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December 15, 2009 6:46 PM

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Senate Democrats Grumble in Meeting With President

By: Chip Reid
Topics: Health Care

(CBS)

President Obama spent most of his time trying to inspire Senate Democrats at today's White House meeting.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, one of the president's closest friends in the Senate, told me the president talked about what a "dramatic step forward" the bill is.

He said the president told him the bill gives people "a fighting chance against the health care companies." Mr. Obama added that "we can't miss this opportunity," according to Durbin.

Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota said the president sought to inspire him with an invocation of the value of service. The president said, according to Conrad, that the bill represented "the reason people have come" to Washington – "to make a difference for the country."

But when the president opened the meeting up for questions and comments, he heard no small amount of grumbling from liberals disconsolate over the apparent demise of the public option, according to one Democratic senator.

At one point, after a frustrated senator decried how little fun it is to push the bill through, the president, smiling broadly as he left the meeting, said this: "That's exactly what you need to do -- have some fun."

He told senators to go home over recess and explain to their constituents all the great things that are in the bill -- and to revel in this historic moment.

"Have some fun," the president repeated.

(CBS)

Chip Reid is CBS News' chief White House correspondent.

Chip Reid
Chip Reid is CBS News' national correspondent.

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by th9876 December 16, 2009 9:09 AM EST: Right, you all up in DC go out and have fun. Obama, you have fun too, after all you are good at having fun if nothing else. Have fun on the backs of the rest of us. No need to take this seriously, you have all the healthcare you could ever want or need, paid for by people you obviously care nothing about. You all go out and have a great time, stop by United Heath Care while you are at it and pop the champagne.; Reply to this comment


by cleric60 December 16, 2009 7:54 AM EST: At one point, after a frustrated senator decried how little fun it is to push the bill through, the president, smiling broadly as he left the meeting, said this: "That's exactly what you need to do -- have some fun." comments our President. FUN! We are talking about the future of health care reform in our nation and he commands his party members to "have fun". Our we in a medical crisis presently? Maybe we should talk to foreigners who come to the USA for their health care needs. This national health care reform bill is not really about covering the uninsured; but about government control over the lives/health care needs of our citizens. Do you really think members of Congress, who already have their own health care program, really care about the average US citizen in the mid-west lets say.
I'm against a national health care bill; but I believe that the federal government can empower our States to promote health care reform on a local level. I still am wondering where are federal government got their facts/figures about how many citizens have died because of the lack of insurance?; Reply to this comment

by stormerF2 December 16, 2009 7:45 AM EST

It sounds like Obama just wants a bill passed and does not care what is in it?Just so he gets a health care reform bill,Or a bill with that title on it passed even if it does nothing the lower health care costs.What is the rush it will not take effect for (4) years,they need to do it right and stop the rush,rush,rush to pass a bad bill.

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by th9876 December 16, 2009 9:17 AM EST: That's right. Sign anything and then pretend it is reform. It is a bad bill and needs to be thrown in the trash.

by ky7474 December 15, 2009 9:24 PM EST

Obviously, Big insurance controls the dems also. Will any have the courage to kill this worthless bill and go reconcilliation?

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by th9876 December 16, 2009 9:18 AM EST: No.

by jbrodhead December 15, 2009 8:25 PM EST

Just sorry I could not be in Washington DC today, to show my appreciation for the jackass party!

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by jbrodhead December 15, 2009 10:12 PM EST: @NoWayJose9999

Oh, were you in office, during the GWB administration?

by jbrodhead December 15, 2009 8:20 PM EST

Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota said the president sought to inspire him with an invocation of the value of service. The president said, according to Conrad, that the bill represented "the reason people have come" to Washington ? "to make a difference for the country."

Why doesn't EL Presidente explain the Constitutionality of their BS agenda? Because they can NOT!

If they want to make a difference, get rid of the massive debtload, so America can return to a prosperous society!

Amendment 10 and Amendment 13 are the golden handcuffs, which will bring these jerks down for good.

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by jbrodhead December 15, 2009 10:08 PM EST: @NoWayJose9999 How the hell do you know I didn't. Jerk!
Now the debtload is what... tripled? In eleven stinking months!

I want to stop the "FUTURE", but you seem to want to stop the past...
How's that working for you?

by 2012EOD December 15, 2009 8:18 PM EST

What a bunch of fools and hypocrits.

Hoax and Chains!

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by jbrodhead December 15, 2009 10:18 PM EST: mmm mmmm mmm... Adolf Hussein Obamanation...


by starving1968-1 December 15, 2009 7:49 PM EST: This legislation, while it can be improved upon later, sucks aasss in it's current form. The conservatives on both sides of the aisle, have ONCE AGAIN stuck it to the American people, by watering down this critically needed legislation.

Harry Reid should have forced the conservatives to filibuster this bill until next election day. Their tune would have changed REAL FAST once the polls showed they were going to be white washed out of office.; Reply to this comment


by gboyd41 December 15, 2009 7:27 PM EST: Yes, Senators, go have fun with this bill. Didn't I hear stories this bill would pass before Christmas? But, Senators, go have fun. Explain this bill over the recess. After all, it went over so well the first time! Nothing like playing on success!; Reply to this comment


by brianbwb-2009 December 15, 2009 7:23 PM EST: Perhaps the Democrats should explain the great things that are not in the bill, like a public option, and explain why they are not.

Perhaps the president should also explain why the great things, like a public option, are not in the bill.

This would go a long way towards building the public sentiment for expunging the last of the neoconderthals from government.; Reply to this comment

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