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Obama turns health care vote into fundraising tool

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
11/08/09 8:05 AM EST

Scarcely more than an hour after the House narrowly passed the Democrats' health care legislation Saturday night, President Obama sent out a fundraising email asking supporters for money to push a national health care bill through the Senate.

"This is a night to celebrate -- but not to rest," Obama writes in a fundraising appeal sent by Organizing for America, the permanent version of his 2008 presidential campaign. "Can you donate $25 or whatever you can afford so we can finish this fight?"

Obama says Organizing for America will need lots of cash for the Senate battle. "The final Senate bill hasn't even been released yet, but the insurance companies are already pressing hard for a filibuster to bury it," Obama writes. The "insider lobbyists and partisan operatives" are now "desperate" after their "old formula of scare tactics, D.C. back-scratching and special-interest money" failed to stop the Democratic health care bill.

"Don't think for a minute that power concedes without a fight," Obama reminds his fundraising targets. "Please donate to Organizing for America's campaign to win this fight and ensure that real health care reform reaches my desk by the end of this year."

Organizing for America, which is under the umbrella of the Democratic National Committee, claims its supporters have made 502,651 phone calls to congressional offices since October 20, all urging the passage of health care reform.

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Reader Comments

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Guy Jones

Nov 8, 2009

The sad thing about this entire fiasco is that Obama had a genuine opportunity to use his clout to push for a truly bi-partisan bill, instead of paying lip service only to the notion. If he had displayed an ounce of backbone and been willing to stand up to the far left of his party and say, "Actually, I think tort reform and interstate health care plan competition should be a part of this," he would have found plenty of GOP support. Instead, we are left with a toxic bill bereft of good ideas, and chock full of oppressive mandates and taxes.

Guy Jones

Nov 8, 2009

But, as I've stated all along, from the Dems' perspective, this entire exercise was never about passing truly beneficial reform that would lower costs and increase coverage. Sadly, from day one, it was solely about advancing a highly partisan vision of an expanded federal welfare state. When you have a president and a party committed to pushing an agenda based upon ideology as opposed to sound policy and ideas, this is the unfortunate end result.

Archie Moore

Nov 8, 2009

It occurs to me, that, when one thinks about it, it is pretty amazing that with all the time Obama and his cohorts (Reid, Pelosi, et. al) have had over the past year to cajole, beg, arm-twist and log-roll to get legislators to pass this insane bill, to pass it by only 5 votes when the Dems control the chamber by a substantial majority truly reveals that major misgivings exist about this bill, even among some of those who voted for it. A bill that had true substantive merit and was premised on bi-partisan ideas, would have garnered far greater support.

Sharon

Nov 8, 2009

With unemployment at 10.2%, tax revenues will be down at the federal, state, and local levels. Will the president ask for fundraisers to control our huge (and growing) national debt? Congress voted themselves a pay raise, yet denied it (COLA) for our seniors; will the president hold a fundraiser for our elderly? The liberal special interest group Moveon.org has already raised $3million to fight senators opposing healthcare; the presidents time would be better spent solving our huge debt and creating jobs!

Joe

Nov 8, 2009

Hey Nobama.. it's the economy stupid!!!

Chisten

Nov 8, 2009

What happens when the government disconnects itself from the Constitution, and the will of the people. Will we see our "leaders" refuse to recognise an election that attempts to throw them out? Will we see a Supreme court,refuse to recognize the unconstitutionality of this legislation?
Will This Country tolerate the frustration created by an out of touch government? For the first time in my life I'm afraid for my Country.

Nov 8, 2009

This is no time for fear, Christen. We must sustain our efforts without falling down. Continue to press for representation from your senators. Call or go to their offices to make your voice heard. In addition, there is an important election coming up in less than a year. What are you going to do to help take the country from these statetists. All hands on deck!

Nov 8, 2009

Obama and Congress are trying to demoralize opposition. It is clear that this government is representing only itself and it's party political interests. Are you going to let Pelosi demoralize you? Obama? Would you give them that power?

Nov 8, 2009

The mission is to get health care dollars flowing to the federal government, so that votes can be purchased by the party currently in power in perpetuity.
The goal is not to provide health care, but to sieze and destroy insurance companies and their profits. Make no mistake, the power grab in Washington is about obtaining and controlling more and more money. Takeover of the pharmaceutical companies is coming next.

oldpap

Nov 8, 2009

When your HANDLERS tell you (BO) you/they want total control over the nation , you don't spend your time trying to do what is RIGHT FOR the nation.

John

Nov 8, 2009

Guy, nicely said. (And that is not sarcastic, btw) Except you're missing one thing: Obama IS the far left of his party. He only plays at centrism. He needs to stand up to the far left, only so much as to keep his cover.

Sharon

Nov 8, 2009

The Health Care industry is the LARGEST employer in America. Unemployment is now at 10.2%, even after the president promised the Stimulus/Recovery Act would create/save jobs. Can we afford more job losses?

bulldawg

Nov 8, 2009

502 thousand phone calls won't help these idiots NOVEMBER 2, 2010. 220 members of congress had better start looking for a job.
www.givemeliberty2010.com

momo

Nov 8, 2009

If only we could force all of the people that voted for this to have to have the same health care plan that they are FORCING on us. That would be interesting to see how the vote would change. Bet Pelosi would not even vote yes on that one. She is old and to ration care for an old fart like her w/ health going soon would make her think twice if she was rationed. Just think if Kennedy was rationed, he would have died yr ago. (I can only dream) Think he would have gotten his surgery so quick?

George

Nov 8, 2009

"D.C. back-scratching and special-interest money"

Why is Obama talking about the lawyer lobby? Oh, wait, never mind.

Patty

Nov 8, 2009

I am just totally in shock they passed this idiotic health care bill. Over 75% or the American public does NOT want this. I see this isn't really about what the people want it's to solidify Obama's place in history as the most destructive president ever! He has always had his agenda from the beginning. Create his big government along with his big ego. 2010 can't come any faster, vote these idiots out. I think there should be term limits on both. 8 years max just like the president.

Nov 9, 2009

Why wait for 2010 or 2012 to get these bozos out of office? We can certainly assist Obama and his administration solidify its place in history by making it the shortest-run administration in American history. Time for a National Recall Election.

bobc

Nov 9, 2009

Odd that the 1st biracial President would sabotage his own legacy...being an Anti-America, Euro loving, UN puppet.

It is he, that is destroying the Democratic Party...as well as denying our elderly certain treatments!

markit8dude

Nov 9, 2009

It's astounding there are so many useful idiots in both political, special interest circles for this thing!

'Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' is an honor for which were to accomplish at our own doing. Not some lawyer turned politician to 'bequeath' or 'ordain' us with.

What the *ell happened to culpabilty for our own actions?

This is the VERY reason our forefathers left England in its rear view. Now OUR politicians are pushing the very same thing though selling it as 'care' is truly vile.

bob

Nov 10, 2009

Join the campaign to say NO to socialized medicine!

Send a personalized note to your members of Congress (or ALL members) and tell them to vote NO on Obamacare – before it’s too late!

http://conservativeoutpost.com/campaign/cta/tell_congress_no_socialized_medicine

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Obama turns health care vote into fundraising tool

By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
11/08/09 8:05 AM EST