You could tell this was a great speech by watching the reaction of the Republicans in the chamber. For much of the speech most GOPers wore the faces that usually only come out during their annual prostate exams as they sat and watched the President undercut every idiotic straw man the conservatives have erected since summer started and then aggressively addressed the small number of legitimate concerns left over.

The wingnuts were behaving like JR High kids receiving a lecture on the importance of not setting off the fire alarms. They were fidgeting and acting out like the kids who are guilty as sin but were sure the principal had no proof it was them. Unfortunately, the idiot that yelled out will not even get detention but will likely become a hero in conservative circles. I hope (but doubt) this guy is from a competative district (have we seen any evidience of self discipline, self control and maturity or even civility from conservatives since the health care debate started?).

When Obama threw the Public Option criteria under the bus [to keep Van Jones and Reverend Wright and Obama's own grandmother company] Nancy Pelosi looked like she was being reamed out with a barbed wire festooned fist. That was ONE UNHAPPY Speaker of the House. Cool!

Not as unhappy as the right wing whack jobs are going to be when a health care bill passes and is signed into law.

the elderly, who would lose half a trillion dollars in Medicare will be even more unhappy. And those folks vote, you know...

As one of them, I aint buying what you are trying to sell. Where is the 12.7 Trillion that has been stolen from the SS and Medicare trust funds over the years to pay for tax cuts for the rich, unfunded wars, and corporate welfare?

Oh grow up. Those of us with jobs who pay taxes etc. ALSO VOTE. And we will eventually win this fight. Just like we won the election.

gringo_911:

the elderly, who would lose half a trillion dollars in Medicare will be even more unhappy. And those folks vote, you know...

And they also know that Republicans voted against the creation of Medicare and will try to destroy it any way they can.

If Obama takes 1/2 a trillion......the GOP wants to eliminate ALL of it.

islesfan:

You could tell this was a great speech by watching the reaction of the Republicans in the chamber. For much of the speech most GOPers wore the faces that usually only come out during their annual prostate exams as they sat and watched the President undercut every idiotic straw man the conservatives have erected since summer started and then aggressively addressed the small number of legitimate concerns left over.

The wingnuts were behaving like JR High kids receiving a lecture on the importance of not setting off the fire alarms. They were fidgeting and acting out like the kids who are guilty as sin but were sure the principal had no proof it was them. Unfortunately, the idiot that yelled out will not even get detention but will likely become a hero in conservative circles. I hope (but doubt) this guy is from a competative district (have we seen any evidience of self discipline, self control and maturity or even civility from conservatives since the health care debate started?).

Nicely put comments here.

And I agree with the "GOP brat" angle you have going here. Obama is playing them like a deck of cards and they fall for it so easily.

The President comes across as reasonable and open to compromise (mentioning McCain's campaign idea, indicating he is open to some form of medical malpractice reform, etc)

And what does the GOP do?

They sit there with arms crossed (defensive posture for sure) and pouting lips (BRAT!!). The negative body language they gave off was undeniable and most people simply don't like that. Would you buy a car from a pissed-off car salesman? Yeah, neither would I.

So Obama is using this speech to move forward (and yes, return to campaign mode) over the next few weeks and the tables have been turned.

The angry August is over - all the birthers, tea-baggers, etc got a chance to air out their grievences. But the writing is on the wall - healthcare insurance reform IS going to happen here soon (probably very early next year - right before the State Of The Union speech). Everyone in DC and around the nation knows it. Now we get down to specifics.

Gonna be really interesting!