After an August hot with town hall meetings, Congress returns to work and the President adds specifics to the healthcare bill. More Democrats now oppose the legislation and as a stop-loss, President Obama is set to address a joint session of Congress just one day after their return from summer vacation.
A Sense of Urgency for President Obama
Some Democrats are wavering on healthcare and some are frustrated waiting for President Obama to describe his plan in full. NBC’s Chuck Todd said, “As far as the politics of healthcare are concerned, this is probably the last chance the President has to fix this, publicly.”
The President is going to “go out there and speak more to Democrats,” Todd continued. “Republicans believe this is nothing more than a political ploy; the President trying desperately to fix his poll ratings, the other half of the room screaming and yelling and cheering.”
President Obama is expected to reveal his vision for healthcare, what should be included in the legislation and what he’s comfortable leaving out, reported CBN.
Lawmakers who support the President’s plan are described as begging for strong leadership on the issue according to both NBC and CBN.
“This is make or break time for President Obama on healthcare because the public has turned so sour and he’s got a divided congress,” said former presidential advisor David Gergen.
President’s Approval Rating Slides With Democrats
The Rasmussen Poll reports that the President’s approval rating is declining more sharply than any other new president in which only 28% of the nation’s voters strongly approve his performance, with 40% strongly disapproving. Zogby Poll figures show approval for the president slipping by over 13% among Democrats, adding to a 6 point decline from figures obtained in July.
John Dickerson in Slate writes that with poll numbers dropping, if there's any good news for President Obama, it’s that 60% back a public option and 82% say our health-care system needs to be “fundamentally changed or rebuilt entirely.”
Objections and Alternatives to the Healthcare Bill
While moderate Democrats are concerned with the $1 trillion cost of the house legislation, others are uneasy with the current bill as written. Both Republicans and Pro-life Democrats object to abortion defined as healthcare and Republicans say that 24 GOP members have introduced three bills nearing 400 pages of legislation since May, according to CNS.
Linda DeMerle - Linda DeMerle is an exhibited artist, poet, advocate and freelance writer in a wide range of publications. She has studied Art, ...
