Patterico's Pontifications

2/9/2010

Obama’s Snow Day

Filed under: Health Care,Obama — DRJ @ 5:27 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Washington, D.C., and most federal offices have been closed down since Monday because of a blizzard. Is it just a coincidence President Obama chose a snow day for an unannounced press conference, his first in six months?

“It had been more than six months since President Barack Obama held a formal news conference, and, although his surprise appearance in the press briefing room of the West Wing today isn’t what would normally pass for one, the White House today declared, in the aftermath, that this indeed had been a news conference.
***
When it was over, the president declared himself satisfied: “That was pretty good.”

With only about a dozen questions fielded in the 33-minute encounter — held without any prior announcement offering reporters a chance to ink their questions on the palms of their hands — this was the first news conference since one held on July 22.”

The official transcript is here.

— DRJ

EDIT — From the White House link:

QUESTION: Thanks for doing this. It’s been a while. (Laughter.) On health care, the Republicans are asking whether the February 25th session will include economists and public interest groups and people supporting your side, or will it just be the members of Congress? And on Anthem Blue Cross, do you have the authority to go in and tell a private company they can’t charge that — how will you stop them?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don’t have the authority as I understand it — I can’t simply issue an executive order lowering everybody’s rates. If I could I would have done that already and saved myself a lot of grief on Capitol Hill. That’s why reform is so important. That’s why the status quo is unacceptable.

But there is no shortcut in dealing with this issue. I know the American people get frustrated in debating something like health care because you get a whole bunch of different claims being made by different groups and different interests. It is a big, complicated, tough issue. But what is also true is that without some action on the part of Congress, it is very unlikely that we see any improvement over the current trajectory. And the current trajectory is premiums keep on going up 10, 15, 20, 30 percent. The current trajectory is more and more people are losing health care.”

People are losing health care because they can’t afford it in this economy as Anthem Blue Cross explained. Plus, am I reading this right? It sounds like President Obama considered whether he could order insurance rates lowered. Is there no limit to what this Administration is willing to consider?

95 Responses to “Obama’s Snow Day”

  1. ‘When it was over, the president declared himself satisfied: “That was pretty good.”’

    Vanity, thy name is Obama.

    He probably thinks he came across as sincere and believable… that’s why the call it… ACTING!

    GeneralMalaise (55c598)

  2. There is a certain strain of individuals who emerge from our educational institutions who have never been taught the philosophical underpinnings of our Constitutional Republic. They leave Harvard Law without ever having heard (never mind understood) an explanation of, or a defense of, limits on government authority. They can’t think. They can only react e.g., “Oh, you disagree with me on X, Y or X? You’re a racist.” That’s not rational thought, that’s superstition and emotion. Anyone can do that, it doesn’t take an education. In fact, it’s the antithesis of education. It’s tribalism.

    Luke (05a831)

  3. it’d be nice if Ear Leader considered his own limitations, but then again, had he done that, he never would have run for President.

    call it the “Audacity of Incompetence”.

    and what a razor like mind: maybe 12 questions in 33 minutes, undoubtedly ever single answer as reasoned, insightful and informative as the one quoted. i’ll give him credit, when Barney Fife moves, he slices like the flat side of a butter knife.

    even Jimmy Carter was better than this.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  4. A Rush Limbaugh irrefutable Truth of Life:
    Politics is show-business for less-attractive people.

    ……….

    Since he is “The Leader of the Free World”, of course he can issue any proclamation, any rule, and we all have to comply.
    He Won!

    AD - RtR/OS! (ca88dc)

  5. Obama doesn’t want to take over another industry, he just wants to set its prices. Huh?

    daleyrocks (718861)

  6. Those comments by The Won should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that this whole fiasco is NOT about finding a way to lower health care costs, it is all about finding a way to nationalize health insurance much the way FDR nationalized the electricity industry.

    Or should I say how FDR “socialized” the electricity industry?

    retire05 (bab000)

  7. Solid B+!

    Fresh Air (cae38a)

  8. “It sounds like President Obama considered whether he could order insurance rates lowered.”

    Certainly sounds like he was asked it.

    imdw (e66d8d)

  9. Hey, Obama didn’t ASK to solve America’s insurance problems. That’s just the kind of guy he is.

    Eric Lindholm (1ab184)

  10. nice attempt at spin: too bad it fails. its obvious he wanted to from his words, but was told that he couldn’t.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  11. Oh, BTW, if DC’s been closed down due to snow, and the sun still rises in the east, and the birds still fly, and the fishes swim,
    tell me again why we need that army of drones in DC and environs to “run” the country?

    AD - RtR/OS! (ca88dc)

  12. to spend all that money we pay in taxes?

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  13. Is there no limit to what this Administration is willing to consider?

    The answer is “No”. This communistic, socialist regime knows no bounds.

    PatriotRider (103218)

  14. “tell me again why we need that army of drones in DC and environs to “run” the country?”

    This is almost as clever as LOL’ing at global warming due to this storm.

    imdw (688568)

  15. You have the sense of humor of a 2×4, dimwit. There are all sorts of reasons to laugh at the Church of Global Warming.

    JD (788853)

  16. Its been explained to imdw why we laugh at AGW during cold weather events. But imdw deliberately pretends to forget each time.

    That’s why imdw is a troll.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  17. Reminds me of a CEO I worked for who would change administrative policy via email decree. Nothing written down, it was just…from this day forward.

    All undergarments are to be worn outside of your trousers.

    People's Front of Judea (44bf37)

  18. You will have to excuse me while me and my John Deere go attend to yet another pile of fresh algore.

    JD (6076b7)

  19. You just don’t get it, I heard on NBC (or perhaps it was a cable affiliate), global warming causes the air to hold more moisture. With higher moisture content, winter-time storms will be stronger – dumping more snow.
    These current storms prove global warming.
    I have virtually no recollection of strong winter storms here in the Midwest in the 1970s. I erased that knowledge because it doesn’t fit with what I know will happen in the future.
    (yes, this is sarcasm)

    Corwin (ea9428)

  20. This was not the smartest move by Anthem. If anything could revive the HCR zombie, this is the sort of thing that could do it.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  21. even Jimmy Carter was better than this.

    To be fair, Carter actually knew about issues and could discuss them in depth. Obama’s response is that health care is a “big, complicated issue,” and then he pulls out his shopworn campaign slogans.

    For somebody who is supposedly much smarter than Bush, you’d think he’d be able to explain the nuances of his policy in a manner that didn’t resemble Dubya’s speeches. The reality is that he just wants something-anything-to sign so he can declare “victory,” and it shows just how shallow an administrator and statesman he is.

    He probably could have gained a lot more traction with the public if he had outlined what he clearly desired to Reid and Pelosi and said, “If the bills don’t have such and such provisions, I’m vetoing it and you can start over.”

    But the man is not a leader, he’s a crap-stirring demogogue whose shortcomings are being put front and center.

    Another Chris (2d8013)

  22. And the current trajectory is premiums keep on going up 10, 15, 20, 30 percent.

    Yes, because the government keeps mandating different coverages, like the new mental health coverage mandated by an earmark in TARP.

    Use Paul Ryan’s plan, keep the government OUT of the health care market.

    Patricia (e1047e)

  23. Comment by People’s Front of Judea — 2/10/2010 @ 6:27 am

    SPLITTER!!1!

    Judean People's Front (854a6e)

  24. Use Paul Ryan’s plan, keep the government OUT of the health care market.

    You mean like they’ve done in Medicare and Medicaid?

    Comment by imadimwit

    Dmac (799abd)

  25. Use Paul Ryan’s plan, keep the government OUT of the health care market.

    And leave 24 million Americans out to die on the streets.

    Comment by imadimwit

    I’m just trying to move the thread along by proactively posting the typical Trollish responses brom The Sooper Genius, the immortal Cupcake.

    Dmac (799abd)

  26. “from”

    Dmac (799abd)

  27. Glenn Reynolds quotes an emailer:

    “Today, Michael Mann was scheduled to give a colloquium on climate change at the University of Pennsylvania, where I am a graduate student. As you may know, Philadelphia has been hit by multiple snowstorms in the past week. Today, for what I am told is the first time since the mid-1990s, the university suspended normal operations due to snow, and his colloquium on climate change has been postponed.”

    SPQR (26be8b)

  28. ““Today, Michael Mann was scheduled to give a colloquium on climate change at the University of Pennsylvania, where I am a graduate student. As you may know, Philadelphia has been hit by multiple snowstorms in the past week. Today, for what I am told is the first time since the mid-1990s, the university suspended normal operations due to snow, and his colloquium on climate change has been postponed.””

    Isn’t it kind of wincefull to see stuff like this pushed by the AGW deniers? It’s a bit above the whole ‘you can’t tell what the wheater is like a in a week’ bit. But only so much. The amount of misunderstanding that it reflects…

    imdw (8f8ead)

  29. For the elucidation of Imadickwad…
    When events such as these blizzards strike DC, all government offices are kept open running on a skeleton staff (The Snow List),
    which is something on the order of 10% (or less) of normal manning levels.
    A point that many have raised is, if this keeps the Govt open and functioning during inclement weather, why can’t the same manning levels be used the rest of the time?
    Sort of an Inconvenient Truth type of question.

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  30. imdw, still pretending not to understand. This trolling by you got old a very long time ago.

    These comments about cold spells and AGW are inspired by the AGW adherents habit of blaming hot weather on global warming.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  31. “A point that many have raised is, if this keeps the Govt open and functioning during inclement weather, why can’t the same manning levels be used the rest of the time?”

    Because any serious attempt at looking at this would reveal that the government is not “open and functioning.” Lots of things are not being done. For example, the DC district federal court is closed today. That is not the manning level that can be used the rest of the time. But maybe you don’t think we need district courts.

    imdw (de7003)

  32. It has gotten to the point of parody when the disciples of AGW point to every event, no matter what, as proof of AGW/Climate Change.

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  33. District Courts…
    Well, considering the quality of some of the decisions emanating from those founts of knowledge, we might be better off without,
    particularly those courtrooms that are shopped by the ACLU in defending thugs at GITMO.

    Quite simply, the Federal Government is too big, interjects itself into too many areas of life, and is destroying the Liberty & Freedom of the American People.

    “When in the Course of human events…”

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  34. SPQR – don’t limit that to just hot weather. The AGW folks blamed any weather on AGW.

    JD (54f6b2)

  35. “It has gotten to the point of parody when the disciples of AGW point to every event, no matter what, as proof of AGW/Climate Change.”

    Record breaking weather could be consistent with climate change — as average temperatures rise, we could see new local climate patterns because of the global patterns that change due to the increased averages. I’m not convinced it’s proof — but it could be consistent with it.

    imdw (017d51)

  36. “Well, considering the quality of some of the decisions emanating from those founts of knowledge, we might be better off without,”

    This is why I started with “any serious attempt at looking at this.” I figured that was not what you were interested in.

    imdw (017d51)

  37. “serious”…”Imadickwad”…
    Conflicting concepts.

    [note: fished from spam filter. –Stashiu]

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  38. “serious”…”Imadickwad”….
    Bzzzzzt: Illegal Operation.

    [note: fished from spam filter. –Stashiu]

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  39. JD, in fact, the IPCC WGII report itself blamed increasing severity of hurricanes on AGW … despite the fact that there is no science behind that claim and they had to lie about the opinion of the leading expert in the field to do so. As I’ve linked here in other threads.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  40. SPQR – The dimwit came along to confirm what we had been talking about 😉

    JD (54f6b2)

  41. In honor of Reagan’s Birthday, Washington D.C. has been closed, and decorated with trillions of tiny snowflakes, one for each one of the dollars the existing administration plans on spending.

    georg felis (de894d)

  42. Powerline had this piece on yet another stupid global warming story as just a recent example.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  43. And of course, coupled with attacks on Sarah Palin, we get stupidity like this one found by Hotair.

    I confidently predict that imdw will do the exact same troll again, probably within the hour, pretending not to have read my many, repeated comments about this.

    Because a troll gotta do what a troll gotta do.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  44. Guys – some folk just don’t notice cognitive dissonance … critical thinking skills *used to be* taught in schools – but that doesn’t seem to be happening as much any more …

    I have to suspect that imdw just doesn’t know any better, that he’s literally doing his best to understand … after all, he *is* demonstrating his level of undertanding of reality over and over, in his comments …

    Alasdair (e7cb73)

  45. Yes indeed it is fantastic the critical thinking skills that are displayed by people when they read me write “could be consistent with.” Sheesh.

    imdw (c5488f)

  46. “The AGW folks blamed any weather on AGW.”

    Don’t forget that some of the brighter ones among them think that earthquakes are caused by AGW, JD.

    GeneralMalaise (235aba)

  47. Sheesh.

    Cupcake, you really don’t want to go down that particular road in this forum.

    Dmac (799abd)

  48. I confidently predict that imdw will do the exact same troll again, probably within the hour,

    SPQR for the win!

    Dmac (799abd)

  49. Thanks, Dmac, but it wasn’t really a tough one ..

    SPQR (26be8b)

  50. 47.Sheesh.

    Cupcake, you really don’t want to go down that particular road in this forum

    I agree. These people will take a position opposite you based on principle, jump to incorrect conclusions, then defend those positions with reckless fury. It is exhausting and since none of them ever leave this site they declare victory by attrition. Oh, and using terms of endearment such as ‘snookums’ and ‘cupcake’ give them a sense of victory… you know, because that is what mature people do.
    .

    Intelliology (00d844)

  51. Analysis of comment 50 complete

    Argument / Contribution to discussion: 0%

    Insults and lame grievance whining from other threads: 100%

    Noting that the AGW hysteria is flawed isn’t taking a stubborn principle, except the stubborn principle of following the facts, testing hypos, and using science and reason.

    and noting that Obama’s afraid of press conferences is simply accepting the obvious. This dude doesn’t have the chops to lead.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  52. Idiotology – Clinging to debunked “science”, spitting out worn out talking points, and repeatedly lying is mature?

    JD (3d5885)

  53. The cupcake thing is just flair. Beffudling, but flair.

    imdw (de7003)

  54. Analysis of 51 complete

    originality: 0%

    (ha! I realize how ironic this is)

    Intelliology (00d844)

  55. Comment by JD — 2/10/2010 @ 2:35 pm

    That is what I keep trying to tell you, but you continue to do these things. At least you are aware of them. That is the first step.

    Intelliology (00d844)

  56. 54 and 55 are just more of the same.

    You don’t have the balls to actually argue your case.

    0% argument 100% of the time.

    I already made my case about global warming and how Obama’s a total punk to hold a press conference today. All you have in reply is that it’s not original to note that your comments are empty hate?

    You seem to care very much about winning for someone who loses all the time.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  57. Obama is such an evil man. He wants to ruin America.

    The Emperor (de56ce)

  58. Notice how Lovey bypasses the bannage.

    John Hitchcock (b67c24)

  59. You don’t have the balls to actually argue your case.

    I think missing his gonads is the least of his problems. Missing his daily Lithium dosage appears to be a much more urgent problem right now

    Dmac (799abd)

  60. @50 Comment by Intelliology — 2/10/2010 @ 2:28 pm
    Oh, and using terms of endearment such as ’snookums’ and ‘cupcake’ give them a sense of victory… you know, because that is what mature people do.

    Hypocrite.

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  61. Oh, here comes Tampons Assnorum. He is the resident ‘liberal’ that fellow posters call upon as their shining example of their own tolerance. The funny thing is that he agrees with them about everything.

    Intelliology (00d844)

  62. Besides getting pwned on substance on the issue, that Intelliology had to go and hijack another thread to discuss AGW and get pwned there too was pretty hilarious.

    Not to mention getting caught brazenly fabricating on the 8/01 PDB.

    But here, calling Leviticus a sockpuppet of Patterico, I think that should be the straw so to speak.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  63. Hey Pons, your name shares a syllable with TAMPONS!!!! lol!!!!

    I bet you typed this on your… iPad!!! LOL!!!!!!!

    you aren’t as intelligent as someone who actually uses the syllables “intell” in their name!!!!

    This reminds me of Gibbs’s approach to Palin. She actually wrote something down on her hand… policy issues people care about. In reply, they make fun of the format and ignore the issues she wrote down.

    She should have just written down “jobs jobs jobs”. That’s the real reason Obama is hiding from the press.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  64. Over 4 feet of snow is keeping his script-writers home, where the power is out, so they can’t write his scripts for him.

    John Hitchcock (b67c24)

  65. I think I have the answer that the AGW proponents have been looking for…

    They just need to point out that they were for another ice age before they were for AGW. It just happens that they were correct they first time…

    Yeah, that’s it.

    I’m wondering if I would be able to go to a lecture by Mann and see clearly through the smoke and mirrors, or whether my brain would be victim to a blitz of gibberish that would render me half-awake and numb.

    MD in Philly (d4668b)

  66. Just take his now – ridiculed hockey stick graph and hold it upside down in front of his lectern.

    Dmac (799abd)

  67. Idiotology can’t even keep track of the names of the people it is trying to smear. Leviticus and Pons have more integrity in their eyelashes than you could ever dream of having.

    Lovie – Did you apologize to Stashiu yet?

    JD (3f2ecc)

  68. It’s so cold in Washington, DC, that the Democrats have their hands in their own pockets.

    Official Internet Data Office (dc2fe1)

  69. Dang, OIDO, that’s just mean!

    John Hitchcock (b67c24)

  70. “Obama is such an evil man. He wants to ruin America.”

    Comment by The Emperor — 2/10/2010

    I guess the left is turning against Big Zero.

    GeneralMalaise (235aba)

  71. @63 Dustin — Yeah, she has thing for tampons, cracks me up too. I especially like how she calls people immature for name-calling 😉

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  72. “lol!”

    Indeed.

    imdw (017d51)

  73. @50 Comment by Intelliology — 2/10/2010 @ 2:28 pm
    These people will take a position opposite you based on principle,…

    False; as you were given numerous links and citations which either supported the scientific positions of those with whom you disagreed , or highlighted the deceit of the IIPC.

    …jump to incorrect conclusions,…

    You are the one who wrongly jumps to incorrect conclusions, as demonstrated by your own words here: “I am still waiting to be amazed at your side’s “CO2 is not a greenhouse gas” claim.”

    Since you falsely attributed your quote, which was said by no one, your assertion of a claim was false.

    …then defend those positions with reckless fury.

    They were defended with links to citations of scientists who have evidence contradictory to the falsified model presented by the IIPC.

    It is exhausting and since none of them ever leave this site they declare victory by attrition.

    Bloggers who come to a blog site — oh the horror. Feel free to leave.

    It is not even about victory or the fact that you still believe in the discredited theory of AGW as presented by the IIPC. It is about discussing ideas and exchanging thoughts with rational people who are willing to support their claims with credible sources. You have chosen to preach the conclusions reached by the IIPC which has falsified data and practiced scientific deceit. Then, when challenged, you began alternating between insults and whining.

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  74. Don’t forget, Pons, that we took on Intelliology’s own claims directly. Intelliology chose the specifics to claim, and still got pwned.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  75. MD in Philly #65 – should you not have typed it as

    victim to a blitz of Gibbserish that would render me half-awake and numb.

    ?

    Alasdair (e7cb73)

  76. @61 Comment by Intelliology — 2/10/2010 @ 3:11 pm
    Oh, here comes Tampons Assnorum. He is the resident ‘liberal’ that fellow posters call upon as their shining example of their own tolerance. The funny thing is that he agrees with them about everything.

    This is an excellent example of you jumping to conclusions. You made an error in assuming I was a leftist, blamed it on someone else, and then after being notified of your mistake (by me), still insist on using your error as a justification for more juvenile remarks.

    Notice how you have completely abandoned any attempt to discuss rationally or in good faith. I would now start to call you names, but have misplaced my Junior High School book of insults.

    Please feel free to continue your juvenile rants. Enjoy!

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  77. @74 SPQR — yeah, that’s best part 😉

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  78. Thanks JD — and ditto for you.

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  79. No, actually pons, somebody else once listed you as a person with whom this conservative site often disagrees but they treat you with ‘respect’. Obviously whoever that was was wrong.

    Intelliology (00d844)

  80. No, actually pons, somebody else once listed you as a person with whom this conservative site often disagrees but they treat you with ‘respect’. Obviously whoever that was was wrong.
    Comment by Intelliology — 2/10/2010 @ 4:53 pm

    Hmm… I don’t recall that ever being said about Pons. Maybe you could point out that comment? Thanks.

    Stashiu3 (44da70)

  81. #75 “blitz of Gibbserish”
    Comment by Alasdair — 2/10/2010

    Indeed. I wonder if we use it often enough it could get into Webster’s as an alternative spelling.

    MD in Philly (d4668b)

  82. I’d be curious too. My guess is that my handle was simply confused with someone else’s’ Latin moniker.

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  83. My guess is that Idiotology is an idiot and just pull that out of its arse.

    JD (ddbd2f)

  84. Or my secret identity is out – I am Al Gore!

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  85. Comment by Official Internet Data Office — 2/10/2010 @ 3:41 pm

    With the Billion$ that they’re appropriating, you’ld think they could afford to buy some gloves?

    Seriously, hasn’t anyone ever told this crowd that you don’t walk around in suit-coats with your hands stuffed into your trouser pockets?
    If it’s that cold, wear a top-coat and gloves.
    Hats are always good too, since a large percentage of body-heat loss is through the scalp.

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  86. #84 – if you were Al Gore, the troll snowjobs would have been much denser than usual …

    Hmmmm … perhaps you *are* Al Gore !

    (grin)

    #85 – Given that fat is a good insulator, comparatively, and given the amount of fat between the ears of those in charge of both Houses of Congress and the White House, I doubt if much heat is lost through their scalps … most is lost, I suspect, out of either or both ends of their digestive tracts …

    Alasdair (92abb9)

  87. Good Point!

    AD - RtR/OS! (1ab06c)

  88. Probably, Intelliology is refering to Leviticus, whom Intelliology decided was a sockpuppet for Patterico.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  89. Okay. If you can watch that video and not laugh, something is seriously seriously seriously wrong with you.

    JD (1500d2)

  90. Luv’ed the Al Gore references!

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  91. I am still chuckling. Quite funny.

    JD (1500d2)

  92. I’ve already forwarded the link to my family and friends. Thanks JD.

    Pons Asinorum (f6829b)

  93. Let it never be said that I contribute nothing.

    JD (1500d2)

  94. While Roger Pielke is a believer in the AGW hypothesis, I’ve always respected his integrity about the science, misrepresentations thereof and his criticisms of the IPCC’s corrupt process. He writes:

    What happens in the weather this week or next tells us absolutely nothing about the role of humans in influencing the climate system. It is unjustifiable to claim that a cold snap or heavy snow disproves or even casts doubts predictions of long-term climate change. It is equally unjustifiable to say that a cold snap or heavy snow in any way offers empirical support for predictions of long-term climate change. This goes for all weather events.

    Further, it is professionally irresponsible for scientists to claim that some observed weather is “consistent with” long-term predictions of climate change. Any and all weather fits this criteria. Similarly, any and all weather is also “consistent with” failing predictions of long-term climate change. The “consistent with” canard is purposely misleading.

    SPQR (8475fc)


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