Liveblog: Obama talks jobs and economy in Ohio

By GottaLaff

Liveblogging:

"There are some nice people in Washington, but they can drive you crazy."

People are yelling out "I love you" to Obama. He loves them back.

[He's explaining the mess that Bush left him and that some of his policies were not popular.]
Stabilizing banks was a tough pill to swallow.

If you can take tough steps, we're willing to invest in your future.

The Recovery Act has been misunderstood. It wasn't the bank bailout. It was cutting taxes for 95% of working families. Increasing unemployment insurance, extending COBRA, giving aid to states... And the largest investment in infrastructure....

The worst of the economic storm has past, but families are still reeling...

Plants close, businesses shut down, jobs disappear....

This all comes after one of the toughest decades our middle class has faced in generations. Some folks made tons of money, but so many others were just pedaling faster and faster, but slipping behind. Average income over last decade flat lined, or went down, and that was BEFORE the crisis.

And costs have gone up! Including health care needs.

I didn't run for president to run from these challenges. [huge applause] I ran to rebuild our economy for EVERYone who's willing to work hard, not just a few. To create jobs... to improve schools... to make higher education affordable, and yes, to deal with runaway hc costs [huge applause]!

I had no illusions that this would be hard. 7 presidents have tried it. ... And all failed... and I had a bunch of advisors tell me this may not be smartest thing to do, you have a lot on your plate... you may not get cooperation, get push back from Big Inusrance, etc. Don't do it!

Let me tell you why I did it. I knew insurance premiums doubled in last decade. ... lists other economic reasons...

When you lose jobs, you lose insurance... I took it up because I wanted to ease burdens on families/businesses who can't afford rates... [huge applause] that Big Insurance charges [paraphrased]

Dispel notion that we were focused on that, not economy. All I think about is how to create jobs, get banks lending again. I've done that entire year. But hc is part of the drag on our economy...

So, the good news: We've gotten pretty far.. but we had a little bit of a buzz saw this week. [laughter]. Part of reason is it was so long, drawn on. That's what happens in Congress, it's a long process, partisan, exploit fears, ads that scare BeJeezus out of everybody.

I understand why, after MA election, people in DC were all in a tizzy.. what does it mean for Obama? Is he weakened? Ohhh, how's he gonna survive this? But THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME [applause] This is about YOU! I didn't take this up to boost my poll numbers. To boost poll numbers, you don't do anything. All of Wash. would be saying, "What a genius!"

Some say, if Obama loses we win. But I think that if I win, YOU win. So if I wanted to take path of least resistance, I'd have done something a lot easier. We'll keep on working to get this done. With Dems, I HOPE with R's, with anyone who will step up. I won't watch more people get squashed by insurance companies...

There's no control on what they do, their stocks skyrocket. So long as I have breath in me I won't stop fighting for you, I'll take my lumps. [huge applause]. I won't stop fighting to make sure there's accountability in our financial system, till we have jobs for everybody... [huge applause]

That's why I'm asking Congress to pass Jobs Bill...

So long as I'm president, I won't stop fighting... for restoring home values... [sorry, missed some]... for giving our kids the best education... to give every American a fair shake, which is why I signed ... Lily Ledbetter Act. [lots of applause] ... credit card bill of rights... fighting for tough consumer protection agency...

I won't stop fighting to open up government. This is hard because we don't control every branch. We've put in toughest laws, ethics rules of any admin. in history. Opened up our logs, first time... Cut waste, abuse in Wash.

And I'm gonna keep on fighting for real, meaningful hcr. We got SCHIP, but we will fight to hold Big Insur. accountable... fight for providing insurance for everyone. There will be more fights ahead. I won't win every round.

We're having fight right now...we want our money back (re: banks). We want our money back! [cheers] But it's gonna be a fight, you watch.

I guarantee you, when we start trying to change regulatory reform they'll say, "Why is he meddling in financial industry?" No, I want rules in place so when they make dumb decisions, they'll be rules in place. I don't mind having a fight!

Q and A:

Q: Will you support continued Pell Grants?

A: Yes. We made, with help of Congress, enormous investment in higher education. We increased the level of each Pell Grant, and put in more money. We want to continue to do this. A lot of banks still serve as middle men, take out several billion in profits. But loans can go directly to students, so you save billions that can be put back in system.

But... even as we put more $ in, we are also trying to reach out to Universities to reduce inflation in higher education.

That's it for now...

LIVE VIDEO FEED: Obama health care town hall meeting, New Hampshire

By GottaLaff

Here you go:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Meanwhile, here's live feed of what's going on outside.

President Obama's Ohio town hall: Liveblog

By GottaLaff

Already I can see a higher energy than last night. The punditiots can now stop saying he is too low key. Maybe he just responds better to a crowd of people who don't couch their questions with Republican talking points.

He started right out with the word "change"... and job loss, collapsed financial system. He just said the Depression word.

Immediate danger has passed, but people are questioning his policies.

Passed a 2 year Recovery Act with an immediate tax cut for 95%. Extended unemployment, health coverage for those who lost jobs, emergency assistance.... Kept banking system from collapsing, helped homeowners...

Now is the second phase: Repairs, clean energy... projects. Staving off a deeper disaster. But, for the unemployed, recovery can't come soon enough. I read your letters. You are the focus of my attention.

It took us years to get into this mess, it'll take more than a few months to dig out. I will promise you this: WE WILL GET THERE.

He's listing his goals, his plans... education, rebuilding, etc. Pursuing health insurance reform, so everyone has access.

HEALTH CARE: Reform isn't just about the 46 million w/o insurance. With all the charges and criticisms, Americans may wonder what's in it for me? If you have health insurance, you'll have more security. It will KEEP THE GOVT. OUT OF HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, we will not be forcing govt. run health care, and keep the INSURANCE COMPANIES OUT OF YOUR DECISIONS TOO. You won't have to worry about pre-existing conditions. Or losing coverage if you lose your job. EVERYONE will have access to affordable plans via a marketplace.

If you run a small business, you'll also be able to choose a plan from this exchange as well.

If you're a taxpayer concerned about deficits, I am too. In the past 8 years, there were 2 large tax cuts for wealthy, funded two wars, and more WITHOUT PAYING FOR THEM. National debt doubled. We had to add to deficit in short term to deal with financial crisis.

I have to say, folks have a lot of nerve WHO GOT US INTO THIS FISCAL HOLE, TALKING ABOUT "FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY." I'm always a little surprised that people don't have a little shame, creating this mess....

The truth is, I am now president and I am responsible, and together we have to restore a sense of responsibility in Washington. Cut out what we don't need to pay for what we do.

I pledge not to sign reform if it adds one dime of deficit in next decade, and I mean what I say.

About 2/3 of health care reform by taking $ not spent wisely moved to things that will keep you healthy.

I still insist that health care reform not be paid for by middle class families.

Short term, plan must slow growth of health care costs by improving care in the long run.

Better care = lower expenses. Preventive care, mammograms, physicals end up lowering costs. Saves money, improves care.

Proposals change incentives, doctors can give best care, not just expensive care.

Eliminate waste in Medicare. Quality of care for srs. improved, AARP approves our methods as well.

Lowering costs is essential for families/businesses.

We spend one in six dollars on health care in America.

Our reform has forged an unprecedented consensus.

Quoting R "go for the kill" and "breaking me" lines. It's the American people who are being broken by declining coverage, high costs.

Happening too soon? If there's not a deadline in Wash. nothing happens. We may not be able to get bill out of Senate by end of August? That's ok, I just want them to keep working. I want the bill to be reconciled between House and Senate and DONE BY THE FALL, by the end of this year.

Too soon? That's odd. We've been talking about this since Truman. Too soon for families who see cost rise, coverage drop? Too soon? Maybe for some in Wash. but not America.

Others say this is too hard, why take it on? Americans don't shirk from a challenge! Mentions going to the moon, Kennedy.

Questions: None are preprogrammed.

Q: Plan has health care industry funding reform. Concerned. I own a Medicare certified home care agency. Budget has drastic cuts to reimbursement.

A: I don't think so. Homecare industry has endorsed reform effort.

Q: Okay, but budget has cuts for years that amounts to 13 billion?

A: The Medpac idea is to have health experts and drs. to make Medicare more cost efficient. Not just cutting, in some cases must be higher. Home care is more efficient than insitutional. In rural communities, drs aren't reimbursed enough, so they leave. We want to incentivize smart things. [Make things more efficient] Efficient smart care is good for providers and patients, and can provide higher remibursements for some.

Q: Willing to urge Reid/Pelosi to stay at work?

A: Reid said we can get this bill out of Finance Comm. by recess, then vote in fall. I want to get it right, but get it done promptly. Haven't talked to him today. As long as they work diligently, moving forward that builds consensus... No delay for sake of delay, due to worry about casting tough votes. If they're really working out tough problems, no prob. But no delay just because of politics... because they might be controversial. Medicare, Soc. Security were controversial. Roosevelt was called a socialist. But we can't be afraid to change a broken system.

Q: Medicare... doughnut hole. 1/4 seniors... so, meds v. food. Will you support House legis. to close the doughnut hole.

A: Even more, we extracted concessions from Pharma that closes it. That's why AARP endorsed the bill. Doughnut hole = you hit a ceiling where subsidies go away. You pay out of pocket, more thousands of $, and then help kicks in again. Costs srs. thousands. Reform will make sure we move to close the hole, a commitment.

Q: High school student asks how to help.

A: Plan extends insurance of parents, keep kids on until they're 25. So persuade your parents, get active. Call representatives. Everyone can do that, and should. It makes members of Congress nervous. But when you do this, make it PERSONAL. Tell your story. Sometimes the debates get abstract.

If your employer pays high premiums, that affects your salary, no raises. UNIONS MOST AFFECTED. Negotiations? Employers say they can't afford to raise hourly wage. Health care rates too high for that. So you carry the burden. That's why reform is so important, even to those who have insurance.

Q: Taxing health care benefits...? She lists the payments, from 24-50, rising into thousands. Tax credit can only benefit those who make enough $ to use a tax credit. Most don't need one. How will tax be equitable to older and female workers?

A: First, taxing: I oppose taxing of benefits of those receiving. Discussed: An expensive, fancier plan than Congress gets, cap tax deduction, so we discourage costly plans. It's legit debate to have, but I've said no to eliminating tax deduction for employers.

Q: Extend age of going on to parents' plan is fine. But large % still stuck. How can we be guaranteed?

A: Anybody would be eligible to get insurance through the exchange with subsidies for help from govt. if you can't afford it, as long as you're eligible financially. Assuming you qualify, a working person w/o a lot of money, you'd be eligible to buy through the exchange. That's the whole idea. The exchange offers private plans too. We help you purchase insurance. Any insurer w/in the exchange has to abide by rules (pre-existing, changing jobs, etc.).

Q: Provisions for prevention, and mental health services?

A: I'm a supporter of that... but in addition... issues of prevention and wellness. Ex: Nutritionist to help get wt. down before diabetes... or a counselor for a diabetes patient to help with regimen to keep disease under control. There will be reimbursements, incentives for prevention and wellness, that do not require costs from patient.

Q: Too much, too fast?

A: Great question. Get done by Aug. meant bills voted out of House/Senate by Aug., but still have to come back in fall, reconcile the two, get a new bill, back to Senate/House, and to my desk. Fall is the bottom line, but even by then, most changes phased in over several years.... in an intelligent, deliberate way. But some we need fast: Reduce prescrip. drugs for srs, or pre-existing conditions, and other things that need to get done.

Too much? No. Only by standards of Wash. politics today... anything becomes this big tangle of who's up, down, special interests, lobbyists scurrying around.... But we're not talking about scrapping existing system. If you have it, you can keep it, if you don't, we'll help. If you have it, we'll reform the industry so it can still profit... but can't engage in rules that collect premiums but don't pay out when you get sick.

What is complicated: Changing delivery systems to get more quality for less $. Won't happen over night. Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic drove down costs, maintained quality. How? They started in 1921. Drs. get salary instead of fee for service. That may not be what all drs. want to do, but there are other ways. Important is what is needed for patient, not worrying about what is the govt. saying... a million forms...

Obama to host national town hall on health Wednesday

This is honestly the first time I've had a twinge that the President might be over doing it.

WASHINGTON, June 29 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama will conduct a nationwide online town hall on healthcare in Virginia Wednesday, the White House said.

In addition to the live audience at Annandale, Obama will field questions submitted from online social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, the White House said.

Happy Obama Photos

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Obama to outline foreclosure plan in Phoenix

Arizona, Arizona. Seems to me that someone from out there tried to do something important last year, with no effect...

WASHINGTON - Several major banks are expanding their efforts to halt home foreclosures while the Obama administration develops its plan to help struggling homeowners.

The White House said President Barack Obama will outline his much-anticipated plan to spend at least $50 billion to prevent foreclosures on Wednesday in a speech in Phoenix.

(snip)

Obama's announcement next week is expected to include details about how the administration plans to spend at least $50 billion on foreclosure prevention and establish national standards for modifying home loans.

A Democratic Senate aide said Friday that the plan is likely to include hefty incentive payments designed to encourage the lending industry to lower mortgage rates or reduce the total principal amount owed by borrowers. The idea has become attractive to Obama officials, the aide said, because it is expected to be far less expensive than having the government buy up loans out of mortgage-linked securities.

VIDEO-- President Obama's Florida Town Hall Meeting: Homeless Henrietta Hughes

By GottaLaff


This touching moment was included in my earlier post. Now you can see the video. I hope homeless Henrietta Hughes doesn't have to hurt much longer. She currently lives in her car. President Obama promised his staff would talk to her after the meeting. That was after he stepped off the stage and entered the audience to give her a hug.

Via Oliver Willis:

In President Obama’s town hall about the economic crisis in Fort Myers, FL today, a woman named Henrietta Hughes - facing homelesness thanks to the crisis - gave voice to the economic concerns of real Americans being dismissed by the conservative echo chamber and the mainstream media.

Ms. Hughes asked the President: “We need something more than the vehicle and parks to go to. We need our own kitchen and our own bathroom. Please help.”

He should and knowing him, he will.