Obama: On second thought, it’s totally okay for Congress not to pass ObamaCare by August; Update: Lowest rated press conference yet
posted at 4:42 pm on July 23, 2009 by Allahpundit
Well, no, champ, it’s not okay. It’s a huge, potentially crippling setback, and a personal embarrassment for him that his big health-care pep talk last night — which even his fans in the punditocracy are panning — was greeted this morning by Harry Reid deciding to pull the plug before the “deadline.” No problem for the O, though; watch as he segues effortlessly into the new reality. Too bad he didn’t falsely claim that he never expected to have a bill by August, though. I’m at the point where I kind of look forward to those Orwellian “but let me be clear, I have consistently said” lies when he has to reverse himself on something.
Note his admonition to the Senate to “just keep working” while they’re getting ready to, um, take a month off. Exit question: If health-care reform is such an urgent national priority, why aren’t the Democrats suspending their vacations to pass it?
Update: More bad news for The One: The ratings for his press conference last night were half what they were for his first primetime presser, notwithstanding the importance of the issue. The good news? I guess he chose the right night to perform poorly.
Dwindling audiences. Obama press conference drew 24.7 million viewers last night. Three previous: 28.8 million, 40.4 mil and 49.5 mil.
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Very commonly insane infatuation and/or lust can turn into insane hate and contempt of the former object of infatuation.
The crazy Obama-lovers are going to turn on him big time sometime in the next year or two.
rising21 on July 23, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Are you posting a link? Some links won’t post here and go down the memory hole.
Knucklehead on July 23, 2009 at 5:16 PM
The other 25 million don’t speak english.
darwin on July 23, 2009 at 5:16 PM
I’m with you there, we must keep up the fire and defeat the socialist scum.
farright on July 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
What a crazy statement to make.
HE set the deadline, an insurmountable one, causing nothing to get done.
His ability to ignore what is right in front of his face astounds me and reminds me of a three year old.
“Barry, did you steal one of mama’s cookies?”
Barry, with cookie crumbs on his chin: “No, mama”
fogw on July 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
rising21 on July 23, 2009 at 5:16 PM
It’s a thin line between love and hate!
NTWR on July 23, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Yes. I want to see ads all over the place, and like O’Reilly said last night (I can’t believe I’m quoting him), I want them in simple, bullet form.
Here is our plan:
–it costs you nothing more than you already pay (or less than you already pay)
–fully preserves your current health care
–no public option because it is immoral for government to use tax dollars to compete with the private sector
–covers the uninsured who are genuinely poor and not just opting out of purchasing insurance
–doesn’t cover illegal aliens, the majority of whom have nationalized health care in their home countries
–it puts you and your doctors fully in charge
–it includes tort reform that doesn’t cap malpractice awards, but simply says loser pays.
Here is Obama’s plan:
–You beg for medical care
–A government flunky says no
–You die
–Obama’s needs health care
–He gets a policy YOU will never be able to afford.
–He lives
Rational Thought on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
DId you see Dewayne Wise’s catch to save the perfect game? If not, go to whitesox.com to see it. Robbed a HR, ball bounces out of his glove, & recatches it in his bare hand.
WashJeff on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
He wants it done by the fall.
rising21 on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Harry and Nancy: Who let the (Blue) Dogs out? Who? Who? Who?
Hey Barry, why don’t you turn the lights off on our way out?
Barry O: We’ll start the health-care diet manana.
Steve Z on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
+1
txmomof6 on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
They were all dying in filthy hospitals due to substandard care from fee-obsessed doctors. You know, the critical urgency reasoning behind Ogabe’s “GET IT PASSED NOW” demands.
People are dying while the demorat Congress goes on vacation.
Bishop on July 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
emporer has no clothes
jp on July 23, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Kind of like closing GITMO huh barry.
farright on July 23, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Everyone in America should have watched this to avoid having Doctors steal their tonsils. And to see what a rambling, incoherent disaster the president is.
marmaran on July 23, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Other than small children, have you ever heard anyone use the words “I want” so many often in such a short time? But, hey, it’s not about him. Really.
califcon on July 23, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Let’s see that it isn’t! Keep calling your reps – 2010 is just around the corner.
bloggless on July 23, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Are you implying that Obama will come home to the White House to find Chris Matthews boiling the First Rabbit on the stove?
Flyover Country on July 23, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Speaking of ratings.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html
Ouch.
ICBM on July 23, 2009 at 5:21 PM
many often = often
califcon on July 23, 2009 at 5:21 PM
The celebrity fame sequence continues, we are now at the overexposure stage right before the inevitable fall followed by total disgust.
echosyst on July 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
SO, errrrrrrrrrrr, the time for talking isn’t over? What gives here?
SouthernGent on July 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
You misheard of misread Obama. He said he wants the country to fall.
WashJeff on July 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
This guy is loosing ground fast. His stupid “stupidity” comment is rubbing a lot of independents the wrong way.
I have never been more certain that he will be a one term president.
Amadeus on July 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
I agree. This guy is supposed to be a “great communicator”? The presser last night was an embarassment.
Norwegian on July 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM
B.O. is actually starting to make the Carter Administration look like the ideal model of defined leadership.
pilamaye on July 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
People were busy watching Susan Boyle.
Enoxo on July 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
As they say: Want in one hand and $#!t in the other. Now tell me which one fills up the fastest.
thomasaur on July 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Just wait until this dumbass goes off on vacation to Martha’s Vineyard in August and plays golf and rides around on somebody’s yacht, and his stupid wife appears in some more $800 sneakers.
rockmom on July 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
And let me be very clear about that! Done by fall! Or, ummm, winter. Yeah, winter, that’s it. Or Spring. Definitely no later than spring. And let me be clear about that! Spring it is. Unless it’s summer. That would be good, too. If we get health care reform by next summer, that’s just what I was demanding. Am I clear?
Rational Thought on July 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM
The West Coast wasn’t watching because the 5pm time put the conference during the commute home for many. So most in places like Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, etc. were in their cars and not watching TV.
So a good chunk of that ratings drop has to do with the time of the conference. Had it been at 9 eastern rather than 8 eastern as originally planned, ratings would have probably been higher.
crosspatch on July 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM
There was a look on his face after he said, “Just keep workin’” at 0:39 that could be a spirt of anger with held.
CynicalOptimist on July 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Beautiful
Thanks
Knucklehead on July 23, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I have no doubts that it will happen. Arrogance is his biggest weakness. And considering his utter lack of experience that’s saying something.
Aren’t you married to a dem voter? How’s he feel about this?
BadgerHawk on July 23, 2009 at 5:26 PM
They were at the Buy One Get One Free tonsillectomy sale at the Mayo.
Lily on July 23, 2009 at 5:27 PM
BS. His supporters don’t have jobs.
rockmom on July 23, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Commute home from where, the unemployment office?
fogw on July 23, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I heart rockmom.
fogw on July 23, 2009 at 5:28 PM
“Let me be clear. Uh, sorry, that’s above my pay grade.”
jimbodeano67 on July 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM
I saw that too.
It was creepy.
bluelightbrigade on July 23, 2009 at 5:29 PM
With her new Laura Bush look-alike hairdo!
califcon on July 23, 2009 at 5:32 PM
He knows better than to talk about health care with me. I am the daughter of a doctor and a nurse and practically grew up in a hospital. I know 1000 times more than he does about what needs to be done to fix our system. And he really has not paid much attention to what Obama is actually doing, he is just happy that Bush is gone.
rockmom on July 23, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Chilling – there and at 1:00.
Fallen Sparrow on July 23, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Having a Black President is kinda boring now.
Speedwagon82 on July 23, 2009 at 5:34 PM
I don’t know what I would do if I were married to an intellectually brilliant woman who’s politics were completely opposed to mine.
Luckily I just turned my wife to HotAir and Beck, and facts/ common sense did the rest.
BadgerHawk on July 23, 2009 at 5:35 PM
I think that’s why Michelle Obama got a new hairdo. Just trying to spice things up. I think she and Barack ought to do a cooking show together, or compete in one of those TV dance shows. Either would prob. be entertaining and get his numbers up. If not, unfortunately we’ll have to cancel his show.
JiangxiDad on July 23, 2009 at 5:36 PM
You think he’ll make it that long? At the rate he’s going….
Fallen Sparrow on July 23, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Given the fact that it’s July and this was destined to be a superwonky presser, the low ratings are certainly no surprise. I’m sure that was expected.
The switch on the deadline is another matter…
orange on July 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM
I bet that can be said for the vast majority of those that voted this dufass into office.
RedbonePro on July 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
If this guy dares to go off on vacation while the nation suffers with double-digit unemployment, and the “urgent” need for immediate health-care legis., his goose is cooked. I betcha he doesn’t go, or if he does, it will be sans press.
JiangxiDad on July 23, 2009 at 5:39 PM
It’s ok. Don’t cry.
BadgerHawk on July 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM
That bill he wants to sign so badly? Ummm, what does he want it to say? That might be helpful to know.
Rational Thought on July 23, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Not sure if I stated it in comments or anything, but I totes predicted this.
RightWinged on July 23, 2009 at 5:43 PM
Really? I can’t see him canceling that vacation for any reason whatsoever. And the idea of him going “sans press” strikes me the same way. Because, aside from destroying the country, the perks and the press are what he lives for.
califcon on July 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Obama lied…….health care “reform” died.
David2.0 on July 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM
familiarity breeds contempt, and his Let Me Be Clear, blaming Dubyah and then throwing money at problems is pretty damned familiar to all Americans by now….
ginaswo on July 23, 2009 at 5:45 PM
So what did everyone watch? I turned the TV off and did Pilates, which is a measure of my loathing of Obama pressers if nothing is, and then I watched Steven Crowder’s “so scary it’s funny” expose of Canadian health care.
evergreen on July 23, 2009 at 5:46 PM
The fierce urgency of now requires that the House pass a plan that puts almost 18,000,000 citizens at death’s door. How is that, you ask?
Let’s do the math: the House Obamacare plan as currently written would not fully kick in with a public option until 2013. Now, assume that that plan will kick in precisely on January 1, 2013 so as to minimize the # of insureds who would lose their insurance before the gub’ment rescues them.
President Obama insisted during his presser that unless health reform was passed, 14,000 people would lose their insurance every day.
Let’s do the math: Today is July 23, 2009. There are 1,258 days until January 1, 2013. 14,000 uninsureds times 1,258 days = 17,612,000 additional uninsureds.
Now let’s do the logic: Libtards always equate lack of health insurance with lack of health care, TEFRA notwithstanding. Lack of health care means that women, children and minorities will absolutely contract chronic diseases and acute medical conditions that will lead invariably to a miserable death if not treated. Since they have been deprived of health insurance by the Rethuglican patriachal conspiracy, they will not be treated and will indeed die.
Considering that Republicans and various think tanks like the Heritage Foundation have offered less complex and immediately implementable alternatives to extend health insurance coverage, could it not be argued that for a Congress Critter to reject those alternatives in favor of the House Obamacare plan is a vote to kill millions of woman, children and minorities? For shame!
Tongueboy on July 23, 2009 at 5:47 PM
He renamed it insurance reform yeaterday.
thomasaur on July 23, 2009 at 5:52 PM
only those who stupidly thought BO might have something to say tuned in.
JohnBissell on July 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Looks like Barry’s TV numbers are, like his others, TRENDING DOWNWARDS! Think I’ll send Barry a storybook. It’s about a kid who cried “
EMERGENCYWolf!” once too often. And we all know how that one ended.GarandFan on July 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
5 times, no less.
BadgerHawk on July 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
That worked out fantastically, didn’t it?
David2.0 on July 23, 2009 at 5:54 PM
The 2010 election started today….
Reid’s polls are bad & he’s up in 2010… The Congress seats that are contestable are feeling the heat…..
This is what Obama & Co hoped to avoid, trying to socializing the American Health care system during an election cycle…
The tide has turned a little…. GOP needs to keep the heat on the Wacky-tobbaccy Party….
RaisinsofWrath on July 23, 2009 at 5:57 PM
“Let me be clear.” “Uh, sorry, that’s above my pay grade.”
jimbodeano67 on July 23, 2009 at 5:59 PM
albill on July 23, 2009 at 4:58 PM
the_nile on July 23, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Darn it I have ABBA on the brain now…thanks guys.
pritzcovan on July 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
When you have to re-name your signature policy initiative barely 6 months into your term, you have probably blown it.
Epic fail by Axelrod.
rockmom on July 23, 2009 at 6:01 PM
24.7 million democrats wasted an evening watching a Marxist buffoon on TV when, instead, they could have been de-lousing each other.
whitetop on July 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
Why are the “shovel ready” bozos who will probably have their Medicare coverage reduced and be presented with “end-of-life reviews” applauding this clown? Are they not aware of the provisions in this train wreck?
OT but irksome: Why does Obama pronounce words that end in “ee” or “y” as if they end in “ay”; committee becomes committay in his campaign oratory. Is it just part of his delivery flourish?
onlineanalyst on July 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
“More mush from the Wimp” for those Carter fans out there.
Buford Gooch on July 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Wardrobe malfunction? Always good for a month of headlines.
BobMbx on July 23, 2009 at 6:28 PM
You might be right about that, but unfortunately for Barry, there is going to be an October crash.
Dark Star on July 23, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Please tell us more?
spacewife on July 23, 2009 at 6:44 PM
The commercial real estate market is going to crash.
Knucklehead on July 23, 2009 at 6:56 PM
He didn’t mean what he said about that cop either.
I think he figured out a way to do it without Congress, so he doesn’t need them any more.
darwin-t on July 23, 2009 at 7:07 PM
Knucklehead,
Thanks, you’re right…and the depression article…
gee it never ends.
spacewife on July 23, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Actually, in this case, the clothes have no emperor!
massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Retreating from his forced timeline. Renaming the initiative. Constant campaigning for the bill that no-ones read yet.
Fun to watch him go down swinging on this one.
Note to media; the honeymoon is over – when are you going to start doing your job?
massrighty on July 23, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Must keep pressure up. His masters will demand that the Obumbler keeps the heat up.
jukin on July 23, 2009 at 7:44 PM
I thought he wasn’t “out there blaming Republicans”… (?)
I hate his phony preacher persona… the fake accent is just too much.
jana on July 23, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Soon we will have Mr. Obama singing like Dory in Finding Nemo,
Just keep working, just keep working, just keep working working working.What do we do we work, work, work
OH HO HO How I love to work
When you WAAAAAANNTTT to work you want to work (except when you get a six week vacation in between bankrupting the country).
eaglewingz08 on July 23, 2009 at 9:19 PM
This guy is so junior league. Pathetic.
PersonalLiberty on July 23, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Let me be clear: TOTUS is a “great communicator”.
VekTor on July 23, 2009 at 10:28 PM
How? The MSM’s had him on TV 24-7 for a year now. They going to show re-runs?
Dr. ZhivBlago on July 23, 2009 at 10:41 PM
If this guy dares to go off on vacation while the nation suffers with double-digit unemployment, and the “urgent” need for immediate health-care legis., his goose is cooked. I betcha he doesn’t go, or if he does, it will be sans press.
JiangxiDad on July 23, 2009
I’m not convinced he has the ability to make that connection. I expect his vacation plans will not change.
BTW, was last night’s ratings an example of “diminishing returns”?
SKYFOX on July 24, 2009 at 1:01 PM
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