Obama 2009 vs. Obama 2003 on Supporting Single-Payer
Barack Obama, August 11, 2009:
I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter because frankly, we historically have had a employer-based system in this country, with private insurers, and for us to tran — transition to a system like that, I believe would be too disruptive.
Barack Obama, 2003:
I happen to be a proponent of single payer universal health care plan. . . . A single payer health care plan, universal health care plan. That’s what I’d like to see.
(H/t Ed Morrissey.)
Watch the dissembling with your own eyes. The first quote is 49 seconds into this clip:
And the second quote — you know, that thing that Obama never said — is 4 seconds into this clip:
The second half is 36 seconds in.
For added amusement, cue them up to play at the same time. I did. The effect of listening to him deny ever having said it in clip 1, at the very same time as he says it in clip 2, is very nice.
I encourage some video editor to make a video that splices the two parts in bold above and just put it on a loop. “I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter. I happen to be a proponent of single payer universal health care plan. I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter. I happen to be a proponent of single payer universal health care plan.” And so forth. You make it and I’ll link it.
[UPDATE: No sooner requested than done:]
Go ahead and reconcile that, Obama defenders. I already know what you’re going to say, and your defense rests on the idea that your famously articulate president didn’t mean what he said.
P.S. Shockingly, the L.A. Times coverage of Obama’s town hall appearance does not disclose this whopper.
Nice of you to drop in Boss!
AD - RtR/OS! (6269f6) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:02 amThat’s a really great catch.
I’m just waiting for the ’90s flashback:
“Everyone lies about health care”
JayC (935b29) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:14 amI stumbled across a CBS News report this past weekend in which the “reporter” provided an “analysis” in which he praised Obama for having the “courage” to let his positions on health care “evolve”.
Bubba Maximus (456175) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:18 amI’d like to share with you a couple of quotes by dictators from the Far Left.
First, “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it” Source One.
And here’s one by Source Two: “A lie told often enough becomes the truth.”
Here we have irrefutable evidence of Obama engaging in the “Big Lie.” The proof could not be more clear. Furthermore, the MSM minions of “The One” have their marching orders: Opponants of Health Care Reform are: 1) an angry mob; 2) tools of the evil insurance companies; 3) not mainstream – outsiders; 4) nazi’s; 5) wacko “birthers”; 6) wacko “teabaggers; 7) Shouting and screaming and stifling free, open and honest debate over the issue; 8) Un-American…… Keep repeating it, keep repeating it, keep it simple, say it enough and it becomes the truth……
Now for the sources: Most of you probably had Source One = Adolph Hitler, and Source Two = V. I. Lenin.
J. Raymond Wright (d83ab3) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:20 amHow positively racist of all of you.
JD (ddbd2f) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:43 amThe problem with telling a lie is that the liar often forgets which lie has been told. People who tell the truth don’t have this problem.
tyree (359fa9) — 8/12/2009 @ 10:50 amI sent a copy of the second You tube video to flag@whitehouse.gov. I hope they choke on it.
Zelsdorf Ragshaft III (b7c3b9) — 8/12/2009 @ 11:05 amIt’s not my catch. I saw it at Hot Air but forgot the hat tip. Let me try to get to a computer to add it.
Patterico (805ac4) — 8/12/2009 @ 11:06 amThis is shocking! Absolutely shocking!!
I’ve had no reason to doubt the veracity, integrity and judgement of the guy in the Oval Office. I mean I truly believed him when he said he never had been aware of the fanaticism and extremism of his mentor and spiritual advisor Jermiah Wright.
It’s so very difficult questioning the honesty of the wonderful, wise person now in the White House. Uh-huh.
Mark (411533) — 8/12/2009 @ 11:10 amBeing a (D), I followed the single payer fracas in the (D) primary fairly closely. Obama’s position was that single payer is the better system, and if he could start from scratch he’d opt for that. However, we’re not starting from scratch; we have this already-existing system & infrastructure, and the policy question is what’s the best policy given the existing system.
So, that clears that up.
jpe (08c1dd) — 8/12/2009 @ 11:52 amComment by Patterico — 8/12/2009 @ 11:06 am
That’s funny!
AD - RtR/OS! (6269f6) — 8/12/2009 @ 11:57 amMy first thought when I read your request for someone to splice together the two vids was:
Someone at Hot Air will probably come up with an edited video.
Clip 1 is the American Obama. Clip 2 is the Canadian Obama.
Official Internet Data Office (7fd5ee) — 8/12/2009 @ 12:09 pmBut not enough courage to admit that his positions did evolve.
Michael Ejercito (833607) — 8/12/2009 @ 12:43 pmActually, I’m so used to Obama lying that it’s what I expect.
It’s only shocking to me when he slips up and actually tells the truth.
Apogee (e2dc9b) — 8/12/2009 @ 12:46 pmI just watched an NBC report say that is is a myth and a lie that Barcky supports single-payer. Odd.
JD (cc3aa7) — 8/12/2009 @ 2:34 pmApogee – There is no truth, only what Barcky wants you to believe at any given point in time.
JD (f303d4) — 8/12/2009 @ 2:37 pmQuoting Obama’s previous statements, if they do not match his current spin, is racist.
Showing video of Obama contradicting Obama is completely un-American.
malclave (4f3ec1) — 8/12/2009 @ 3:03 pmDo you really want consistency in the President?
Thomas Jackson (8ffd46) — 8/12/2009 @ 4:07 pmDo you really want honesty?
Do you really desire a man who says what he means?
Then why did you vote for Obama?
JD – I know Obama is telling the truth when he mistakenly communicates information that he doesn’t want me to believe. Usually, it has nothing to do with what he’s saying.
Apogee (e2dc9b) — 8/12/2009 @ 4:42 pmI’ve not been very politically active most of my life (I’m 58). I vote most years, not all (I used to live in NY, and felt my vote was often useless against the liberal majority). Never been to a political rally or even a baked goods sale.
Mr President, Mrs Speaker, and the rest of you socialist and self-serving rascals in both parties–you are in for a fight over freedom here in America. No more lies, no more misrepresentations, no more spin to make evil good and good, evil. I’m voting everybody out, every time there is a vote, who ever voted once for a socialist policy or to deny me freedoms or to deny life to a child in the sanctity of a mother’s womb. You’re gonna be visible and accountable. We have access to information, now. The internet, radio, they are killing your cover with facts, wit the truth, your spin is becoming useless and empty. And I’m going to get busy and vocal supporting true conservatives and standing up against socialism, against liberalism, against moderates, against Democrats disguised as Republicans. There are lots of folks like me. We’ll be on the internet, at your offices, in the streets with signs, and we’ll be voting, voting, voting, holding every official accountable, joining up with other citizens groups, efforts, and parties.
I’m going to get busy from the top down to the smallest levels, every elected official in every office. I’m going to work to get some fresh blood going in and work even harder to get the rest tossed out.
Why isn’t tort reform on the table? They know it matters. (They have removed any appeal to the judiciary in their plan when decisions are made about our health by their bureaucrats).
Why can’t we have interstate health insurance competition? Gosh, surely we all remember how free market capitalism works, don’t we?
Why not give us personal control over our children’s education and health, over our health insurance and over our retirement funds?
How dare you think you can cast your net of laws to enslave a free people and get only our deferential silence. I’m not just angry, I’m outraged. And, no, we won’t shut up and be polite about it.
Just how stupid do you think we are–if your Health Care Scheme isn’t good enough for you, what sort of contempt for us makes you imagine we will line up for it?
You went too far.
Art Mealer (720e84) — 8/12/2009 @ 4:57 pmYeah Art, I think you have it all figured out and pinned down pretty well. Couldn’t agree more.
MikeD (c83900) — 8/12/2009 @ 6:17 pm[…] https://patterico.com/2009/08/12/obama-2009-vs-obama-2003-on-supporting-single-payer/ […]
D. Jason Fleming (djasonfleming) 's status on Thursday, 13-Aug-09 16:19:37 UTC - Identi.ca (50e708) — 8/13/2009 @ 9:19 am[…] Or are the President. […]
Netsol Blogs » Blog Archive » It’s OK to Lie … (e174ed) — 8/13/2009 @ 2:12 pm[…] When Obama held a town hall meeting on health care, he declared: “I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter.” This was an easily provable lie, and editors failed to tell readers about it. […]
Patterico's Pontifications » Patterico’s Los Angeles Dog Trainer Year in Review 2009 (e4ab32) — 1/1/2010 @ 12:06 pm[…] When Obama held a town hall meeting on health care, he declared: “I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter.” This was an easily provable lie, and editors failed to tell readers about it. […]
2009: A bad year for newspapers, especially The Los Angeles Times | The American Culture (e80cef) — 1/1/2010 @ 9:33 pm