I thought the president's little speech today might have been his best, or nearly his best, on the issue of health care reform. And it was clearly his most combative toward Republicans. Especially surprising was his blunt challenge to them to vote against the bill, if they think that insurance companies practice should not be regulated:

...most Republicans in Congress believe the answer is to loosen regulations on the insurance industry – whether it’s state consumer protections or minimum standards for the kind of insurance they can sell. I disagree with that approach...If they truly believe that less regulation would lead to higher quality, more affordable health insurance, then they should vote against the proposal I’ve put forward".

Another good moment came at the end of this paragraph, when he actually went off his prepared remarks:

....Second, my proposal would give uninsured individuals and small business owners the same kind of choice of private health insurance that Members of Congress get for themselves. Because if it’s good enough for Members of Congress, it’s good enough for the people who pay their salaries. This is an idea that many Republicans have embraced in the past...BEFORE POLITICS INTRUDED.

And he really didn't bother to put the "president" before "Bush" (Which is probably meaningless, but made me chuckle):

"It has already passed the Senate with a supermajority of sixty votes. And now it deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that was cast on welfare reform, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, COBRA health coverage for the unemployed, and both Bush tax cuts – all of which had to pass Congress with nothing more than a simple majority".

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During his speech, the president made special request from all of us to help get this reform through the final few yards, and leter emailed OFA members, asking the same: Obama and OFA final march for health reform right here.

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President Obama is going all in: FIRED-UP PRESIDENT DEMANDS 'UP-OR-DOWN VOTE' ON HEALTH CARE.... Watching President Obama's speech this afternoon on the way forward on health care reform, I noticed something I haven't seen from the always-cool chief executive in a while: real passion. It was unmistakable -- this president wasn't just making the case for reform, he was practically demanding it. Forget any rumors you may have heard about half-measures or additional compromises. President Obama is going all in...

...This was as combative and aggressive as we've seen the president in a while. His tone was defiant and unflinching. He used the word "Republican" 10 times, usually in a negative and critical context. It's as if the president was actually sincere about his bipartisan outreach, and felt personally insulted by the Republicans' games. If Congress was waiting for the Obama to signal his commitment to getting this done, it's safe to say the president left no doubts.

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Some nice news:

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Obama lays out Volcker rule specifics for Congress WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. banks would be banned from proprietary trading and other large financial firms would face quantitative limits on such activity, according to draft language on the so-called "Volcker rule" from the Obama administration. The language maintains the toughest components of the proposal first floated in January, despite skepticism from lawmakers and the industry that such restrictions would do little to prevent another financial meltdown like the one that seized markets in 2008... ...The legislative language on Wednesday also targets non-banks, saying those financial firms that engage in proprietary trading would face tough consolidated supervision and quantitative limits on their risky activities. "These proposals are part of a comprehensive package of reforms to create a safer, more resilient financial system," the draft legislative language said.

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Solis hints of recess appointment for Craig Becker Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told AFL-CIO officials at their annual meeting Wednesday there will soon be positive news on the long-stalled nomination of union lawyer Craig Becker. Solis then told reporters the unions will be "very pleased" with how the issue is resolved.

President Barack Obama upset union leaders when he decided not to appoint Becker during a Congressional recess last month. Union officials now think Obama may act when Congress breaks for Easter.

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New McClatchy-Ipsos poll: Obama's approval rating: 53 percent, up 3 points from the end of January. Four out of five Americans, 80 percent, said that Washington couldn't accomplish anything because of fighting between the political parties and branches of the government.

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Obama's Gallup numbers today:

52-41.

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And this is a little gift from Garrison Keillor for those of us who just feels the same:

We have a good guy in the White House, a smart man of judicious temperament and profound ideals, a man with a sweet private life, a man of dignity and good humor, whose enemies, waving their hairy arms and legs, woofing, yelling absurdities, only make him look taller. Washington, being a company town, feasts on gossip, but I think the Democratic Party, skittish as it is, full of happy blather, somehow has brought forth a champion. This should please anyone who loves this country, and as for the others, let them chew on carpets and get what nourishment they can.

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President Barack Obama signs H.R. 4691, Temporary Extension of U.S. Unemployment Benefits, in his private office in the residence of the White House, March 2, 2010.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama pauses while speaking about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Applauding, from left are, Julie Babich, Dr. Roland Goertz, Barbara Crane, Stephen Hanson, Dr. Renee Jenkins, Christopher Lillis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



President Barack Obama pauses while speaking about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



President Barack Obama shakes hands with Dr. Renee Jenkins, as Christopher Lillis, left, and Stephen Hanson, look on, after speaking about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



The audience applauds as President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



President Barack Obama shakes hands with Julie Babich after speaking about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)



Flanked by healthcare professionals, US President Barack Obama speaks on healthcare reform in the East Room of the White House March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)



President Barack Obama speaks about health care reform during an event in the East Room at the White House on March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. President Obama called on law makers to give his health care package that is before Congress an up or down vote. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)



President Barack Obama speaks about his final strategy for moving forward with health insurance reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 3, 2010. (AUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)



Registered nurse Barbara Crane of St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Long Island, N.Y. , applauds President Barack Obama as he speaks about health care reform, Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in the East Room of the White House in Washington (AP).



President Barack Obama greets healthcare professionals after speaking about his final strategy for moving forward with health insurance reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 3, 2010. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)



President Barack Obama greets members of the audiance after speaking about health care reform during an event in the East Room at the White House on March 3, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

