Robert Gibbs on health care deal: "Stay tuned; process is not over"

By GottaLaff

Robert Gibbs is taking questions. Liveblog:

Bill Plant: Does Obama have the muscle to push this through?

Gibbs: Stay tuned... the argument, debate, legislative process is not over. The public option meme [paraphrased] "is contrived almost entirely by you guys." Pres. believes we have to have choice in competition, choose among insurers to drive down cost, improve quality. His preference is public option. If others have ideas, he'll look at those.

We'll fight for what's best that brings choice in competition [in answer to Helen Thomas, who I couldn't hear].

Tapper: Exchange with public plan as part of it... does "must" only apply to exchange?

Gibbs: I'd have to go look back...

Tapper: It's one of the most public quotes!

Gibbs: Haven't looked in a few days. We can quibble about how he phrased it... He's stated his position.

Tapper: How can you achieve bipartisan bill, when you have trouble with a PARTISAN bill?

Gibbs: There are Blue Dogs on the committee who voted out a bill on House side before recess. The notion we can't get something done just isn't true.

Tapper: More divisions between House and Senate.

Gibbs: That's what we'll spend the fall doing. Part of that progress will be what progress Sen. Finance Committee will make. Hope for bipartisan solution.

Q: Talk of strategic discussions about going all Dem, and you said no... That's not happening at all?

Gibbs: We're focusing on how to get bipartisan support. Pres. met with Baucus Friday. They discussed the progress being made on Finance Committee.

Q: Grassley on CNN said nobody has gotten support, but we should keep working. WH failed?

Gibbs: WH agrees with what Grassley says there. Our preferred option is to get all involved at the table to agree to something that can be supported by both parties. I can't say what Rs will end up doing.. Obama doesn't have control over every person's vote. He'll work to get agreement on both sides of aisle. Too important to not try. To walk away from the opportunity to get both sides together.... He's not wedded ideologically to different things. focused on what's right for American people.

Todd: Line in sand: No taxes on people making $250 K or less?

Gibbs: Yes. Reiterates Choice in Competition. Prefers public option. If others offer other ideas, he'll hear them.

Todd: Drew line on $250K, same line on Public Option?

Gibb: I won't play ranking game.

Helen: Preferred means you can take it or leave it!

Gibbs: In your poll, Todd.... Big myth 2 weeks ago was end of life decisions by govt. Your poll shows that myth is not believed by American people. 45% is not half the country. Majority, and same number of srs. believe that it's a myth. He'll have to deal with other misconceptions. He's talking to faith leaders today, doing radio call in show tomorrow....

Q: Open to anything ... has he seen anything aside from p.o.?

Gibbs: No full details on co-ops yet to evaluate their effectiveness.

Q: Sen. Dems trying to figure out through reconciliation... WH not participated in these convos?

Gibbs: Not that I'm aware of. I'll check. Focus not on what happens IF... on here and now.

Fox: Rahm's view...

Gibbs: There are many in leadership who appear not to support reform. NBC poll: Asked approval for Rs on health care. 21% approve, 62% disapprove. America knows something has to be done. Insurance company bureaucrats shouldn't be in charge of health care.

Fox: Pursue bipartisan agreement... ?

Gibbs: Some Rs have committed to reform.

Fox: So they defy their leadership?

Gibbs: I doubt if McConnell is supportive of their efforts.

Fox: Move on with Dems support only: Poll said 59% said didn't agree, most Independents didn't...

Gibbs: We want to work with Dems and Rs. That's important. They're working to get reform done...

Q. Repubs obstructing...?

Gibbs: I haven't seen a lot of action on part of R leaders to enunciate what they want to do to cut h.c. costs, cover those uninsured, reforms... they're not overwhlemed with that as a focus.

Q: Good news that most don't believe in death panels, per poll. That was pulled, end of life care.

Gibbs: It's in Sen. Finance Committee bill that nobody's seen. Pres. is explaining those provisions, no matter which section of what bill at what time. He's correcting the record. It's more to do with sustained dialog of misrepresentation than something being pulled.

[...] The arguments are tried and true. Interests won the day. Prez O has different approach.

I'll update if anything else comes up.