Posted on 08/11/2009 10:21:07 AM PDT by dervish
PORTSMOUTH — Having spent four years living with England's government-run health care system, longtime Republican Dave Best says he isn't sold on President Barack Obama's plan for reform.
However, he's willing to listen.
Best, 57, of Bow was among the hundreds who traveled to Portsmouth High School on Monday to pick up their tickets for today's "Town Hall" forum, where Obama will pitch his plan during a visit to the Port City.
Organizers are expecting large crowds both inside and outside the high school, which will play host to a national debate that has some pushing for reform and many others planning protests of the changes proposed by the president.
Best was among the hundreds who used an online entry form to request tickets to the Portsmouth forum and said he is less awestruck with Obama coming to New Hampshire and more concerned with the substance of his intent.
"I want to hear what his plans are," Best said.
Best said he lived in London for four years and experienced a government-run health care system he says was cumbersome and slow.
He said the English system left a sour taste in his mouth when his 2-year-old son was suffering from recurrent ear infections.
"They gave us an appointment that was nine months out," Best said.
Best said he has also lived in Belgium, where he said they had good results with that government-run health care system, but he fears Obama is pushing for change too quickly.
"I'm of the opinion he shouldn't rush this," Best said.
Best isn't alone, and at least 12 right-leaning organizations are expected to stage protests that should be extremely visible as Obama's motorcade rolls into Portsmouth High School.
On Monday dozens of workers — including White House staffers — spent hours setting up the high school auditorium for Obama's forum, which is only open to those members of the public who secured tickets. Organizers would not disclose how many tickets were issued.
John Moran, 71, of Nottingham was among the many who went to the school to pick up tickets for an event marking Obama's first trip to the Granite State since he took office in January.
Moran, a Democrat, said he is a strong Obama supporter who was thrilled when he got a call notifying him that he would have two tickets for today's Town Hall forum.
The Nottingham resident said his wife — who will also be attending — was even more excited with the chance to see Obama live.
"She is really tickled. You should have seen her ... she was jumping up and down," Moran said.
Moran said he has a couple questions in mind if he is called on at the forum with one of them being how the president intends to get health insurance companies to work with him to reform health care.
He said he hopes Obama's plan will push for a more proactive approach to healthy living that involves coverage for preventive health care like screening and exercise.
Kathleen O'Brien, 64, and Jean Sanders, 66, both of Atkinson, said they will be sitting on stage for the event as they worked on Obama's campaign beginning in 2007.
On Monday they both went to the high school to pick up tickets and their excitement was more than evident.
"He is as good as everyone says he is. The last person I worked this hard for was Robert Kennedy," O'Brien said.
O'Brien wore an American flag-style scarf around her neck and a lanyard carrying several Obama pins.
She said she's read most of Obama's reform bill concerning health care, but still wants more information.
"I want to hear as much as possible about the plan," O'Brien said.
O'Brien and Sanders said they spent the weekend calling those who were selected in the lottery to receive tickets.
Sanders said some people sounded like they had just won a fortune when they were informed they would be able to attend the forum and hear Obama speak first-hand about his plan.
"It was unbelievable," Sander said.
O'Brien said she is sure many "hecklers" will be outside Portsmouth High School trying to derail reform, but she said anyone paying attention to the specifics of the plan will support what Obama is trying to do. She balked at those who say the plan is not in the best interest of senior citizens.
"He is actually protecting seniors," O'Brien said.
Others will be seeking to make sure their opposition is known amid the excitement of the presidential visit.
The New Hampshire Advantage Coalition issued a release on Monday indicating "concerned citizens" from 12 groups opposing Obama's plan, will gather at the high school during the president's visit to have a "real" debate on what they described as a plan that would restrict patient choices and bolster spending amid a "ballooning" federal deficit.
“...select audience...”
Will the liberal media report it as such?
Will FOXNews report it as such?
Let’s see just who has the media balls to call this for what it was especially given the anger and consternation displayed at the vast majority of REAL town hall gatherings.
Mr Best I could save you time. His plans are to lie, lie and lie some more about HR 3200.
This needed a barfer - this rag is definitely SRM and a skewed Obamanation...
I can’t wait till ‘change’ means something different than Obama.
Anybody who isn't an obama groupie is a "heckler"..
He said the English system left a sour taste in his mouth when his 2-year-old son was suffering from recurrent ear infections.
"They gave us an appointment that was nine months out," Best said.
So you've lived under the socialism system, you know full well what the ramifications of it are, but you're willing to hear 0bama lie to you, tell you "Oh, it's not going to happen here," regardless that the legislation being proposed specifies precisely that??!!
What difference does it make what 0bama or any of the politicians SAY? What difference does it make that they tell people fiction? Take a look at the bills going through the pertinent committees right now, Mr. Best, THAT is where you will discover his plans. Good grief.
The video speaks for itself. The audience is packed with people chanting "Yes We Can."
This is so staged that I thouight I slipped back in time and was wtaching a stump speech! They know more than half the country is opposed to this piece of s*it plan so they are staging this to make it look like everyone wants it. We can’t be fooled. This is the worst POTIS EVER, even worse than Carter.
From the universal applause, the crowd is of hand-picked Obamatrons.
He’ll protect the seniors by killing them.
Yeah, total BS. No dissent whatsoever.
Nine year old little girls with pretty ribbons in their hair are apparently really concerned about medicare B.
Interestingly, it's those of us who READ HR 3200 who DO NOT support him. And he;s not giving a town hall, he's giving a campaign speech. Unscreened, unscripted my left foot. Kudos to Fox for cutting him off in order to discuss the strangely docile crowd.
As much as I detest Arlen Specter, at least he didn’t insult us by stacking his audience with chanting Obama sycophants.
We need to let them know what our reaction is going to be when / if this final nail in the coffin of the constitution is passed. We need to get started NOW in gearing up our people and our states (if were fortunate enough to live in a state that values freedom) for the likelihood that the marxists will inflict this tyranny upon us.
The same energy being directed at these senators needs to be directed at the elected officials of your state. We need to DEMAND that this not be allowed to stand! We need to DEMAND freedom from tyranny! We need to demand that our states step up and say “ENOUGH!” We need to do it NOW!
The citizens of states where this is possible know who they are, those from other states should do everything possible to assist those folks.
Remember... The actual revolution takes place in the hearts and minds of the people before the action even starts. Our people are there or nearly so, we need to encourage this and assist in its momentum. Whatever you can do to this end will be a valuable contribution.
Freedom now...
I’m from the UK and know first hand the NHS does not work
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