Flashback to 2003 and 2004: Real Dialogues with Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama, unlike the Barack Obama Press Conferences
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Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Well, the reason you—what is the largest single factor to the healthcare inflation? The uninsured. They drive the cost—
Jeff Berkowitz: What about the fact that a great many people don’t pay for [their healthcare]. That is, a third party pays. Don’t you think that’s a factor in the escalating cost? Don’t you think we have to restructure it so that people who receive benefits pay? At least a portion, so that it’s not [all] paid by third parties?
*****************************************
State Senator Barack Obama: Look Jeff. I have been consistent in saying what I am in favor of is universal healthcare. Right? And, I think we have to move in a direction of universal healthcare because if we don’t, the question I have for people who argue against me is—Who is it that you think shouldn’t be covered? Who is it that you think doesn’t- shouldn’t-
Jeff Berkowitz: Oh, I don’t think anybody [thinks] that.
State Senator Barack Obama: Well, that’s my point.
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and the Republicans—I’ll be fair and balanced here--
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Jeff Berkowitz: [The Republicans] want to see people provided funds. Give them vouchers to spend on healthcare. But, let the market—let them choose. You’re more willing to allow government to do more things.
State Senator Barack Obama: Je--Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I’m not saying it pejoratively.
State Senator Barack Obama: No. No. Show me the plan. They’ve been in power now for…
********************************************
Kabuki Theater in the White House East Room
Last night, President Obama held his fifth press conference and fourth national prime time press conference since he became President. These are not real press conference in which the press either raise their hands and are called on—or reporters compete with each other to ask a question before a competitor gets her question asked.
Nope, this is Kabuki Theater, Barack Obama style. These press conferences ought to all be held at Orchestra Hall because they are all so orchestrated. Team Obama tells the “chosen,” that they will be called upon and apparently, some, like those working for the Huffington Post, reciprocate by coordinating their questions, beforehand, with the White House.
President Obama—as Professor
Usually, the President answers about 13 questions in 55 minutes. Last night, his answers were so verbose and professorial—the 55-minute event consisted of only ten questions. In response to a question from ABC-s Jake Tapper on the kind of sacrifices the American people might have to make as a part of the Democrats' proposed healthcare plan, President Obama took a detour to lecture the press corps on how well his economic stimulus plan is doing. The answer was so long and rambling as to appear to be a SNL parody of Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric.
The White House Press corps—marching on the Left
If one is practicing basic journalism, you generally should try to ask your questions from the opposite side of the President's location on the political spectrum. Since President Obama is generally on the left on most issues, a good, challenging question should come from the right, irrespective of the journalist's personal point of view.
However, most of the White House media seem to operate naturally on the left [As the President said recently to the White House correspondents, “Most of you voted for me.”]. With few exceptions, e.g., ABC’s Jake Tapper and L.A. Times’ Christi Parsons (previously of the Chicago Tribune), the White House correspondents simply can’t ask questions from the right. They just don't have that kind of intellectual versatility and breadth.
60% of the White House Press Corps questions came from the Left and 20% from the Right
Last night, of the ten questions, six came from the left, two from the right [Tapper and Parsons] and two were neutral. [Ed. Note: I am not suggesting Tapper and Parsons are personally inclined to the right—simply that they have the capability to ask questions from the right if the speaker is on the left].
But, the problem with last night’s Kabuki theater is that the President and the press were so inept that viewers had no better idea what the healthcare plan of Congress and the President is after the show than they did before the evening began. And, this is surprising. Because, the President is a very smart, well spoken guy. You may agree or disagree with him, but when he speaks, people do and should listen.
Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama discuss healthcare in 2003-04
If you want to get a sense of a time when President Obama and his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, were quite a bit less guarded and more thoughtful in their answers, take a listen to what they said more than five years ago.
Is it really the case, as suggested below, that forty-seven million uninsured people drive the costs for two hundred fifty million insured people? Is it the case, as suggested below, that much of healthcare is paid for by individuals and entities that don’t receive the healthcare? Was it really true in 2004 that the free market was entirely involved in health care? Has the government become more or less involved in U. S. healthcare during the last three decades and has the government made healthcare better or worse. We discuss, you decide.
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Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago, 5th CD): …So, you bring some rationalizations and efficiencies to the system, but most importantly, you give people who work—healthcare.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, is there a problem with healthcare that goes beyond the points you raised and the solutions you raised-
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Sure—
Jeff Berkowitz: In terms of the escalating costs of healthcare.
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Well, the reason you—what is the largest single factor to the healthcare inflation? The uninsured. They drive the cost—
Jeff Berkowitz: What about the fact that a great many people don’t pay for [their healthcare]. That is, a third party pays. Don’t you think that’s a factor in the escalating cost? Don’t you think we have to restructure it so that people who receive benefits pay? At least a portion, so that it’s not [all] paid by third parties?
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Jeff. Jeff. But, a lot of people are paying for a portion of their healthcare. One of the reasons—
Jeff Berkowitz: A relatively small portion.
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: The largest fact for strikes today isn’t in fact salaries. It’s for healthcare. Because, more and more people are paying a greater portion of their healthcare.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, we can discuss that …
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Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, January 23, 2003
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State Senator Barack Obama (D-Chicago):…I mean essentially—
Jeff Berkowitz: But, that’s not a single payer. So, you’re backing off from single payer.
State Senator Barack Obama: I have never--
Jeff Berkowitz: You said what you said. It’s right there. There’s the tape.
State Senator Barack Obama: Look Jeff. I have been consistent in saying what I am in favor of is universal healthcare. Right? And, I think we have to move in a direction of universal healthcare because if we don’t, the question I have for people who argue against me is—Who is it that you think shouldn’t be covered? Who is it that you think doesn’t- shouldn’t-
Jeff Berkowitz: Oh, I don’t think anybody [thinks] that.
State Senator Barack Obama: Well, that’s my point.
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and the Republicans—I’ll be fair and balanced here--
State Senator Barack Obama: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Is—I think they want universal coverage, too.
State Senator Barack Obama: How?
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and them—whoever your Republican opponent is [in the U. S. Senate race. Ed. Note: This show was taped after Jack Ryan had announced he would withdraw as the Republican Party’s U. S. Senate nominee in 2004, but before the Republican State Central Committee in Illinois chose Alan Keyes to replace Ryan as the Republican Party’s nominee]--
State Senator Barack Obama: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: I would guess is that they want to see the market more involved. They want to see—
State Senator Barack Obama: The market’s entirely involved.
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people have choice.
State Senator Barack Obama: The market’s thoroughly—
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people have choice.
State Senator Barack Obama: Jeff. Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people provided funds. Give them vouchers to spend on healthcare. But, let the market—let them choose. You’re more willing to allow government to do more things.
State Senator Barack Obama: Je--Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I mean, that’s an honest difference, I’m saying, right?
State Senator Barack Obama: No, Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I’m not saying it pejoratively.
State Senator Barack Obama: No. No. Show me the plan. They’ve been in power now for…
**************************************************
Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, July 18, 2004
************************************
From the forthcoming “Best of Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz.”
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**********************************************************
A sampling of shows and clips from those posted during the last seven months on the Public Affairs YouTube page include a show with Cook County Board President Todd Stroger (D-Chicago), a show with Chicago Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, a candidate for Cook County Board President in the 2010 Democratic Primary, a show with economist Art Laffer [inventor of the Laffer Curve] and FNC's Steve Moore about their book, "The end of Prosperity," and the Obama Administration's economic policies; the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
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.
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Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Well, the reason you—what is the largest single factor to the healthcare inflation? The uninsured. They drive the cost—
Jeff Berkowitz: What about the fact that a great many people don’t pay for [their healthcare]. That is, a third party pays. Don’t you think that’s a factor in the escalating cost? Don’t you think we have to restructure it so that people who receive benefits pay? At least a portion, so that it’s not [all] paid by third parties?
*****************************************
State Senator Barack Obama: Look Jeff. I have been consistent in saying what I am in favor of is universal healthcare. Right? And, I think we have to move in a direction of universal healthcare because if we don’t, the question I have for people who argue against me is—Who is it that you think shouldn’t be covered? Who is it that you think doesn’t- shouldn’t-
Jeff Berkowitz: Oh, I don’t think anybody [thinks] that.
State Senator Barack Obama: Well, that’s my point.
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and the Republicans—I’ll be fair and balanced here--
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: [The Republicans] want to see people provided funds. Give them vouchers to spend on healthcare. But, let the market—let them choose. You’re more willing to allow government to do more things.
State Senator Barack Obama: Je--Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I’m not saying it pejoratively.
State Senator Barack Obama: No. No. Show me the plan. They’ve been in power now for…
********************************************
Kabuki Theater in the White House East Room
Last night, President Obama held his fifth press conference and fourth national prime time press conference since he became President. These are not real press conference in which the press either raise their hands and are called on—or reporters compete with each other to ask a question before a competitor gets her question asked.
Nope, this is Kabuki Theater, Barack Obama style. These press conferences ought to all be held at Orchestra Hall because they are all so orchestrated. Team Obama tells the “chosen,” that they will be called upon and apparently, some, like those working for the Huffington Post, reciprocate by coordinating their questions, beforehand, with the White House.
President Obama—as Professor
Usually, the President answers about 13 questions in 55 minutes. Last night, his answers were so verbose and professorial—the 55-minute event consisted of only ten questions. In response to a question from ABC-s Jake Tapper on the kind of sacrifices the American people might have to make as a part of the Democrats' proposed healthcare plan, President Obama took a detour to lecture the press corps on how well his economic stimulus plan is doing. The answer was so long and rambling as to appear to be a SNL parody of Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric.
The White House Press corps—marching on the Left
If one is practicing basic journalism, you generally should try to ask your questions from the opposite side of the President's location on the political spectrum. Since President Obama is generally on the left on most issues, a good, challenging question should come from the right, irrespective of the journalist's personal point of view.
However, most of the White House media seem to operate naturally on the left [As the President said recently to the White House correspondents, “Most of you voted for me.”]. With few exceptions, e.g., ABC’s Jake Tapper and L.A. Times’ Christi Parsons (previously of the Chicago Tribune), the White House correspondents simply can’t ask questions from the right. They just don't have that kind of intellectual versatility and breadth.
60% of the White House Press Corps questions came from the Left and 20% from the Right
Last night, of the ten questions, six came from the left, two from the right [Tapper and Parsons] and two were neutral. [Ed. Note: I am not suggesting Tapper and Parsons are personally inclined to the right—simply that they have the capability to ask questions from the right if the speaker is on the left].
But, the problem with last night’s Kabuki theater is that the President and the press were so inept that viewers had no better idea what the healthcare plan of Congress and the President is after the show than they did before the evening began. And, this is surprising. Because, the President is a very smart, well spoken guy. You may agree or disagree with him, but when he speaks, people do and should listen.
Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama discuss healthcare in 2003-04
If you want to get a sense of a time when President Obama and his Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, were quite a bit less guarded and more thoughtful in their answers, take a listen to what they said more than five years ago.
Is it really the case, as suggested below, that forty-seven million uninsured people drive the costs for two hundred fifty million insured people? Is it the case, as suggested below, that much of healthcare is paid for by individuals and entities that don’t receive the healthcare? Was it really true in 2004 that the free market was entirely involved in health care? Has the government become more or less involved in U. S. healthcare during the last three decades and has the government made healthcare better or worse. We discuss, you decide.
*****************************************
Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago, 5th CD): …So, you bring some rationalizations and efficiencies to the system, but most importantly, you give people who work—healthcare.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, is there a problem with healthcare that goes beyond the points you raised and the solutions you raised-
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Sure—
Jeff Berkowitz: In terms of the escalating costs of healthcare.
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Well, the reason you—what is the largest single factor to the healthcare inflation? The uninsured. They drive the cost—
Jeff Berkowitz: What about the fact that a great many people don’t pay for [their healthcare]. That is, a third party pays. Don’t you think that’s a factor in the escalating cost? Don’t you think we have to restructure it so that people who receive benefits pay? At least a portion, so that it’s not [all] paid by third parties?
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: Jeff. Jeff. But, a lot of people are paying for a portion of their healthcare. One of the reasons—
Jeff Berkowitz: A relatively small portion.
Cong. Rahm Emanuel: The largest fact for strikes today isn’t in fact salaries. It’s for healthcare. Because, more and more people are paying a greater portion of their healthcare.
Jeff Berkowitz: Well, we can discuss that …
**********************************************
Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, January 23, 2003
***************************************
State Senator Barack Obama (D-Chicago):…I mean essentially—
Jeff Berkowitz: But, that’s not a single payer. So, you’re backing off from single payer.
State Senator Barack Obama: I have never--
Jeff Berkowitz: You said what you said. It’s right there. There’s the tape.
State Senator Barack Obama: Look Jeff. I have been consistent in saying what I am in favor of is universal healthcare. Right? And, I think we have to move in a direction of universal healthcare because if we don’t, the question I have for people who argue against me is—Who is it that you think shouldn’t be covered? Who is it that you think doesn’t- shouldn’t-
Jeff Berkowitz: Oh, I don’t think anybody [thinks] that.
State Senator Barack Obama: Well, that’s my point.
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and the Republicans—I’ll be fair and balanced here--
State Senator Barack Obama: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Is—I think they want universal coverage, too.
State Senator Barack Obama: How?
Jeff Berkowitz: The difference between you and them—whoever your Republican opponent is [in the U. S. Senate race. Ed. Note: This show was taped after Jack Ryan had announced he would withdraw as the Republican Party’s U. S. Senate nominee in 2004, but before the Republican State Central Committee in Illinois chose Alan Keyes to replace Ryan as the Republican Party’s nominee]--
State Senator Barack Obama: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: I would guess is that they want to see the market more involved. They want to see—
State Senator Barack Obama: The market’s entirely involved.
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people have choice.
State Senator Barack Obama: The market’s thoroughly—
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people have choice.
State Senator Barack Obama: Jeff. Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: They want to see people provided funds. Give them vouchers to spend on healthcare. But, let the market—let them choose. You’re more willing to allow government to do more things.
State Senator Barack Obama: Je--Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I mean, that’s an honest difference, I’m saying, right?
State Senator Barack Obama: No, Jeff.
Jeff Berkowitz: I’m not saying it pejoratively.
State Senator Barack Obama: No. No. Show me the plan. They’ve been in power now for…
**************************************************
Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, July 18, 2004
************************************
From the forthcoming “Best of Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz.”
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**********************************************************
A sampling of shows and clips from those posted during the last seven months on the Public Affairs YouTube page include a show with Cook County Board President Todd Stroger (D-Chicago), a show with Chicago Ald. Toni Preckwinkle, a candidate for Cook County Board President in the 2010 Democratic Primary, a show with economist Art Laffer [inventor of the Laffer Curve] and FNC's Steve Moore about their book, "The end of Prosperity," and the Obama Administration's economic policies; the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
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