Obama to GOP: Let's Talk Health Care

In Interview with Katie Couric, President Says Health Reform Is Not Dead, Calls for Televised Meetings at White House

(CBS/AP)  In the first major step to revive his health care agenda after his party's loss of a filibuster-proof Senate majority, President Barack Obama on Sunday invited Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss possible compromises in a televised gathering later this month.

Obama's move came amid widespread complaints that efforts so far by him and his Democratic allies in Congress have been too partisan and secretive.

In a pre-Super Bowl interview Feb. 7, Mr. Obama told CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric that health care reform is still a priority for his administration and that he will meet with both Democrats and Republicans at the White House next week to move the process forward.

"I want to ask them to put their ideas on the table, and then after the recess, which will be a few weeks away, I want to come back and have a large meeting, the Republicans and Democrats, to go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward," Mr. Obama said.

The Feb. 25 meeting's prospects for success are far from clear. GOP leaders demanded Sunday that Democrats start from scratch, and White House aides said Obama had no plans to do so.

"If we are to reach a bipartisan consensus, the White House can start by shelving the current health spending bill," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio also threw some jabs while accepting Obama's invitation. He said he was glad the White House "finally seems interested in a real, bipartisan conversation," adding that Americans have rejected "the job-killing, trillion-dollar government takeover of health care bills passed by the House and Senate."

Obama told Couric that he and the leaders of both parties will "go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward."

Watch Katie Couric's interview with President Obama:

Asked if he was willing to start from square one, the president said he wants "to look at the Republican ideas that are out there. And I want to be very specific. 'How do you guys want to lower costs? How do you guys intend to reform the insurance markets so people with preexisting conditions, for example, can get health care?"'

"If we can go step by step through a series of these issues and arrive at some agreements," Obama said, "then procedurally, there's no reason why we can't do it a lot faster than the process took last year."

Congress' Democratic and Republican leaders have differed sharply on most major questions in the long-running health care debate. Only one Republican voted for the House health care bill approved in December, and no Republicans voted for a similar Senate version.

White House officials said Sunday that Obama does not intend to restart the health care legislative process from scratch. Many liberal groups and lawmakers want congressional Democrats to use all the parliamentary muscle they have to enact the measure that the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, employing rules that could bypass GOP filibusters to make changes demanded by House Democrats.

The White House has not ruled out such a strategy. But Obama's recent talk of inviting Republican input and extending the debate for several weeks has caused uncertainty about his plans.

A White House statement Sunday said Obama repeatedly has made it clear "that he's adamant about passing comprehensive reform similar to the bills passed by the House and the Senate."

"He hopes to have Republican support in doing so, but he is going to move forward on health reform," the statement said.

Mr. Obama said that he was frustrated by special deals for legislators, such as earmarks, that got into the healthcare reform bills.

"They did not help. They frustrate me," he told Couric. "But this is a democracy. I would have loved nothing better than to simply come up with some very elegant, academically-approved approach to health care, and didn't have any kinds of legislative fingerprints on it and just go ahead and have that passed. But that's not how it works in our democracy. Unfortunately, what we end up having to do is to do a lot of negotiations with a lot of different people, many of whom have their constituents' best interests at heart.

Polls show that many Americans feel Obama and his congressional allies have not sought enough GOP input, although Democrats say Republicans have shown virtually no interest in seeking a realistic agreement.

Obama has shown a greater zeal lately for interacting with Republicans. His sharp but civil exchange with House Republicans earlier this month drew widespread praise and attention.

Obama also is trying to address criticism of Democrats' closed-door negotiations that led to special accommodations for Nebraska and Louisiana senators when their votes on health care were in question. Some Republicans taunted Obama for suggesting earlier that health care negotiations should be aired on C-SPAN, and one GOP senator said health care would be the president's Waterloo.

Obama said the closed-door deal-cutting was not helpful to the process.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Sunday she was hopeful "that the Republican leadership will work in a bipartisan fashion on the great challenges the American people face."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, "We have promoted the pursuit of a bipartisan approach to health reform from day one."

[red-roses]

A little glimpse from the past.

Remember when cowardly george bush ran away in the plane after reading to the school children when the 9/11 tragedy happened only to show up a few days later to give his phony photo op performance at ground zero speaking through the blow horn? You were able to tell that he never really gave a damn for those who perished on that fatal day. In fact, you were able to tell that the crocodile tears he squirted at the tv cameras during his cheap performance at ground zero were tears of joy and not of sorrow.. And if you recall george bush gave another one of his phony photo op performances when he showed up in New Orleans a year after the devastating hurricane happened. You were also able to tell that his showing up in New Orleans was merely for show and not because he cared..

A few quotes....

My husband John R served his country well as a Marine Lieutenant on Iwo Jima, was wounded and received a Silver Star for his actions. Three of our sons volunteered to serve their country with pride and honor in Viet Nam. Whelan?s were no Chicken Hawks,as are bush, cheney, rumsfeld (who was in the service but saw no combat.He was later given the old heave ho, THANK GOD.) I still can?t believe their boldness and audacity to want to send our youth today, when they were not willing to go yesterday.
(Helen Whelan, Wife and Mother of 3 Veterans)


?Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln. My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.? (Another grandiose lie from the apathetic, vindictive, egotistical hypocrite and lying coward known as george bush May 1, 2003)

?bush lands on the aircraft carrier strutting his stuff, and I have a hard time walking. How dare you! That?s how I look at the president. How dare you! It amazes me how he does it with a smile too.?
(Fields Black. A Persian Gulf Veteran)

A soldiers view of the Iraq war March 5, 2004

I am a cavalry scout in the United States Army. I am stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. We returned home Tuesday and I would like to comment on this war from a specialized soldier?s eyes. I honestly think the president lied to all of us. After seeing first hand what was in most parts of Iraq, my whole company could not fathom a threat of any means. I love America, and will defend her when called upon, but in this case there was not a real threat. By the way, the THANKSGIVING PHOTO OP at the airport was only open to PRO BUSH SOLDIERS. We were screened unknowingly about four days before he showed up in secret. We didn?t know he was coming, but looking back, all of the questions we were asked were designed to weed out the antiwar soldiers.

If you recall at george bush?s first and second inaugural there were an awful lot of demonstrations. And if you recall his first inaugural was a dark rainy,dreary, dismal dreadful and very depressing day in Washington DC. It felt as if a huge black cloud hovered over the entire nation as if we were being cursed expecting for a bad omen to happen, and it did starting with the 9/ll tragedy...

[red-roses]

A little glimpse from the past.

Remember when cowardly george bush ran away in the plane after reading to the school children when the 9/11 tragedy happened only to show up a few days later to give his phony photo op performance at ground zero speaking through the blow horn? You were able to tell that he never really gave a damn for those who perished on that fatal day. In fact, you were able to tell that the crocodile tears he squirted at the tv cameras during his cheap performance at ground zero were tears of joy and not of sorrow.. And if you recall george bush gave another one of his phony photo op performances when he showed up in New Orleans a year after the devastating hurricane happened. You were also able to tell that his showing up in New Orleans was merely for show and not because he cared..

A few quotes....

My husband John R served his country well as a Marine Lieutenant on Iwo Jima, was wounded and received a Silver Star for his actions. Three of our sons volunteered to serve their country with pride and honor in Viet Nam. Whelan?s were no Chicken Hawks,as are bush, cheney, rumsfeld (who was in the service but saw no combat.He was later given the old heave ho, THANK GOD.) I still can?t believe their boldness and audacity to want to send our youth today, when they were not willing to go yesterday.
(Helen Whelan, Wife and Mother of 3 Veterans)


?Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln. My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.? (Another grandiose lie from the apathetic, vindictive, egotistical hypocrite and lying coward known as george bush May 1, 2003)

?bush lands on the aircraft carrier strutting his stuff, and I have a hard time walking. How dare you! That?s how I look at the president. How dare you! It amazes me how he does it with a smile too.?
(Fields Black. A Persian Gulf Veteran)

A soldiers view of the Iraq war March 5, 2004

I am a cavalry scout in the United States Army. I am stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. We returned home Tuesday and I would like to comment on this war from a specialized soldier?s eyes. I honestly think the president lied to all of us. After seeing first hand what was in most parts of Iraq, my whole company could not fathom a threat of any means. I love America, and will defend her when called upon, but in this case there was not a real threat. By the way, the THANKSGIVING PHOTO OP at the airport was only open to PRO BUSH SOLDIERS. We were screened unknowingly about four days before he showed up in secret. We didn?t know he was coming, but looking back, all of the questions we were asked were designed to weed out the antiwar soldiers.

If you recall at george bush?s first and second inaugural there were an awful lot of demonstrations. And if you recall his first inaugural was a dark rainy,dreary, dismal dreadful and very depressing day in Washington DC. It felt as if a huge black cloud hovered over the entire nation as if we were being cursed expecting for a bad omen to happen, and it did starting with the 9/ll tragedy...

[noloyalisti]

Generations from now long after everyone in congress and the senate are dead (buried or cremated) Health care for everyone, abortions when needed and gay marriage will be the norm?.adios

I hope and pray you are right. We will then fulfill the promise of America and join the rest of the modern civilized world.

[soundloud]

It's sad to see that that many republicans still think that they dont need health care reforms, as if they are immuned from any kind of disaster as regards to health care insurance. I would like to remind these people, that many of you are not going to escape when that kind of disaster strikes you, unless or otherwise you are rich or well connected. Many on top levels are all set with insurance and the future, so do not think that you are one of them act like you dont need health care reform. Strip all your party clothes, and face the reality for a moment and think independently, if you can see through your future. Many people protested Medicare, when it was proposed, but try to take it away from seniors now, you will see a big riots. Things look bad when there is a change, and you need to be free from this lobbying and all of that, as we are free people to think for ourselves, not like the way the big corporations wants us to think.
I dont care who brings about this health care reform, but one thing is definite , that is this country need it badly. I am not going to blame any party, but they should work together and do something good for this country. I hate when people roll in the mud of party lines on issues like this that would benefit the nation. I am not talking on behalf of republicans or democrats.
As for spending we already spending money on two wars, and Sarah Palin wants us to start another war with Iran too, and may be with North Korea later. If we declare war on these countries it will cost dearly to our nation. I am confused, with her proposed spending cuts, and tax cuts, where is she going to find the money to fund these wars. One thing it will be costliest war if ever started. She must learn to be responsible, when making horrible decisions like this and she should not be childish...Anyway my point is why cant we spend some of it on our own people?.

[red-roses]

Looking at george bush?s face (gag,gag) or listening to his stupid voice for eight years was torture enough. Anyway, when I look at the portraits and photographs of great men like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Lincoln, Teddy/Franklin Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy,etc..Look at the majestic beauty of this country. Look at a Norman Rockwell painting or sketch, or listen to George M Cohan, George Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein/Hart,Irving Berlin, or Aaron Copeland?s music, for some reason the bush family doesn?t seem to fit into this beautiful tapestry. Anyway, we should all be grateful since it looks like the bush dynasty has ended politically with george, since the American people have become more intelligent, more well read, and are more able to read between the lines, so I truly doubt they would want a repeat performance with another bush...AMEN................

[red-roses]

Generations from now long after everyone in congress and the senate are dead (buried or cremated) Health care for everyone, abortions when needed and gay marriage will be the norm?.adios

[noloyalisti]

The amount of money our politicians use to help do their difficult jobs are NOTHING compared to amount of our money being waste by big corporations. Not to mention the lavish gifts, favors and donations being given by big corporations to buy future profits.

[red-roses]

A little glimpse from the past.

Remember when cowardly george bush ran away in the plane after reading to the school children when the 9/11 tragedy happened only to show up a few days later to give his phony photo op performance at ground zero speaking through the blow horn? You were able to tell that he never really gave a damn for those who perished on that fatal day. In fact, you were able to tell that the crocodile tears he squirted at the tv cameras during his cheap performance at ground zero were tears of joy and not of sorrow.. And if you recall george bush gave another one of his phony photo op performances when he showed up in New Orleans a year after the devastating hurricane happened. You were also able to tell that his showing up in New Orleans was merely for show and not because he cared..

My husband John R served his country well as a Marine Lieutenant on Iwo Jima, was wounded and received a Silver Star for his actions. Three of our sons volunteered to serve their country with pride and honor in Viet Nam. Whelan?s were no Chicken Hawks,as are bush, cheney, rumsfeld (who was in the service but saw no combat.He was later given the old heave ho, THANK GOD.) I still can?t believe their boldness and audacity to want to send our youth today, when they were not willing to go yesterday.
(Helen Whelan, Wife and Mother of 3 Veterans)


?Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln. My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.? (Another grandiose lie from the apathetic, vindictive, egotistical hypocrite and lying coward known as george bush May 1, 2003)

?bush lands on the aircraft carrier strutting his stuff, and I have a hard time walking. How dare you! That?s how I look at the president. How dare you! It amazes me how he does it with a smile too.?
(Fields Black. A Persian Gulf Veteran)

A soldiers view of the Iraq war March 5, 2004

I am a cavalry scout in the United States Army. I am stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. We returned home Tuesday and I would like to comment on this war from a specialized soldier?s eyes. I honestly think the president lied to all of us. After seeing first hand what was in most parts of Iraq, my whole company could not fathom a threat of any means. I love America, and will defend her when called upon, but in this case there was not a real threat. By the way, the THANKSGIVING PHOTO OP at the airport was only open to PRO BUSH SOLDIERS. We were screened unknowingly about four days before he showed up in secret. We didn?t know he was coming, but looking back, all of the questions we were asked were designed to weed out the antiwar soldiers.

If you recall at george bush?s first and second inaugural there were an awful lot of demonstrations. And if you recall his first inaugural was a dark rainy,dreary, dismal dreadful and very depressing day in Washington DC. It felt as if a huge black cloud hovered over the entire nation as if we were being cursed expecting for a bad omen to happen, and it did starting with the 9/ll tragedy...

[alanrobisch]

Ma'am YOU are totally out of line. George bush may not have been the been best president but i and most Americans do not agree with you and please explain how your apparent hatred for George bush has anything to do with the current subject

[noloyalisti]

The amount of money our politicians use to help do their difficult jobs are NOTHING compared to amount of our money being waste by big corporations. Not to mention the lavish gifts, favors and donations being given by big corporations to buy future profits.

[redseal3]

Little of subject here but has anyone heard about military fighter jets serving as chauffeurs, and babysitters for Nancy Pelosi and kids at our expense??The costs for some flights is as much as $18,000 an hour.This of course isnt supposed to be allowed but is going on.There is copies online of receipts for everything from large amounts of alcohol to food.The D.O.D. recieved orders to transport her.Wow this is amazing and taxpayers pay for it.