Jindal Slams 'Dishonest' Health Plan

President slides by on half-truths on health care: Krauthammer

(NEWSER) - Joe Wilson wasn’t quite right. President Obama doesn’t lie, exactly, writes Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post, but he still has an odd “relationship to the truth.” For example, Obama promised to veto any bill that grew the deficit, then with his very next sentence promised to require more cuts “if the savings we promised don’t materialize.” But Congress can’t be forced to do anything. "Every year since 2003, Congress has waived the cuts." More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama “is currently just flinging stuff against the wall, in trillion-dollar chunks, to see what sticks,” and his plans for health care are no different, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal writes on Politico. Thanks to failed bailouts and a “trillion-dollar stimulus that has not stimulated,” America is up to its neck in deficits, and the Democrats’ health plans will drive up costs and decrease quality. "This here is a fine pot of gumbo," scolds Jindal, a GOP hopeful for 2012. More»

(NEWSER) - Drawing on the momentum the GOP has gained in the health care debate, RNC chair Michael Steele today called President Obama’s plans a “dangerous experiment,” the Washington Post reports. "This reckless approach is an ill-conceived attempt to push through an experiment and all of us should be scared to death," Steele said in a speech at the National Press Club. Asked whether he'd characterize the plan as "socialism," Steele responded, "Yes. Next question," the AP reports. More»

'Now we've got to get over the finish line,' President tells Congress

(NEWSER) - President Obama today praised “unprecedented progress” in Congress on health-care reform, the Boston Globe reports. In a hastily scheduled appearance meant to galvanize support amid some signs this week of Democratic dissent, Obama said he remained “absolutely convinced” a bill would be passed this year. “The last few miles of any race are the hardest to run,” he added. More»

President will push hard for the agenda he wants

(NEWSER) - President Obama got his way, more or less, on the stimulus, but the process demonstrated Congress' abiding disinterest in bipartisanship. For future big-ticket items—and there are a lot of them—the president will take a tougher approach, Mike Allen and Jonathan Martin write for Politico. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel offers a preview: “He has an open hand, but he has a very firm handshake.” More»