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Obama health summit heals few divides
AFP - Friday, February 26
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WASHINGTON (AFP) - – US President Barack Obama's high-stakes health summit has failed to break an impasse over his historic reform drive, prompting him to warn he would press on with or without Republican help.
Civility largely prevailed at the grueling day-long meeting, after Obama warned Thursday against "political theater," but there was no breakthrough on sharp ideological disputes threatening to suffocate his ambitious presidency.
The more than six hours of back-and-forth exchanges between top Republicans and Democrats -- compered by the sitting US president -- were unique in political history, and came after a poisoned year-long debate over health care.
The president hinted at the talks at Blair House opposite the White House that he would seek to drive the massive reform bid through Congress even without Republican votes, which his foes flatly stated would not be forthcoming.
Few analysts expected the meeting would yield major progress, and for both sides it was as much about political positioning and setting the terrain for mid-term congressional polls in November as finding compromise.
But Obama said at the outset: "I hope that this isn't political theater, where we're just playing to the cameras and criticizing each other, but instead are actually trying to solve the problem."
It was not immediately clear however if the move would buy Obama time to thrust his bill through Congress, or credit from voters for providing the bipartisan outreach they tell pollsters they crave.
Obama challenged Republicans to drop obstruction tactics and back the latest version of his new 950-billion-dollar plan to cover 31 million uninsured Americans, cut abuses by the vast insurance industry and lower premiums.
He cited possible deals between Democratic and Republican leaders on issues like medical malpractice, the insurance market and health care costs, but admitted that other gaps were so wide they may not be bridged.
"Is there enough serious effort, that in a month's time, or in a few weeks time, or six weeks time, we could actually resolve something?" Obama asked.
"If we can't -- then I think we have to go ahead and make some decisions and then that is what elections are for," he said, raising the prospect of a hardball political strategy. Facts:Main points of Obama health care plan
"I think that most Americans think a majority vote makes sense," Obama said, in his most explicit embrace yet of a controversial Senate strategy known as "reconciliation" to overcome Republican obstruction tactics.
Although crediting Obama for holding the meeting, Republicans rejected his approach.
"Frankly, I was discouraged by the outcome," Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters at the White House.
"I think it is pretty clear that the majority, including the president, want to continue the same bill. I do not believe there will be any Republican support for this 2,700-page bill."
Another senior Republican, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, faulted Obama's approach in the meeting.
"I just don't think the president was listening, even though he invited us to hear our ideas.
"There are some fundamental differences of opinion.... It is not going to be possible with that kind of an approach to come together within the timeframe that he indicated."
In one showdown, Obama clashed with his former foe John McCain, reviving memories of their testy 2008 campaign debates.
"People are angry... we promised them change in Washington," Senator McCain said. When Obama tried to cut him off, McCain snapped "Can I finish please?" minus the usual honorific "Mr President."
Obama bided his time before his cutting riposte: "We are not campaigning anymore, the election is over."
He said health reform was crucial to alleviating deficits and to the future health of the US economy, and was a moral imperative with millions of Americans hit by health care bills they cannot afford to pay.
But Republicans demanded he ditch his ambitious plan and start again.
Obama also clashed with another Republican, Senator Lamar Alexander.
"Let me just finish, Lamar," Obama said, after the Republican took the rare step of directly challenging a US president in public on his facts.
Democratic senate majority leader Harry Reid chimed in as well, telling Alexander "you're entitled to your opinions, but not your own facts."
Many Republicans doubted Obama's sincerity in holding the meeting at all, fearing he would benefit if they agreed to compromise but if they blocked him he would hammer them as obstructionist.
The House and Senate have failed to agree a single piece of legislation for Obama to sign into law.
Republicans derailed the process last month by capturing a crucial Massachusetts Senate seat that gave them the power to thwart final votes using a legislative tactic called a filibuster.
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