupid comment from our fraud in chief about our Canadian neighbors to the north.

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by 911SRVIVR August 11, 2009 5:06 AM EDT: Obviously you are ill informed and can't read. And since you obviously like fox news, I guess you also have a hearing problem. They constantly bash the Canadian Health care system.


by pasmalltown August 11, 2009 7:23 AM EDT: Yes, alas the only "stupid comment" here is your's, wdh3007. Did you not read this article or just the headline?


by Mr_H August 10, 2009 8:15 PM EDT: I do not remember anyone saying Canadians were scary.

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by bcpats August 10, 2009 5:44 PM EDT: LibsarelikeJuveniles: - - You are a quite wrong, when you said "There is no national health care plan in Canada, every province has their own and rigidly protects it and keeps the feds out of it.
There is considerable variation across the provinces/territories as to the extent to which such costs as outpatient prescription drugs, physical therapy, long-term care, home care, dental care and even ambulance services are covered, but apart from that....Canada has a federally sponsored, publicly funded Medicare system, with most services provided by the private sector. Each province may opt out, though none currently do. Canada's system is known as a single payer system.; Reply to this comment