I haven’t read accounts yet from folks who were there, but I think on the whole the president found the right tone in his prepared remarks today in Grand Junction.
As usual, he wasn’t quite as sharp on his off-the-cuff delivery, but it’s awfully nice to see him take controversy head on.
I believe that we should, on balance [have a public option]. It’s not perfect, it’s not gonna solve every problem, but I think it actually would keep the insurance companies more honest. You can have a honest disagreement with me on that. What you can’t do–or, you can but you shouldn’t do–is start saying things like we want to set up death panels to pull the plug on Grandma. I mean, come on . . . . When you start making arguments like that, that’s simply dishonest.
The president went on to talk about the actual proposal in the House bill to provide end-of-life counseling and outline what it really does to provide options for patients and families.
Pretty refreshing. Obama is hitting the right notes after a few weeks of discord. Most of all, he manages to stay above the politics of the moment (mostly) and focus on the policy goals at hand, and then outline those goals, consistently, in his speeches. Democrats need this kind of leadership right now in home states and districts, where without the benefit of Secret Service it’s all too easy to get shouted off the stage, so it’s good to see the president in campaign mode on this issue.
Zach Lane, the university of Colorado- Boulder student who “challenged “President Obama to a “oxford” style debate on health care, shows the very small minority of which has disrespect to our Nation institutions and to elders and individuals, I was ashamed of this young’s man disrespect for both the lack of respect of the office of the President as well as the man in that office by challenging him to a debate during the Town Hall meeting in Grand Junction, CO on Saturday August 16.. As an alumnus of the University of Colorado, I am also ashamed that he mentioned his affiliation to the school. This young whippersnapper is not even wet behind the ears yet. I also was a Business Major with a Poly Science Minor at CU and at his age or at my current age, out of respect I would never challenge any President to a Debate
I was there at the Town Hall meeting, and this fellow was clearly seeking his 15 minutes of fame, He was yelling and screaming at the President to call upon him, (so he could be heard above those other 1600 other individual in the meeting which had questions. Lane got his 15 minutes of fame.
I hope all that are requested to do business with Zach Lane upon his graduation recall his lack of respect for both individuals and institutions and think very hard if they really want to do business with this individual.
Shame on Zach Lane. He owes both the President and the others in attendance an apology for both his disrespectful behavior on Saturday.
By the way his question was very good question which was answered in part prior to his question being asked and further expanded upon by the President, yet he stated after the town hall meeting that the President did not answer his question. Well Zack you might let your ears work more and let your mouth run less and you may get further ahead in the future.
From the actual transcript of the exchange .
All right, I’m going to call on this gentleman because he’s been waving — and he’s shouted at me a couple of times, so I just want to — I just want proof here that I’m happy to get a good debate going.
Q How are you doing, Mr. President?
THE PRESIDENT: I’m good. What’s your name?
Q My name is Zack Lane (phonetic). I’m a student at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
THE PRESIDENT: Good to talk to you, Zack. What do you study?
Q Political science and business marketing.
THE PRESIDENT: Fantastic. All right, what’s your question?
Q My question is this. And also, I’d love to have a debate, just all out, anytime, Oxford-style, if you’d like. (Laughter.) I understand — I’m willing to do that. But my question is this. We all know the best way to reduce prices in this economy is to increase competition.
How in the world can a private corporation providing insurance compete with an entity that does not have to worry about making a profit, does not have to pay local property taxes — (applause) — they do not have to — they’re not subject to local regulations? How can a company compete with that? And I’m not looking for anything — I don’t want generalities. I don’t want philosophical arguments. I’m just asking a question.