Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Campaign tactics back as Obama presses health care
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Campaign tactics back as Obama presses health care
By LIZ SIDOTI,Associated Press Writer AP - 1 hour 55 minutes ago
BIG SKY, Mont. - President Barack Obama is using political tactics and rhetorical devices honed in his White House campaign to regain the upper hand in the health care debate over increasingly vocal and organized critics.
ADVERTISEMENT
In person and over the Internet, Obama is trying to counter intense public skepticism over Democratic plans to overhaul the health care system. It's his top domestic priority and arguably his most challenging political fight yet.
Familiar tools from the Obama candidacy include the town hall meetings where he rolls up his sleeves and discards his tie and jacket; a rapid-response Web site to counter critics' claims; and a populist pitch against the entrenched powers in Washington.
Plus he's got the bully pulpit, which he used Saturday.
"I know there's plenty of real concern and skepticism out there," he said in his weekly radio and Internet address. "I know that in a time of economic upheaval, the idea of change can be unsettling, and I know that there are folks who believe that government should have no role at all in solving our problems."
Carefully trying not to alienate opponents even while taking them on, he cited "legitimate differences worthy of the real discussion that America deserves." But as Democratic allies face taunts and insults at town hall style gatherings, Obama asked his audience to "lower our voices, listen to one another and talk about differences that really exist."
In the GOP's address, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch pressed for a bipartisan solution.
"Ensuring access to affordable and quality health care for every American is not a Republican or Democrat issue _ it is an American issue," he said.
He said he also encourages a respectful debate, but "there is nothing un-American about disagreements. In fact, our great nation was founded on speaking our minds."
Obama seeks legislation that would provide coverage for millions of uninsured people while controlling costs. Critics say proposals in Congress would spend too much and give government too big a role.
Conservative activists and Obama opponents have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks _ and may be outmaneuvering a White House known for its organizational abilities.
In campaign mode, Obama is hosting question-and-answer sessions that proved valuable during the presidential race. The Democratic National Committee and Obama's allies are spending millions on advertising campaigns to influence public opinion, much like they did last year. Associates are going out to make the case. The White House is using Internet tools honed during his groundbreaking bid to rally supporters.
It's unclear if it's working.
Obama is trying to energize his estimated 13 million grass-roots supporters through his campaign apparatus, called Organizing for America. But there are indications that those who turned out in to help elect Obama aren't doing the same to get a policy passed _ evidence of the difficulty in the transition from campaigning to governing.
Over the past week, White House senior adviser David Axelrod asked supporters to forward a chain e-mail to counter criticism circulating online. The White House also began a "Reality Check" Web site "to help Americans clear up health care lies and misinformation."
DNC Chairman Tim Kaine said "reform opponents" have stepped up their game because they can tell the White House has "made more progress on health insurance reform than we made in the previous 60 years."
Those efforts were reminiscent of the Obama team's attempts during the 2008 campaign to debunk Internet rumors about his faith and upbringing.
The DNC has created a Web video _ "What You Won't See on National Cable News" _ to highlight civil town hall meetings, and Obama also plans to speak to backers by telephone during a health care event Wednesday.
Over the past week, he's fielded questions from audiences in Portsmouth, N.H., and Belgrade, Mont., and scheduled one in Grand Junction, Colo., during his family's tour of national parks. Thus far, he's faced polite crowds, a stark contrast to the taunts and jeers that Democratic lawmakers have endured at similar sessions during their August break.
Much like in the campaign, he's using people's stories to illustrate his points.
Obama talks about Lori Hitchcock of New Hampshire and Katie Gibson of Montana, who couldn't get sustained coverage because of their medical conditions. "These are the stories that aren't being told," he said in his weekly address.
He's railing again against interest groups and lobbyists. "Every time we come close to passing health insurance reform, the special interests with a stake in the status quo use their influence and political allies to scare and mislead the American people," Obama said.
He's asking his legions of supporters to "come together, and listen to one another" to "rise to this moment" and get the job done.
___
On the Net:
Obama's address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
GOP address: http://www.youtube.com/user/gopweeklyaddress
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Sudan opposition parties threaten vote boycottReuters - 1 hour 36 minutes ago
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fightingAFP - 1 hour 48 minutes ago
Ransom demanded for missing Russian-crewed shipAFP - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
Iceland parliament nears vote on Icesave dealReuters - 2 hours 20 minutes ago
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leaderReuters - 2 hours 26 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Millions of salmon fail to turn up in Canada
Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral
US study uncovers powerful anti-cancer compound
Rare flowering of Chinese tree in Belgium
US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 15 August 2009 Vote leaders take campaigns across Afghanistan
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
U.S. business welcomes Obama export control review
US industrial output rebounds, consumer prices flat
Spain's economy shrinks, bucking eurozone trend
Hundreds mourn Kennedy sister at funeral
Russia says Cape Verde ship sighting untrue
| International
|
World faces growing health inequalities: WHO
US consumer inflation in steepest drop since 1950
Thirteen killed in Hamas, pro-al Qaeda group clashes
| International
|
World's oldest schoolboy dies aged 90 in Kenya
| International
|
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore
| Technology
|
Taiwan's president criticized for typhoon response
Suicide attack kills 1 Afghan soldier in the south
Taiwan flood death toll could top 500: president
Court: Mich. prison OK to stop man's kosher meals
Afghan election an early test of Obama's war plan
Lead poisoning sickens 600 kids in China
Shriver laid to rest; Sen. Kennedy misses funeral
China cracks down on drunken driving after outcry
Obama takes healthcare plan to conservative West
5 who killed niece in exorcism avoid jail in NZ
18 years later: 1st Gulf War casualty laid to rest
China Merchants Bank plans $2.6 bln rights issue
Oops! Crew tears out remnants of old NY river fort
3 bombs in Baluchistan kill 1, wound 18
Maine town wins fight to save its curbside mailbox
Mourners gather in Pa. for 3 dead in plane crash
Taiwan president says typhoon has killed about 500
Athiest bus ads create free speech debate in Iowa
China objects to Philippine oil project
Polish village prays for Madonna to visit
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury
| Entertainment
|
Time Traveler looks to cash in on popular book
| Entertainment
|
Bandslam star Aly Michalka sees teen years fading
| Entertainment
|
Aerosmith cancels troubled tour after Tyler injury
New Orleans rapper sentenced to life in prison
Jackson had long history with estate executor
Arrest warrant issued in Mass. for Bobby Brown
Revered guitar player-inventor Les Paul dead at 94
US videogame sales sink for fifth consecutive month: NPD
Reality TV villain Omarosa entering a seminary
Blast rocks Afghan capital
Cargo ship that vanished spotted off Cape Verde islands
Taliban claim blast in Afghan capital
| International
|
Google users loyal: comScore
Mud-slinging on Afghan vote trail
US building tech tools to foil online censors
No normal ties with Ukraine under current leaders: Medvedev
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe
| International
|
Gaza clashes between Hamas, Islamist radicals kill 13
Merkel, Medvedev tout 'strategic' economic cooperation
Iraqi journalists protest government pressure
Iran elections-Jackson death videos spur online viewing
Nineteen killed in Mexico prison riot
| International
|
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court
Google users search more, very loyal: comScore
Three killed in suicide blast in Pakistan's Swat
| International
|
Britain suspends Turks and Caicos government
| International
|
Let them eat cake at Gulag city birthday party
| International
|
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
| International
|
Colonial BancGroup, 4 other banks shut down
SKorea's Lee renews aid offer to NKorea
Palace assault trial ends in acquittals
Pakistan lifts tribal area political activity ban
Grad student imprisoned in Iran returns to US
Car bomb explodes at NATO headquarters in Kabul
Controller bantering on phone before crash
Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon catastrophe
Suspect in Calif. toll plaza killings in court
Huge blast at NATO headquarters rocks Kabul
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP
| Technology
|
Huge blast rocks Afghan capital
US Senator Webb to meet Myanmar's junta leader
BetOnSports founder pleads guilty in U.S. court
| Technology
|
Police clash with steel workers in China: report
U2's Bono pays tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 707
Event on Abu Ghraib soldier canceled over threats
NY police interview husband of wrong-way driver
Japan voices remorse for WWII, ex-premiers visit shrine
Kate Winslet goes from Oscar win to TV series
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step
Pakistani c.bank buys 31.6 bln rupees of govt paper
Summary: WTO rules on China, but piracy persists
Malaysia 'well-positioned' to weather global crisis: IMF
Hilary Duff brings her charity work to Colombia
Aerosmith cuts short US tour due to Tyler's injury
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for "Rebelution"
Police respond to Jon & Kate's house for argument
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album
Seinfeld to be first guest on new Jay Leno show
| Entertainment
|
Juanes gets heat for playing peace concert in Cuba
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business
| Entertainment
|
Leaked Radiohead song has fans on alert for new EP
| Entertainment
|
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown
Arrest warrant issued for Bobby Brown
| Entertainment
|
Investor alleges she was Madoff's 20-year mistress
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in "get schooled"
Kelly Clarkson and LeBron James in get schooled
| Entertainment
|
MC Hammer plans companion piece for 1990 hit album
| Entertainment
|
Hollywood sees win in China WTO case as first step
| Entertainment
|
Miami rapper Pitbull ready for Rebelution
| Entertainment
|
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
| International
|
Islamist leader among 22 killed in Gaza fighting
Pre-vote bomb at Kabul NATO base kills seven Afghans
Hamas hits Qaeda allies in Gaza, over 20 dead
| International
|
Iran detainees tortured, beaten to death: Karroubi
Islamist leader among 24 killed in Gaza fighting
Blast at NATO base in Kabul, three dead: official
Ransom demand: lost ship has shades of le Carre
| International
|
Chavez visits Fidel Castro for 83rd birthday
| International
|
Iran's leader appoints new judiciary chief: report
| International
|
South Korea's Lee seeks arms cut deal with North
| International
|
Madagascar's Rajoelina says only he can lead transition
| International
|
Colombia, US finalize deal on military bases
US senator meets Myanmar's democracy leader
Obama touts health care reform
Report says Bollywood icon detained at US airport
Catholic leaders urge Sri Lankan Tamils' release
Thai elephant hurt by mine gets artificial leg
Campaign tactics back as Obama presses health care
Steel workers in China protest plant purchase
Bowing to typhoon anger, Taiwan leader says sorry
AP NewsAlert
Facebook to face off with new Web rivals
| Technology
|
US senator meets Myanmar ruler, Suu Kyi
U.S. senator meets Suu Kyi, Myanmar junta leader
7 die, 91 wounded in blast near NATO HQ in Kabul
Parched parts of California scorched by wildfires
Philippines to ramp up fight against militants
S.Korean president calls for arms talks with North
Pakistan cuts policy rate by 100 bps to 13 pct
China to start cutting carbon emissions in 2050: FT
Bollywood star held in U.S. airport, fans outraged
| Entertainment
|
40 years later, Woodstock a thriving business
Sex and blood and MozartDon Giovanni
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights