Call me an optimist, but yes I think he can win over the critics. I have to believe common sense will win out. It is distressing to think so many people choose to believe outrageous lies despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary – there are a lot of closed minded people out there that refuse to see reality.

Not as long as his plan includes a government option, "co-op" with the government, or a "trigger" to a government option. All that really has to be done would be a bit of what the president talked about last night: Make it illegal to not cover pre-existing conditions or drop coverage, make it mandatory or fine people, TORT reform, and one he didn't talk about to open up the market nationwide to allow more competition. If the government option is passed that will just drive more people to that option via government subsidies and thus drive the cost of private insurance even higher. Health Care Reform could be accomplished with a bill of less than 10 pages. Why do we need a bill of over 1000 pages to completely restructure our current system when a few tweaks on the existing system would quite possibly do the job better? Why reinvent the wheel? Look at Medicare and Medicaid and how they are growing broke. If the government can not run these programs, how can they run another government option? As previously stated, the reason costs are going so high so fast is because more and more elderly are going on Medicare and overwhelming the system as well as the fixed rate of Medicare payment to doctors so when their cost of living goes up by only 3% then private insurance must go up by at least double since Medicare covers less and less of the out of pockets costs every year and it is still going broke. If Medicare covers the elderly and Medicaid covers the poor, then why do we still have 30 million uninsured (revised by the president last night to take out all the uninsured illegal immigrants). There are some simple fixes that I mentioned above that would repair our broken system, but it appears Princess Pelosi and Prince Harry are not willing to compromise.

I believe his speech on health care (9/9/09) should have put to rest any doubters. The health care bill is a way for those upset with having an Africian American Presidentis to act out against him. This is truly sad. Get over it!

His critics? No, they've proven to be irrational, and as the man said, there's no use arguing with a dining room table. The president *can* win over the public, on the other hand, and they're the ones that count. Obama was elected on a platform of reform, and it's time we started getting that.

The question included "win over his critics" - based on the outbursts of the critics last night, and at town hall meetings, I can not see that happening. My advice would be to count votes: bank on the support; and lobby those in the middle until the requisite number of votes is reached. Further, I would now attempt the reform in increments: pass what parts are acceptable now, and then work on the more challenging aspects, tackling progressively harder chuncks.
Finally, my advice to Express readers is to learn another lesson from last night: be proactive and don't rely on the government to keep you healthy - stay (or become) fit, and avoid risky behavior. No government plan will 'save' you. Good luck America.

Like the mindless zombies chanted during his campaign, "Yes we can, yes we can" have socialistic medicine.

Joe Wilson showed such disrespect towards President Obama when he shouted out as the President pitched his health care bill. If I lived in S.C. he would not be representing me. His tone and attitude were inappropriate. I hope his constitutes show him the same when voting time comes around.

People are just too close-minded and set in their ways to be convinced of anything even if it is completely rational and beneficial to the country.

That's the best part of winning an election with a mandate, and having a Congressional supermajority: he doesn't have to win over his critics! All he has to do is get his own party to step in line, and everything will be Kosher. But that's a bit easier said than done, isn't it now?

Not unless he can do better than he did yesterday.
Was Buf., Now Was. hit it right on the nose -- unless Obama does a better job of keeping Democratic majorities in both houses in line, he can beat on the GOP all year and it simply won't matter. I know it's easier short-term gratification to throw red meat to your base by blaming it all on evil Republicans, but when you have majorities and can't make them produce, it says something not good about your understanding of how the system works. One thinks he would have gotten the idea by now that all Congressmen (i.e., the lower house, which is called that for a reason) think no further ahead than the next election and see little else but the trouble they'll be in getting re-elected if they get tarred with backing a bill that is (fairly or not) judged as "too extreme."

Well, by critics, do you mean the fire-breathing, take-no-prisoners, win-at-all costs, children who only want to play politics, and not actually DO anything to improve the situation of health care in America...if you mean them, then no.

Sadly, that seems to be the whole of the republican party at the moment. More interested in "beating" the president and the democrats than actually affecting positive change...sigh.

YOU LIE

It'll be an uphill climb; but, yes he can win. It's my belief that the Republicans are working hand in hand with the health care organizations to keep Obama from winning.

The fact that this legislation even needs to be "sold" should tell you something. The majority of the country is against socialized medicine and no matter how you dress it up, that's exactly what Obama is trying to cram down our throats.

The critics? Never. Their ideology blinds them to all reason and rationality. However, there is still an opportunity to win over the skeptics, which is what the president sought to do last night.

@ LOL
As a fan of the zombie genre, you must've loved this summer's town hall meetings: "Hitlerbamanazi!...[drool]...Deathpaneldoctor!...[belch]...Socialismmedicare!...[groan]." Why, it wouldn't surprise me if some of those brainstem intellectuals made it into the next installment of "Dawn of the Dead".

"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig." Those critics are like the pigs in that they will not be won over. Don't waste time on them. He can win over those who are willing to listen and learn, but never those whose minds are already closed.

That is still left to be seen. Obama can't even win over members of his own party much less his many other critics.

B. Greene,

I take it you have never let anything slip out of your mouth that you regret like Joe Wilson did last night? Maybe your first racist comment about those that oppose the president do so, not because of his radical policies, but because they are racist? So were those that acted out against Bush just doing so because they were upset with having a White President? Just two sides of the same coin. You are clearly a racist.

If the congress wants no part of this proposal for their own healthcare, why would I?

We already know Nancy is a Loon, but Irritated in VA, have you been drinking the D.C. water (Kool-Aid)?

The Republicans have been making suggestions to "fix" health care, but Democrats, except Max Baucus, refuse to listen to their ideas or those of the American people that they suggested at these Town Hall Meeting where I guess those for AND against health care reform, or is it health insurance reform now (keeps changing so that it is a bit difficult to keep up with lately just like Global Warming (now called Climate Change since the Earth has been cooling this decade)) were "fabricated." Joe Wilson is Right is correct. If the Dems do this alone, then they will be unable to point their crooked fingers at Republicans when things crash and burn (fail horribly). What will they do then since that is all the "change" we have seen is finger pointing when it comes to who is at fault for various issues. Socialized medicine, here we come.

Drooling Diogenes,
I didn't realize you were bused in to the Town Hall Meetings. Do you work for COI or SEIU?

Maybe it's less important that he be able to "win over" critics of his plan than that he modify his plan so that it garners support on its merit.

We can do it without those a-holes!!!

I hope not. I really need to see a doctor about this tingling I've had in my leg for the last year, and don't want to deal with the waits this plan will bring.

Perhaps he could have won over critics last night, IF he had done more than just repeat a bunch of lies, half-truths, and partisan c*ap. While there may be short term bump in public reaction, I think the American people have started to see where this man is coming from. Just sad that so many were fooled last fall.

Do not arouse the wrath of the great and powerful Obama!

I don't see why not. After all, the Great Uniter promised to "reach across the aisle", heal our wounds, etc., etc.

To all who are referencing the "right wing" lunatics at town halls:
It was an Obama supporter who bit off a passerby's finger.

@ LOL
Wow, I don't know how to break this to you other than to be absolutely direct. The mindless Fox-bots you saw lumbering across your TV screen weren't liberals, they were conservatives like you. Also, they weren't bused in, but rather hatched from pods. I hope that clarifies. Now, back to the non-debate!.....

He will win by forgetting about his critics and acting on what he thinks is best. After all, we didn't elect a bipartisan president, we elected a president who promoted change. Besides, Bush never gave any mind to his critics and he certainly did lie.

No, but he doesn't have to. Just as in the election, he only needs to secure his supporters and calm the independents. He has the support of the American people, he just needs to active it.

Dumbfounded Diogenes,
Please seek help. You are in a serious state of denial. This says it all. Stop licking lemonade.
http://hotairpundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/obama-town-hall-supporters-in-new.html
http://www.wmur.com/video/20358253/index.html
http://www.atr.org/happened-outside-obamas-town-hall-meeting-a3757
Please get a job.

Veronica,
Wake up. He ran on bipartisanship and with the exception of 2 Republicans in the Senate he has been 100% partisan.

The only critics that matter will be the Congressional Budget Office.

Since the government is going to compete--the government option should not be limited to those who cannot afford insurance--but available to anyone who wants it.

Since the government is going to create an option available in all 50 states, every other insurance company should be able to do the same.

Tort reform is a must and should be included in the legislation--not just off the books pilot programs.

As someone stated earlier, the critics are those that still can not stomach the fact that the President of the United States of America is an African-American. Opposing health care for the less fortunate, carrying guns to rallys where he will be speaking and objecting to him speaking to children on education...only RACISM will allow folks to be so close-minded. Joe Wilson represents many white americans in the U.S., who claim Civil Rights and "i have a black friend" but the President being black to folks like him...is like their daughter coming to Thanksgiving dinner with Sidney Poitier...the white man can not stomach the idea. And the more he listens and sees Barack's success...the angrier he becomes which results in outbursts like last night. A racist man is a jealous man and a jealous man is a DANGEROUS man. And there are a lot of folks supporting the racist agenda quietly...it's almost like the days of old...you see their faces during the day...but at night they wear a white hood with only their jealous and sinful eyes in view. Please answer one question...WHEN has it been okay to carry a loaded handgun to a rally where the President of the United States will be speaking and NOT be arrested or REMOVED from area immediately? Rhetorical question...but here is the answer Jim Crow is still alive and breeding!

Joe Wilson, following his apology, should be commended for stating what even Hussein's supporters know (and won't admit)...HE LIED. Lying does not "win over critics"; it deceives them. Let us hope they keep their eyes and ears open. As for the detractors who aver the critics are using scare tactics, I suggest you find and read the effen bill before you open your mouths. Your "man" lies; blatantly and by omission.

@ LOL
All this time I thought you were capable of discerning humor from serious posting. Clearly this is not the case. My sincere apologies.

No. You can’t win over critics if you do not have a good plan or argument to convince them. The Obama administration is not listening, does not understand or does not care about the concerns of the American people.

I think he is trying to rush this bill’s approval before his popularity gets even worse and a new and smarter Congress is voted in November. If he waits too long, people will learn what is in the bill and realize that among other items, the very people that voted him into office and want free government programs will be the ones that cannot afford it and be fined as the bill describes.

The summaries I read have a lot of red tape, noses in your personal business/finances, and at a high cost to taxpayers. The basic rule of government is if they pay for a benefit for you, they have the right to control you. I think our Congressmen can come up with something better by just scraping this bill and asking their constituents for suggestions on how to improve the current system. It would be a lot cheaper to implement.

As much as health care Communists want to believe the opposite, some people have principles and refuse to continue being looted by an out of control authoritarian mob (i.e. Federal Gov) so that some politicians can be re-elected.

Their "critics" are not willing to stand by, and refuse to accept more government involvement in an industry where it has a proven track record of failure. We don't have a "private" health care industry any more than China has freedom. Wake up and learn the history, Marxists.

Perhaps the question should be "Will Obama ever have the common sense to get government and employers out of the medical industry?"

If VA coverage is good, and Medicare is good, why wouldn't the Republicans want to see those programs offered to anyone who doesn't have other insurance?

The right wing refuses to compromise, and that's why Obama can't win them over.

If he's going to, he's gonna have to read some better words off the teleprompter than he did last night.

I know we're not supposed to mention this, but, to everyone who's saying Wilson's a racist or critics are racist or anyone who doesn't want Obama appointed Dictator-for-Life is racist, just a reminder:
Obama's only HALF black.

It's gotta be easier than winning over critics of continuation of the "stimulus" package.

Psssssst@1:35PM: Don't confuse the issue with facts. There is enough of that going around already!

@ Roger "I'm a flaming racist" Woods

I know you said it was rhetorical but I'll answer anyway.

"WHEN has it been okay to carry a loaded handgun to a rally where the President of the United States will be speaking and NOT be arrested or REMOVED from area immediately?"

Since December 15, 1791

It will hard to win over those in the GOP who put party over country. But we will get a heatlh care bill, which will disappoint the RNC trolls who like to hang out here.

Ah, wait a minute, please.
Unless I am mistaken, the Dems control the WH, the House, and the Senate. Therefore, nothing has to be "sold" and the Prez doesn't have to "win over" anybody outside his party, UNLESS there is something that the majority of folks do not accept (be they Congress critters or constituents). Why the need for town halls, and Presidential addresses, etc if there is nothing amiss?

Why does the bill require over 1,000 pages? What will 1,000 pages fix that can't be fixed with 10 (a few more or less) pages?
Why did the Congressman say he needed a staff of politicos and a legal team to preview and decipher it, and tell him what it all means? What will the current plan fix?
Has ANY defender of the current plan stated what laws (or sections of laws) on the books are flawed and must be revised?
Please help me here.

@ George Washington
I agree with you on one score: the reform plan as outlined by the president will fail. However, it won't be due to its overreach, but rather to its timidity. Tinkering around the edges of this ailing colossus is akin to sticking chewing gum on the hull of the Titanic. In fact, nothing short of a radical overhaul will spare our nation's health care system. Now, whereas you want the government removed from every facet of our lives [Somalia provides a good example of this model], I prefer the approach taken by every other wealthy, developed, democratic country on Earth: i.e., guaranteed health care for all. If that makes me a socialist on this issue, so be it. Incidentally, the "radical" approach I support includes sweeping tort reform, the promotion of interstate insurance competition, and curbs on the growth of Medicare and Medicaid.

Only if you are dumb enough to believe that if the U.S. government built its own car dealerships next door to existing dealerships and sold the same cars but didn't need to make a profit or pay taxes and told the automakers they would pay less for each car than the non government dealerships and you believed the old dealerships would be just fine, then Obama's lies worked.

Actually, Somalia is one of the better off African nations if you compare them to the ones with corrupt/criminal centralized governments. And they have a fast growing economy (violence and it's past government set them back quite a bit so they have a lot of catching up to do). Gotta compare apples with apples, comparing a 1st world nation to a 3rd isn't the same under any circumstances.

But Somalia isn't government-free, there are still bands of thugs controlled by warlords causing their usual problems (multiple de facto governments) and lots of foreign influence.

Our government does so many things to raise the cost and lower the quality of health insurance, it's too many to list here. Industries tend to be more screwed up the more the government is involved with them: health care, housing, banking, auto, energy, etc, and they get better as the government is less involved--it's not a coincidence.

@ George Washington
Actually, Somalia scrapes the bottom of the barrel in terms of GDP per capita (US$600), leading only four other basket-case, post-conflict African countries in terms of human misery and squalor. But let's forget about that. Instead, let's use your apples-to-apples criterion and look at a fellow wealthy, developed democracy: Italy. Largely in the south --but not exclusively-- organized crime has stepped in to fill the void left by government. There justice is meted out and "order" maintained through violence or the threat of violence, with no recourse for the people (after all the mafia ain't no democracy). Yes, yesm, I'm talking about that old saw about power hating a vacuum. So go ahead and revile the government. Heck, lop off its head and set up a dystopian, Libertarian paradise. Just don't be surprised if the Eden you create is nastier and more oppressive than the one you left behind.

Roger Woods,
Yet another racist yourself. See my 9:40 AM post. I guess those that opposed Bush over the last 8 years were racist also, right, or does that only apply to whites against blacks as Sotomayor believes as seen with her lack of judgment in the New Haven 20? Show me where you found that the gun was loaded because everything I have seen on the incident was that it was unloaded. And to think that I thought Obama was destined to unite us in peace. I guess he is failing miserably at that job.
Anonymous @ 12:02 PM,
You are 100% correct. I am certain all these loons have not read HR3200 as sure as most of Congress or BO has not read it either.
Little Brother,
You need to stop watching MSNBC since you are like their 5th supporter. Republicans have been bringing ideas to the table, but Pelosi and Reid have been ignoring them. And to think that Obama made a campaign promise to "reach across the aisle." Other than Olympia and Snow who might as well become Democrats like Specter switched, I have yet to see it. Wake up and smell the Kool-Aid you are clearly drinking. FYI, since you have clearly been sleeping or high Medicare is severely in the red and Obama wants to offer a similar program to all when the government obviously can not run Medicare. Get a clue pothead.
Dishonest Abe,
FYI, Lincoln was a REPUBLICAN! Maybe you should learn your history old man. What are you, like 200 now? WOW, what an accomplishment!