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Obama Denounces Media's Focus on Health Care Protests

'TV loves a ruckus,' he says

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 14, 2009 3:50 PM CDT

(AP) – President Obama today denounced the media's emphasis on angry protesters at health care town halls, the AP reports. "TV loves a ruckus," he said. Trying to sell his overhaul plan amid an increasingly noisy and partisan debate, Obama told a crowd of about 1,300 in Montana: "What you haven't seen on TV and what makes me proud are the many constructive meetings going on all over the country."

While hundreds demonstrated outside, there was no sign of protesters inside the hangar where the meeting was held. The crowd was civil, though Obama did get some pointed questions. "The only way you're going to get that money is raise our taxes," one man said. "You are absolutely right.…We're going to have to find money from somewhere," Obama responded. But he said there were other ways to fund the program, including streamlining the system and eliminating what he called subsidies to insurance companies.

The crowd cheers as President Barack Obama arrives for a town hall meeting on health care at a hanger at Gallatin Airfield  in Belgrade, Mont. Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
The crowd cheers as President Barack Obama arrives for a town hall meeting on health care at a hanger at Gallatin Airfield in Belgrade, Mont. Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (Alex Brandon)
President Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting on health care reform in Belgrade, Mont., Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.
President Barack Obama speaks at a town hall meeting on health care reform in Belgrade, Mont., Friday, Aug. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
cornelison
Aug 16, 2009 3:54 AM CDT
When people find out how well Obama's ideas are playing out the more they'll like it. That's what the GOP & their cronies in the insurance companies are AFRAID of.
cornelison
Aug 16, 2009 3:51 AM CDT
It is a right in other CIVILIZED countries.
cornelison
Aug 16, 2009 3:49 AM CDT
If you ever receive and unemployment, welfare, medicare, medicaid check please be consistent & return them all back to the govt. Oh yes, the road you drive on are provided by socialism too.

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