Jarrett: Obama 'Not Demanding' Public Option
Appearing on Meet The Press, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett made it clear that President Obama is not demanding that a public option must be included in the health care bill: "He's not demanding that it's in there. He thinks it's the best possible choice. But I think, David [Gregory], let's not underestimate how much progress we've made. The fact that there's agreement on so much means that we are right on the brink of delivering for the American people, and that's a positive sign for our country."
Specter: GOP 'A Party Of Obstructionism' With No Plan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) blasted his former party: "On the Republican side, it is no, no, no -- a party of obstructionism. You have responsible Republicans who had been in the Senate -- like Howard Baker, Bob Dole, or Bill Frist -- who say Republicans ought to cooperate. Well, they're not cooperating ... Take a look at the absence of any Republican plan."
Rahm: Afghanistan Must Be 'Legitimate And Credible' Partner
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said the important questions in Afghanistan are not only troop levels but also: "Do you have a credible Afghan partner for this process -- that can provide the security and the type of services that the Afghan people need?" Emanuel said that the end result of the disputed election must be "a legitimate and credible" government.
Rahm Blames GOP For Deficits
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel blamed the Republicans for the current record $1.4 trillion deficit, saying they had abandoned the "fiscal discipline of the 90's" and passed multiple tax cuts and spending increases: "That led to $5 trillion of red ink run up -- the biggest red ink run up in the shortest period of time in American history," Emanuel said. "Literally over half the nation's debt has accumulated in the last eight years."
Axelrod: Fox News 'Not Really A News Station'
Appearing on This Week, White House senior adviser David Axelrod declared that Fox News is "not really a news station." "We're gonna appear on their shows," Axelrod said. "We're gonna participate -- but understanding that they represent a point of view."
Rahm: Fox News 'Not A News Organization So Much As It Has A Perspective'
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel explained the administration's opinion on Fox News
"It's not so much a conflict with Fox News," said Emanuel. "I suppose the way to look at it and the way the president looks at it and we look at is: it's not a news organization so much as it has a perspective. And that's a different take."
Kyl: 'I'm Not Sure It's A Fact' That Lack Of Health Insurance Causes People To Die
Appearing on Meet The Press, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) took issue with reports that people die for lack of health insurance: "I'm not sure that it's a fact that more and more people die because they don't have health insurance. But because they don't have health insurance, the care is not delivered in the best and most efficient way."
Kerry: Afghan Election Affects U.S. Plan
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that the disputed Afghanistan election must be resolved before any decision is made on whether to send more American troops: "I don't see how President Obama can make a decision about the committing of our additional forces or even the further fulfillment of our mission that's here today without an adequate government in place or knowledge about what that government's going to be."

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johnmccsf
October 18, 2009 1:13 PM
Oh no Balloon Boy was a HOAX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQYQTFudrqc
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CT Voter
October 18, 2009 1:33 PM
Excuse me, but could someone translate this?
According to Kyl, people aren't getting the care they need in the best and most efficient way. And they're dying, as a result. Why aren't they getting that care? Because they don't have health insurance. But that's not the problem, the problem is that they're not getting the care? WTF?
With a straight face, no less?
O/T: Congratulations to Andrew Golis. (NY Times Style section, this AM).
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Jeppy
October 18, 2009 3:15 PM in reply to CT Voter
Kyl could have said this and made as much sense:
"Grass isn't really green, it's somewhere between yellow and blue."
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jcricket
October 18, 2009 1:53 PM
Translated Kyl: 'Let me pull something out of my ass and hope no one notices that it's crap.'
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Zell
October 18, 2009 2:41 PM
All Arlen Specter needs is a primary every twelve months, and he'll go down in history as the greatest Democratic Senator of all time.
What? What's that you say? Senators aren't up for reelection every twelve months? Hmmm. Well then. Oh.
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bluebell
October 18, 2009 3:21 PM
I don't know what difference it makes. He's surrendered single-payer and public option. Wait for what comes next. The insurance industry surely wants to be treated as well as Goldman.
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FreeRider
October 18, 2009 4:50 PM in reply to bluebell
if you want a really good whine, you need to let it ferment a while. pouring it several times a day every day ain't working for you.
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SchrodingersCat
October 18, 2009 4:04 PM
Thanks for the requisite "Obama's sold us out on the public option!!!!" post. We haven't had one in a couple of days.
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FreeRider
October 18, 2009 4:52 PM
Obama needs to DEMAND a public option. The only way you get anything is to DEMAND it.
Bill Clinton DEMANDED universal healthcare and said he wouldn't sign a bill that did not contain universal healthcare. That's why we've had universal healthcare since 1994. See how well this demanding thing works.
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bluebell
October 18, 2009 5:01 PM in reply to FreeRider
The only thing that's changed is that now the Democratic Party won't even claim it supports universal healthcare. It wants to
"reform" insurance.
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FreeRider
October 18, 2009 7:13 PM in reply to bluebell
What did I tell you about that whine. Let it ferment a bit. OK?
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AJM
October 18, 2009 8:09 PM in reply to FreeRider
Concern troll much?
People who drink koolaid think that the only time to complain about a bill is after it is passed.
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FreeRider
October 18, 2009 8:46 PM in reply to AJM
Wait. You call me a concern troll and claim I'm a happy-go-lucky koolaid drinker at the same time? LOL!
You shouldn't use terms you don't understand, genius.
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AJM
October 19, 2009 12:26 AM in reply to FreeRider
Whining about whining gets old fast and is not inconsistent with the comsumption of koolaid. Most koolaid drinkers these days are not so carefree. The flavor of the drink seems to keep changing.
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FreeRider
October 19, 2009 9:30 AM in reply to AJM
You obviously don't have a clue what the term "concern troll" means. Get back to me once you figure out it which, given your lack of a clue, should be NEVER!
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AJM
October 19, 2009 12:44 PM in reply to FreeRider
Oh,oops! Are the dictionary police satisfied now, nanny?
Or are you now willing to reveal why you are giving bad political advice?
Just when is the most effective time to whine about a bill in your opinion?
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AJM
October 18, 2009 8:13 PM
After the unrebuked 2000 and 2004 electoral disasters in this country, why would it even occur to Karzai that we might care if his election was cooked?
(I've recently seen HowOhioPulledItOff.com)
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