Borger: Obama was tough and determined
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/10/art.obama.0910.gi.jpg caption="Borger: Obama was tough and determined."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - No-drama Obama morphed into an emotional, tough, determined leader in his joint address to Congress Wednesday night, making it clear that "the moment" is demanding health reform. Not just as a matter of care, but as a matter of national character.
Fearing the future, President Obama told us, is "not what the moment calls for."
The high moment, however, had already been disrupted by a low one: an out-of-order, childish, dumb taunt from GOP Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who shouted, "You lie," when Obama said that illegal immigrants would not be covered under his health care measure. The errant congressman later apologized, of course, but his infamous heckling would not be forgotten.
The angry outburst reminded us that this defining domestic debate has, at times, descended into a churlish display of acrimony. Hard to escape, it seems. But after Obama's speech, maybe a tad easier to ignore.
You could seen the Republican cringe as they sat on their hands.
They had 8 years under George W and took no action. They are dedicated to sink this plan and will stop at nothing.
In spite of Ms Borger's assertion it is not easy to ignore and we will remind her of that if a Democrat is crass enough to heckle a Republican President. Crass to the core but not out of character.
AFTER reading the President's speech, I could NOT find a single thing that is wrong with what is being attempted...
This could make GOP too crappy IF they JUST keep shouting like a party of Joes and Boehners with a NO but do not ensure that nothing wrong gets in here ..... I am losing most of my faith now in this party and leadership – by all means, if nothing improves and they still come up with leaders like Palin, it would be extinct in another 4 years (sorry)!!
Yes the President needs to be tough because the middle class is tired of pulling the weight of the rich. Change has come too America.
How come news outlets like CNN aren't pointing out that Mr. Wilson was 100% WRONG in his claim? The plans do NOT cover illegal immigrants, the President was correct.
Why does the news media fail to address this fundamental issue? A President was called a liar. Was he lying? NO. Mr. Wilson needs to be called on this!
Obama was AWESOME!!!
Some of those GOP guys are "acting more like children than children."
Mrs. Borger, people are understanding slowly but surely that GOP is a danger to not only the country, but themselves. Did you see their reaction to a simple "Work hard, stay in school speech (that other presidents gave)?
The only things the country is hearing out of the GOP is "socialism, marxism, Nazi, death panels," ignorance, yelling, and hate."
We see what they stand against (EVERYTHING Obama does, even if they were for it 2 seconds ago). What do they stand for?
I have a strong feeling that even their hero Pres. Reagan would be shouted out of the party for even trying to work with Democrats (remember the term "Reagan Democrats?").
the pres was smug, over bearing and never came to the point. Lets see if you can get it right next time barack. please.
Obama did campaign some more ,but there were no specifics,and there were no ways to pay for this. If it going to be paid for by waste and fraud savings then lets see the savings first.and why are you waiting to stop the waste and fraud?.....No Public Option ,If you want to pay more taxes for those who have no healthcare sign up and do it. Let me keep my money for my family and myself.