Yeah, they don’t look happy. (ap photo)
President Obama this evening sits down with Bret Baier from Fox News to talk about health care and presumably other topics. In excerpts released by the network, the president waves off all this pesky “procedural” stuff that Washington insiders are so preoccupied with:
“I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about what the procedural rules are in the House or Senate. What I can tell you is that the vote that’s taken in the House will be a vote for health care reform. And if people vote yes, whatever form that takes, that is going to be a vote for health care reform. And I don’t think we should pretend otherwise. And if they don’t, if they vote against it, then they’re going to be voting against health care reform and they’re going to be voting in favor of the status quo. So Washington gets very concerned with these procedures in Congress, whether Republicans are in charge or Democrats are in charge.”
As recently as Monday, Obama was still calling for an “up or down” vote on reform. Now, House Democratic leaders have a plan to pass fixes to the Senate health care bill, but spare members having to actually vote on the bill itself by “deeming” the Senate bill passed.
The move would spare moderates who don’t want to be on record supporting the bill, and could save the president’s bacon if this week’s big vote hustle comes up short.
Scoffing off the contemplated parliamentary maneuvers as a silly “Washington” preoccupation also handily dispenses with transparency, accountability and responsibility, all in one deft talking point.
The interview airs tonight on Fox at 6 p.m.
Bret looks skeptical in the Blue Room. (FNC)
