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We’re Not Campaigning Anymore – UPDATE2

By Kate Pickert | @katepickert | February 25, 2010 | +

(UPDATE: One of the quotes below was slightly off in my original version – it’s been corrected. And here’s a link to video of the exchange described below.)

President Obama and John McCain just got into a little tussle that you’ll probably see on TV later.

McCain made a statement that the Democrats crafted their bills behind closed doors and with sweetheart deals to certain states and special interests. Here’s how Obama reacted to this familiar – and somewhat true – GOP talking point:

“Let me just make this point, John, because we’re not campaigning anymore. The election’s over.”

McCain’s response:

“I’m reminded of this every day.”

After the two talked over one another for a few tense moments, the President cut off the discussion and said:

“We can have a debate about process or we can have a debate about how we’re going to help the American people at this point.”

He then turned to Health and Human Service Secretary and asked her to bring the discussion back to the scheduled topic at hand – insurance regulation.

The verdict on Twitter from reporters covering the summit: OH SNAP!

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  • apollyon07

    Wait…weren’t the bills crafted behind closed doors with special deals for certain groups (sometimes based on geography) ?
    .
    Why, yes. Yes they were.

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    Yeah, but Obama just controlled the flow of the debate and made it look like McCain was more interested in partisan politics while Obama was more interested in policy.

  • deconstructiva

    What’s all that paper in front of Cantor? Sarah Palin’s resignation speech (autographed)? Ethics complaints against her? Gov. Sanford’s emails to his Argentinean mistress?

  • apollyon07

    yeah I understand and appreciate his point but what McCain said wasn’t incorrect either.

  • kevin

    As Obama guessed, it was Cantor’s cute little prop.
    .
    I love how Republicans insist health care reform is a complex, convoluted issue, but want it solved with something the length of a haiku.

  • pafro

    Obama had his opening:

    Now John, don’t go suspending your campaign and claiming Bush and I made you do it, we’re all adults here.
    I’m glad you actually spoke up in this meeting, unlike the one you called for during the campaign and then sat silent and dumbfounded through; but just let me say that your grasp of healthcare rates right below your grasp of the economy, which you admit isn’t your strongpoint. Now why don’t you go find some low level VA secretary to browbeat since that is what you are good at.

    Next…

  • queencersei

    “Yeah, but Obama just controlled the flow of the debate and made it look like McCain was more interested in partisan politics while Obama was more interested in policy.”

    Only if you listen to the entire exchange. A mediocre editor could just cut everything after McCain’s first response. Dollars to donuts that is how it will play on Fox.

  • deconstructiva

    Yep, he noticed it, ha! We may need to write haikus later, great idea. Then he talks about ins. policies / what people buy and expect vs. cos. find ways to dump ‘em, but he didn’t mention the name “Tumulty”. A really good family example there….

  • sacredh

    Cindy’s going to have a shiner in the morning.

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    A mediocre editor would do that, sure, and I have no doubt that Glenn Beck will. However, if Obama keeps momentum off of those kinds of topics and on substance, Fox News will be hard pressed to make those types of things the story, especially with the Liberal media crowing about Obama’s smackdowns on the same clips.

  • deconstructiva

    Is AZ one of the eight states that call DV a pre-existing?

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    Actually, the other thing is that if the President keeps the entire thing on substance, the Republicans can’t play the “this thing is just for show” card, so Fox playing it won’t work anyways.

  • deathbypapers

    @sacredh I’m sorry, but that’s repulsive in spite of what we know about McCain’s past. Actually, I’m not sure if that makes it even worse.

  • shepherdwong

    LOL, sacred. I bet the dog’s going to be limping too.

  • sacredh

    The blowup Palin doll is going to be covered in tire patches too.

  • deconstructiva

    …and to realize re: 4.4 sacred is NOT joking. The Sarah Palin blowup doll really does exist. Kate will kick my ass if I post the link but it’s easy to find, also, you betcha.

  • charlieromeobravo

    Yeah, and I think that he’s doing a pretty good job trying to keep the meeting focused though it’s funny and a frustrating watching him try to come up with a new way to say “Yeah but what do you agree with in the proposals that are out there?”
    .
    Obama’s got a tough job today, tougher than anyone else’s. It’s not like herding house cats, it’s like herding a dozen house cats in a room fully canaries. On top of trying to focus the meeting he also is forced to respond to Republican misinformation and provocations from guys like McCain (who is just coming off like he’s still pissed about the election).

  • sacredh

    I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about or where you can pick it up for $59.99. The picture of Palin on the main politics page with the shiner gave me the idea.

  • deconstructiva

    I didn’t see that photo until now, that’s a good one.

  • afguy

    Went out and read the ad copy for that (or at least the satire of it).
    .
    I’ll stop snickering about that sometime tomorrow…

  • freeinpa

    Interesting statement from a man who started a campaign for 2012. One could actually argue truthfully Obama never stopped campaigning.

  • http://mombyrd52.wordpress.com mombyrd52

    It’s too bad that they quit making WestWing episodes just when the new guy (hispanic) was elected. THEN we’d know how it turns out and if i can get chemo therapy while living under a bridge. REALLY! watch the last season of WestWing, circa 2006! the whole election issues, etc.. where like a glimpse into the future. Right down to the new Pres. (a non-caucasion) making his running opponent the Secratary of State, AND a black guy playing a blues rendition of God Bless America at the inauguration ceremony!! it’s eery actually but also depressing that we have not come any closer to resolving our issues, than the last West Wing episode in 2006.

  • http://mombyrd52.wordpress.com mombyrd52

    and who were crafting those bills and didn’t invite the press?

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