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Obama Gets Personal, Cites Grandmother's Death

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 15, 2009 9:38 PM CDT

(AP) – Now it's personal. President Barack Obama invoked his own anguish over the death of his grandmother as he challenged the notion that Democratic efforts to overhaul the nation's health care would include so-called death panels. "I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it's like to watch somebody you love, who's aging, deteriorate and have to struggle with that," he told the crowd in Colorado.

He took issue with "the notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so they can go around pulling the plug on grandma." When critics "start making arguments like that, that's simply dishonest—especially when I hear the arguments coming from members of Congress in the other party who, turns out, sponsored similar provisions," Obama said.

President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama waves during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama waves during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (Ed Andrieski)
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This is not easy. ... There is no perfect painless silver bullet out there that solves every problem, gives everybody health care for free. There isn't. I wish there was. - President Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
BackAgain
Aug 18, 2009 12:28 PM CDT
Alinsky's : "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Well now we know why the Grandma clause was invoked by this half breed.
BackAgain
Aug 16, 2009 12:11 PM CDT
Do you have a point? Hate-the left is the best at it. Do not agree with them well it would be ok to put you in a gas chamber. No problem, no remorse. Sick and dangerous.
BackAgain
Aug 16, 2009 12:08 PM CDT
It is American to grab all the free shit you can? Life is tough and unfair and you and your president can not change that. You deserve nothing but can can earn everything.

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