Obama's Congressional Speech

Tonight, President Obama went before Congress looking to make headway on the health care issue by once again stretching across party lines to find a compromise. Following the speech, David Herszenhorn of the New York Times reacted with an online article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/10/us/politics/10thttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=1309910048223175299ruth.html?_r=1

For President Obama, he had hoped that tonight would be a turning point in the debate on health care as he addressed both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the American public. There were certainly some attempts from the President to reach out Republicans, exemplified by his call for malpractice reform and admitting that the gridlock on health care reform is a collective effort by both Republicans and Democrats. Obama also made an effort to answer concerns and claims stemming from Republicans that his proposed health care legislation will benefit illegal immigrants, alter existing policies, fund abortions, and reduce Medicare benefits. According to Herszenhorn, some of these claims are just downright false, such as the legislation providing health care benefits to illegal immigrants. Other claims, however, Herszenhorn asserts are only technically false. It seems that Obama is only really addressing how the legislation will directly impact health care, leaving aside some of the inadvertent or indirect effects it may have.

An interesting moment came when Republican Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina pointed his finger at the President and shouted, "You lie!" This was in response to Obama's assertion that illegal immigrants will not benefit from his proposed health care legislation. This just shows that even Congress can resemble some of the town hall meetings that have taken place in the last few months.