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August 11, 2009 7:48 AM

Obama Hopes for "Civilized" Town Hall

Posted by Alex Sundby
(CBS)
President Obama heads to Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday for a town-hall meeting on the health-care legislation still pending in Congress. Protesters plan to voice their opposition for the Democrats' plan outside the meeting and could possibly bring the kinds of disruptions found at similar meetings for members of Congress inside the gym at Portsmouth High School.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told CBS' "The Early Show" Anchor Harry Smith Tuesday how Mr. Obama would respond should anyone disrupt this afternoon's town hall.

"I think what the president will do is turn to that person and probably ask them to be civilized and give them an answer to their question," Gibbs said.

Gibbs noted he's attended more than 500 town-hall meetings Mr. Obama hosted throughout his political career.

"We've been to a lot of meetings where people didn't agree with us, but the tradition of a town-hall meeting is to give people information so that they can make a decision about a policy that impacts their lives," Gibbs said. "I know the president is excited about engaging the public again."

Such disruptions prompted top House Democrats to respond. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called the disruptions "un-American" in an op-ed for USA Today.

Smith asked whether Mr. Obama expects Congress to deliver a health care plan by Columbus Day (Oct. 12).

"The president hopes he has a bill on his desk sometime this fall that he can sign and begin to put the insurance companies and the health care system back on the side of middle class America," Gibbs said.
Tags:
Obama ,
health care ,
town hall meeting ,
disruptions ,
Robert Gibbs ,
The Early Show ,
protesters
Topics:
Health Care
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Add a Comment See all 89 Comments
by Professor_Zoom August 11, 2009 11:21 AM EDT
What is the big deal? Can't liberals, conservatives, and independents agree that the insurance and drug companies need to be regulated? Can't we agree that there needs to be more competition in the market. I don't care which way you lean politically, but these companies are screwing us. And even if we don't like it we still have to accept it because we don't have many options to choose from. If they were tightly regulated, and not allowed to pull the crap that they pull, then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess.
Reply to this comment
by pasmalltown August 11, 2009 10:51 AM EDT
LibsDontMakeSense August 11, 2009 10:16AM EDT -

Nice story and I'm happy for you, but there are a lot of Americans not as fortunate as you AND this story is two years old... You're welcome to stick with the staus quo if you wish, but your viewpoint/situation, what have you, is similar to the mood on Capitol Hill and White House. They have ALL the healthcare they will ever need ("I've got mine, and I'm not too concerned whether you get your's") and it is THAT attitude that's holding up a concensus on healthcare reform. They can afford to take a month long vacation, let the "have's" and "have not's" argue, fight, hurl insults at one another - muddy the waters and pretend they're doing something by having "townhall" meetings. If healthcare reform is/was(?) so essential and a "burning" issue, then why did Congress elect to convene until September? Shouldn't they be working on a compromise as we speak?
Reply to this comment
by endurorob August 11, 2009 10:41 AM EDT
Joe_NY_15 August 11, 2009 10:29 AM EDT

This will give you an idea of how the left views life,
"we need to discourage doctors from extending life" because of costs to society.....

WOW.....so much for respecting life of the elderly


Now you know why there is a provision for end of life counseling. And I believe Obamas first choice for HHS secretary, Tom Daschle, had this same view of the elderly. He may have had to pick a different HHS secretary but I have no doubt the vision has not changed.
Reply to this comment
by hamiltongrad August 11, 2009 10:37 AM EDT
ANSWER is to EXPAND MEDICAID AND MEDICAL SERVICES. PERIOD. And see what happens.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 11:15 AM EDT
Sure..... the typical republican't idea of throwing more money at every problem as we saw during the bush years, and not attacking the real problems of this "cesspool of waste and abuse" by the for-profit insurance company middlemen that provide no health care services, and doctors that get paid for quantity and not quality and innovation!

We already spend $2.5 Trillion or 18% of GDP on this health care debacle -- double what any other country in the world spends -- so we need true health care reform so that 1 million Americans are not declaring bankruptcy every year due to medical expenses, that 18,000 Americans don't needlessly die each year due to lack of health care and that 100,000 Americans don't die each year due to hospital mistakes!
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:34 AM EDT
bfjones626
"When the hospital/pharma/insurance companies are forced to compete with the government run public option (something akin to Medicare I hope), then costs will come down, coverage and quality will go up and the Republicans will be seen as the Party of NO and on the wrong side of history once again."
**********************

endurorob
"Government run health care will nt create competition it will drive out the private sector."
***********************


Actually robbie, this just shows you're just parroting the usual foxnewsus propagandus from the millionaire talking heads that could care less about health care reform for average Americans.

The for-profit insurance companies saw profits soar 500% from 2000 to 2008, by denying coverage to their insured and dropping others by raising their premiums by incredible amounts -- all due to NO COMPETITION or regulation in the republican't "free market."

WAKE-UP! The republican'ts had years of majority rule claiming to want to lower health care costs, while sitting back and watching the premiums soar with middlemen insurance company profits soar.

Fact is......the for-profit insurance companies regulate care to increase profits and need true competition, since they provide NO HEALTH CARE -- just make health decisions that should be made by physicians and patients!

I welcome health care reform and competition for a change!
Reply to this comment
by hamiltongrad August 11, 2009 10:33 AM EDT
Free societies are not perfect.

BUT...Freedom ! .

The LEFT wants UTOPIA - IT WANTS to redistritube wealth, and services, leveling, rather than CREATING wealth. The LEFT wants to take away your FREEDOM.



That is why we are not getting a Reagan or Bush TAX CUT, just the opposite. No, you get less money.

That is why Obama and crew want to take what we have in HEALTH CARE and LEVEL it.

The truth is, the very poor and the illegals get the same health care, the same cardiac stints, the same fix for a broken skull, or cancers, sure.... they may have to wait in big rooms and ERs.


Obama does not know anything about health care in America.

IT IS NOT BRAIN SURGERY ///////////////////////


Slow down. consider putting all the people in certain categories on MEDICAL, it is already in place system that mostly works. See what happens.

This debate is not about health care, it is about your freedom and Utopian thinkers.
Reply to this comment
by hamiltongrad August 11, 2009 10:21 AM EDT
There is no crisis.
We have the best health care, albeit not perfect.

Do you want to wait with 'everyone else" in line, like the UK - are we stupid ???


Solution: EXPAND MEDI CAID/ Medical to cover those who choose not to be covered. = less $$ , also all the rest get to keep what we have.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:56 AM EDT
hamiltongrad
"There is no crisis. We have the best health care..."
*****************************


Totally delusional, since even the cato and heritage crusty idiots admit we have a very broken and over-priced health care system, costing far more than any other industrialized country in the world!

You are totally clueless, and just parrot the usual propaganda!
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 11:07 AM EDT
Actually, if you researched your ignorant parroting of the foxnewsus propagandus, you would find that India is today on top of health care innovation through doctors trained in the U.S. -- certainly not here where doctors are paid for quantity, not quality and innovation!

You continue to show just how clueless the republican'ts can be!
by thusspokezara August 11, 2009 10:17 AM EDT
There is absolutely no evidence that Democrats intend to cut health care cost by encouraging euthanasia. It is true that end of life care is very very expensive and that we have to find ways of discouraging doctors from extending life beyond a point where the costs to society outweigh the benefits to the individual. I like the Democrats proposal to have a Federal Bureau for Gentle Passages (FBGP) that will regulate end of life care.
Reply to this comment
by Joe_NY_15 August 11, 2009 10:29 AM EDT
by thusspokezara August 11, 2009 10:17 AM EDT
We have to find ways of discouraging doctors from extending life beyond a point where the costs to society outweigh the benefits to the individual.
_______________________

This will give you an idea of how the left views life,
"we need to discourage doctors from extending life" because of costs to society.....

WOW.....so much for respecting life of the elderly
by cs4466 August 11, 2009 10:10 AM EDT
Beware a lot of the neocon posters here spreading lies and misinformation about President Obama's health care reforms are paid shills of the health insurance industry. Many are also paid to attend and disrupt the town hall meetings. And those that are not paid to do these things often do these things out of spite. It's a bitter, sad group of individuals.

But soon they'll have the same health care as everyone else. Not that that deserve it.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:36 AM EDT
Yep....I think that the screaming juvenile republicant's should be required to keep their for-profit health insurance, and blocked from any public option and competition, just so their loved insurance companies continue to rape them with higher and higher costs!
by Joe_NY_15 August 11, 2009 10:08 AM EDT
Of course it will be a Civilized Town Hall meeting, especially when you hand-pick who will attend, coach them on what to ask, and Obama without his Tell-me-what-to-say-Prompter, you never know.

Maybe Biden should attend, we need a few good laughs or gaffes
Reply to this comment
by endurorob August 11, 2009 10:07 AM EDT
bfjones626 August 11, 2009 9:53 AM EDT
I'm an independent and all I want to see is competition in the marketplace. Sure, the big hospital/pharma/insurance companies and their lobbyists are making billions while more and more people actually lose health care and coverage every week. Some people think this is OK?
With all the shouting going on, the fact still remains that the Democrats have the numbers and will attempt to have a bipartisan bill done but I think the final solution will be they go it alone. When the hospital/pharma/insurance companies are forced to compete with the government run public option (something akin to Medicare I hope), then costs will come down, coverage and quality will go up and the Republicans will be seen as the Party of NO and on the wrong side of history once again.
There wasn't a single Republican vote for the stimulus package that is just now starting to get fully engaged and is obviously working. How are Republicans going to face their constituents who lost jobs and mortgages and who have no health care? The recession hurts all of us as does the high cost of health care. Every person without insurance who goes into an emergency room for routine care costs all of us in higher premiums and we all know it. Health care will get reformed and I for one will remember who pushed to get it fixed and who stood on the side of the corporations and executives. Those who profit by denying access to care and throwing people into bankruptcy because they had medical issues. The 2010 elections are going to bring about another wave of Republican loses that we all can see coming. The have no policies, no ideas and no scruples. Just Say No is not the mantra of any successful political party and that is why they are not succeeding at anything.



Government run health care will nt create competition it will drive out the private sector. As far as the stimlus doing anything you are mistaken. Only about 10% of the money has been spent and that isn't enough to do anything. If the current indicators are correct and not just anom,olies then the economy os recovering without assistance from the stimulus as many knew it would.
Reply to this comment
by bfjones626 August 11, 2009 10:49 AM EDT
So, then you did got my point. Only 10% of the stimulus money has been spent so come the 2010 mid-terms when more of the money is spent and the economy shows some REAL recovery, who do you think will be remembered as the Party of NO that tried to block it?
The Democrats have no incentive to do anything in a bipartisan fashion as long as the only answer from the Republicans is "NO". And I do feel that competition, ANY competition drives successful companies to stay at the top of their game and keep they customers. If a private sector company fails to keep up, then they have no business being in the marketplace. I can currently choose from 5 supermarkets to buy groceries, dozens of insurers for my automobile/homeowners insurance, lending tree for 3 quotes on a mortgage but yet my most basic need, knowing I can get quality health care is a monopoly? If it takes knowing that the government is willing to step in to change this, then so be it. Why is it that big pharma has already pledged to give up 80 billion over the next decade? Because they know that real reform could cost them twice that. Are they leaving the marketplace? Hell no. They are giving up a little to continue making a lot. That's the backbone of capitalism which is the backbone of this great nation.
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:49 AM EDT
"As far as the stimlus doing anything you are mistaken. Only about 10% of the money has been spent..."
*****************************


YOU are certainly very predictable with the usual foxnewsus propagandus, but the fact remains that the bush/cheney Great Recession has a very long way to go to regain even a 5% unemployment rate due to the huge offshoring of jobs during the past 3 decades. We needed a different approach to the recession recovery that the republican't party of NO fought tooth and nail, and still need stimulus dollars to help create newer jobs that cannot be offshored during the next few years.

YOU continue to prove how just economically-challenged you republican'ts can be, and still want to live in the past with the old, tried and true methods of tax cuts for the wealthiest that have been proven an utter failure. This is a different kind of recession that took years of republican't BORROWING and SPENDING to achieve such deep deficit spending and a huge national debt, so puleeze stop the typical 20th century rhetoric from economically-challenged bozos, and completely understand that we need 21st century methods to meet the challenge of today's world. We need to plan for our future in both energy and health care, and the republican'ts have NO VISION -- just antiquated rhetoric!
by smiley520 August 11, 2009 10:05 AM EDT
It is absolutely amazing! The Dumycrats are actually paying their supporters to show up at town hall meetings to intimidate, harass, and assault peaceful citizens, who are merely exercisng their constitutional right to "assemble and seek redress" from their government servants. The months since Obama's catastrophic election should be cause for all freedom loving, peaceful americans to fear for their lives. We have elected a terrorist dictator who has no concern for our constitutional rights. He has sent his supporters to citizens home to scare them. He has called out his Union Thugs to physicly injure his oppomemts. He is using his office to instigate violence against people who only wish to protect their own health. He has taken over private business while claiming not to. His programs have more than doubled the annual dificit cince he took office. He say's he inherited this mess from the prior administration without mentioning it is a mess he voted for time and time again. Wake up people. The man is dangerous.
Reply to this comment
by pasmalltown August 11, 2009 10:05 AM EDT
TO Real_America August 11, 2009 9:29 AM EDT -

Here's the question of the day for you - If you repeat the same inane comments enough times, do you expect others to believe them TRUE?

I'd say, no. No matter how many times they are repeated, there're still inane. You are entitled to believe in what you will, but please move on to something of substance.
Reply to this comment
by culturechang August 11, 2009 10:04 AM EDT
It doesn't look like it will be civilized.

I saw a woman screaming at Senator Spector in a Townhall meeting about returning to the Constitution. I agree, but Spector alone is not soley responsible for the loss of Constitutionality in this country.

Ron Paul ran for President in 2008 on a platfrom of Constitutionality...and was soundly rejected by the people.

I did not hear anyone screaming at Bush for trampling on the Constitution and no one showed less regard for it than Bush.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:59 AM EDT
Aaaah, but the busheviks were certainly attacked for trampling on Our Constitution as the bozo called it a "G..D...piece of paper!"
by anticristvs August 11, 2009 10:01 AM EDT
Whyyyyy yu yung whipper shnappers.....
this Dar Socialisms are what is a ruining this great
Jeebus land of ourn....
Reply to this comment
by cs4466 August 11, 2009 9:57 AM EDT
Waiting for the next round of bright red, grotesquely overweight neocons shakin and quiverin and waggling their pudgy fingers at some poor unsuspecting Senator in a town hall meeting. Quite amusing, I assure you!
Reply to this comment
by bfjones626 August 11, 2009 9:53 AM EDT
I'm an independent and all I want to see is competition in the marketplace. Sure, the big hospital/pharma/insurance companies and their lobbyists are making billions while more and more people actually lose health care and coverage every week. Some people think this is OK?
With all the shouting going on, the fact still remains that the Democrats have the numbers and will attempt to have a bipartisan bill done but I think the final solution will be they go it alone. When the hospital/pharma/insurance companies are forced to compete with the government run public option (something akin to Medicare I hope), then costs will come down, coverage and quality will go up and the Republicans will be seen as the Party of NO and on the wrong side of history once again.
There wasn't a single Republican vote for the stimulus package that is just now starting to get fully engaged and is obviously working. How are Republicans going to face their constituents who lost jobs and mortgages and who have no health care? The recession hurts all of us as does the high cost of health care. Every person without insurance who goes into an emergency room for routine care costs all of us in higher premiums and we all know it. Health care will get reformed and I for one will remember who pushed to get it fixed and who stood on the side of the corporations and executives. Those who profit by denying access to care and throwing people into bankruptcy because they had medical issues. The 2010 elections are going to bring about another wave of Republican loses that we all can see coming. The have no policies, no ideas and no scruples. Just Say No is not the mantra of any successful political party and that is why they are not succeeding at anything.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:19 AM EDT
It's the competition that the for-profit insurance companies are fighting through their $1.4 million per day lobbying campaign. Their profits increased 500% from 2000 to 2008, thus the reason why health care is unaffordable and the current system is unsustainable!
by endurorob August 11, 2009 9:48 AM EDT
AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 9:29 AM EDT

America needs true health care reform, but since there is NO BILL yet, the LIES and DECEPTIONS that the rabid right has been pushing need to be stopped!


There is no consolidated health care bill but their are three or four different versions out there and that is what people are looking at. So the lies and deceptio you are talking about do not exist. people are protesting what the liberals want to put in a health care bill.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:16 AM EDT
Just admit that you republican'ts have no vision for the future or solutions to our health care debacle, and only a need to stop the needed debate through disruptive screaming and juvenile behavior!
by endurorob August 11, 2009 9:42 AM EDT
taebok August 11, 2009 8:46 AM EDT

There is a huge difference between being heard and trying to drown out every one else's voice


It seems that is the only way Obamas minions will listen to anyone that does not agree with them.
Reply to this comment
by AK-47_Justice August 11, 2009 10:04 AM EDT
Just admit that you republican'ts have no vision for the future or solutions to our health care debacle, and only a need to stop the needed debate through disruptive screaming and juvenile behavior!
by funslideds August 11, 2009 9:41 AM EDT
Actually, I just realized that this very forum is a perfect example of what happens when the wingnuts arrive.
Reply to this comment
by cs4466 August 11, 2009 9:45 AM EDT
Yup. Screeching and crying, they'll be dragged along with the rest of us into a new health care system that covers everyone. I like to think of them as the two year old in the restaurant that just won't shut up no matter what you do.
by anticristvs August 11, 2009 9:48 AM EDT
the problem with some 2 year olds is they are rewarded for bad behavior.
What these disruptors need is a big CanoWoopazz Courtesy of the
Local Police force.
by novamba August 11, 2009 3:41 PM EDT
would that be the righ wingnuts, the left wingnuts or all the wingnuts?
See all 89 Comments

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