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Obama Makes Final Plea: 'We're 24 Hours Away'

Says it's the most important step since Medicare

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 20, 2010 4:04 PM CDT

(AP) – Victory within reach, President Obama rallied House Democrats today for a final health care push. "After a year of debate ... we're 24 hours away," said the president during a visit to Capitol Hill. “Every once in a while a moment comes where you have a chance to vindicate all the best hopes you had," he said. "This is one of those moments.”

The president called the bill the "single most important step that we have taken on health care since Medicare" and tried to ease the fears of political repercussions. Once the bill goes into effect, people will see the benefits and realize that "lo and behold, nobody's pulling the plug on granny." The vote remains planned for tomorrow as last-minute negotiations continue to get 216 votes.

President Obama with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Saturday.
President Obama with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi Saturday.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Obama gives a 'thumbs-up' during his visit to Capitol Hill Saturday.
President Obama gives a 'thumbs-up' during his visit to Capitol Hill Saturday.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Obama speaks during his visit to Capitol Hill Saturday.
President Obama speaks during his visit to Capitol Hill Saturday.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 65 comments
Molotov
Mar 21, 2010 8:46 PM CDT
"24 hours away from creating a Republican landslide this fall"
ramstar
Mar 21, 2010 12:03 PM CDT
With about 7 hours to go before the vote, I am wondering why something that should be easy to support and approve - making sure American citizens are able to get the health care they need in a fairly timely manner at a reasonable price - has proven to be an enormous and possibly futile endeavor. Are we becoming the UNITED States of America in name only in regards to health care? A country where it comes down to where you live ( Hawaii for instance ) or where you work or how much money you have that determines whether you live or die? It's funny how people with huge incomes like Limbaugh ( $400 million ), Beck ( $23 million ) and O'Reilly ( $10 million ) are so against a bill that is trying to help the less fortunate.
cornelison
Mar 21, 2010 3:16 AM CDT
64% of eligible voters went to the polls. Where's the other 36%. Cable news NEVER mentions them. Progressives need to know who they are and convince them to vote for compassionate candidates in November. Here are the 10 reasons why Americans don't vote. Please do something about it.
http://san-antonio.movingtoana...

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