Obama to Lefties: Don't Bash Health Care Moderates

President urges advocates to promote his health care agenda instead

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 4, 2009 5:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama wants his liberal allies to stop heckling moderate Democrats on health care, the Washington Post reports. “We shouldn’t be focusing resources on each other,” Obama said in a phone call with a handful of senior House and Senate lawmakers. Grass-roots groups have been slamming legislators for taking health-care industry endorsements or failing to support a public plan.

Democracy for America threw the biggest punch, producing a video that calls Sen. Mary Landrieu a "sellout" for accepting $1.6 million in health industry donations. MoveOn.org was planning to run ads today slamming Sen. Kay Hagan, but pulled them when she endorsed public health care. Obama said he'd rather see liberals pull together: "We ought to be focused on winning this debate."

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

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President Barack Obama gestures during his interview with The Associated Press, Thursday, July 2, 2009, in the West Wing of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama gestures as he answers questions during a discussion on health care, Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale , Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

President Barack Obama listens to a question during a news conference at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Democracy for America has branded Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) a "sellout." (AP Photo/Cheryl Gerber)

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This ad, produced by Change Congress, urges Louisiana voters to hold Sen. Mary Landrieu accountable. (ChangeYourCongress)

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We've been promoting reform and yes, asking members of the public to contact their senators. It's all in support of reform. - Richard Kirsch,
Health Care for America Now

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

Loafer

Jul 5, 2009 5:05 AM CDT

A report on Faux News pointed out that Democrats don't yet have a "super-majority" of 60. In fact, with the Blue Dogs likely to vote with the repugs, the Democrats have a hard time coming up with 51 votes. I just don't understand why those scumbags are called "moderates."

prowlerzee

Jul 5, 2009 4:06 AM CDT

hahahahahaha!!!! It's sooooooooo funny watching you Hopium Huffing Obots struggling so hard against a single clue. the Trojan Ass is doing exactly what he's done all along---his corporate masters' bidding. You "college eductaed" peabrains thought you elected him with $5 donations? hahahahahaha!!!!!! And his screwing your pooch before he was even elected and voting for telecom immunity in spying on Americans wasn't enough of a clue? Don't blame Democrats---we had real democrats running, but no, you brain trusts had to install a corporate puppet instead.

Fondue

Jul 4, 2009 10:36 AM CDT

omg did i just say that?!!?

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Barack Obama • Congress • Mary Landrieu • MoveOn • grassroots • health care reform

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Obama to Lefties: Don't Bash Health Care Moderates