Obama rallies Democrats ahead of health care vote
With Democratic leaders in the House working to secure as many supportive votes as possible for a Sunday vote on health care reform, the president also tried to encourage members of his party to pass what has been the signature domestic issue of his presidency.
In a Saturday afternoon speech to the House Democratic Caucus, President Barack Obama acknowledged that some representatives in swing districts face tough challenges from Republicans. He also alluded to several major pieces of legislation the House had already passed, like the $787 billion stimulus package.
“This body has taken on some of the toughest votes and some of the toughest decisions in the history of Congress,” Obama said in a copy of his remarks obtained by the Maneater. “Each and every one of you made a decision that at a moment of such urgency, it was less important to measure what the polls said than to measure what was right.”
Obama has been touring the country, giving speeches to drum up support for the bill among constituents and defuse Republican critics. His latest stop was a Friday speech in Fairfax, Va.
Saturday, Obama implored House Democrats to vote for the bill, saying it would be in the nation’s best interests in the long run.
“This is one of those times where you can honestly say to yourself, ‘doggone it, this is exactly why I came here,’” Obama said. “’This is why I got into politics. This is why I got into public service. This is why I’ve made those sacrifices. Because I believe so deeply in this country and I believe so deeply in this democracy and I’m willing to stand up even when it’s hard, even when it’s tough.’”
The House is scheduled to vote Sunday on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which the Senate passed 60-39 on Christmas Eve.
11:42 a.m., March 21, 2010
USA Voter said:
Obama and the Dems. are outright lying about having enough votes! I guess they thought if the news media printed that long enough this week it would enable them to snag more votes. What a bunch of liars, cheaters and dogs. Truly, the American people are smarter than that and it appears they won't have the votes afterall. It's going to be close--NO TO HEALTH CARE PLAN! Heard they are rallying AGAINST Health Care all day Sunday (21st) at the White House until after the vote. Also there are many going to their own town halls everywhere across the USA! I'll be going with my sign for sure!