Posted on 03/26/2010 5:32:26 AM PDT by IbJensen
President Barack Obama talks up his just-signed health care law at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Thursday, March 25, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Iowa City, Iowa (AP) - President Barack Obama dared Republicans to try to repeal his new health care law, telling them Thursday to "Go for it" and see how well they do with voters in November.
"Be my guest," Obama said in the first of many planned appearances to sell the revamp before fall congressional elections. "If they want to have that fight, we can have it. Because I don't believe the American people are going to put the insurance industry back in the driver's seat."
With emotions raw around the nation over this week's Democrats-only vote to approve the nearly $1 trillion redesign of the health care system, Obama took the opposition to task for "plenty of fear-mongering, plenty of overheated rhetoric."
"If you turn on the news, you'll see that those same folks are still shouting about how it's going to be the end of the world because this bill passed," said Obama, returning to the college town where, as a presidential candidate three years ago, he unveiled his plan to provide health care for all.
No Republican lawmakers voted for the 10-year, sweeping package that Obama signed Tuesday and will shape how almost every American will receive and pay for medical treatment. Many in the GOP are predicting it will prove devastating in November for the Democrats who voted for it.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the GOP won't give up "until this bill is repealed and replaced with common-sense ideas" that won't dismantle the current system and increase the debt.
Some Democratic lawmakers have faced threats and vandalism because of their votes. Obama didn't mention the incidents.
The president stressed the notion of a promise kept. As the crowd broke into a chant of "Yes we can!", Obama corrected them: "Yes we did!"
Challenged by a young man in the audience who shouted several times, "What about the public option," a liberal-backed proposal for the creation of a government-sponsored plan to compete with private insurers, Obama said: "We couldn't get it through Congress."
"This legislation is not perfect, as you just heard," the president said. "But what this is, is a historic step to enshrine the principle that everybody gets health care coverage in this country, every single person."
Afterward, Obama visited Prairie Lights Books -- killing two birds with one stone. He had highlighted the store in his speech as a small business that has offered coverage to full-time employees for 20 years, but is struggling to continue to do so after its premiums rose last year by 35 percent. Obama also has frequently complained of his inability as president to do regular things -- like browse a bookstore.
The White House suggests it has the upper hand on the issue politically, arguing the GOP risks a voter backlash because a repeal would take away many benefits. Among them are tax credits for small businesses to provide health care to their workers and $250 rebates for seniors to help pay for their presciption medications.
Obama spoke as Democrats in Washington raced to complete the overhaul with a separate package of fixes to the main bill.
Senate leaders finished work Thursday on the fix-it legislation, already approved in the House. But Republican attempts to derail the bill resulted in minor changes, meaning the House must vote on it again before Obama can sign it. The House vote was expected by evening.
Repealing the law isn’t going to work until Obozo is out of office, because I don’t see enough of a congressional majority in the next election to override his veto. And if they manage to fast-track amnesty before November, we may not get a majority at all, with 12 to 20 million new democRat voters on the rolls. I think our best chance for immediate relief from this bill from hell is its getting slapped down by the SCOTUS - depending of course on the mood of Justice Kennedy when it appears on their docket.
I pray you're right.
Yes, he was "in your face" with his tone and attitude in his "campaign" to "sell" this abomination. He is not low class, he's no class.
Not presidential at all.
There is a GOD who giveth grace to the humble. Since our president is sore lacking in humility there is not grace waiting for him but a fall. So let him continue to be petulant and obnoxious.
Perhaps a third party is the answer. At this point I can't be certain.
Since he doesn't wear a Mowhawk, one of the other connotations of the word must apply. Larry Sinclair would know.
Oops, that’s “Mohawk”.
Or a Manuel Noriega.
Great point.
I DO NOT want him representing me.......I will not be accused of guilt by association....he is NOT my president
and never will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Obama also has frequently complained of his inability as president to do regular things — like browse a bookstore.”
Can’t I just eat my waffle?
It keeps getting better, does it not? Obamacare is great for the USA huh? Do you not feel the love and the truth out there peeps?
A third party is not the answer; it'll only dilute the conservative vote and the leftist madmen will maintain control.
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