Obama's healthcare reform efforts are facing skeptical people nationwide
Yesterday, there were fireworks between White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and Fox News White House Correspondent Major Garrett. Garrett asked Gibbs over why there were confirmed reports of people receiving unsolicited emails from the White House over healthcare reform plans. Gibbs proceeded to dodge the question and said he needed to “check the list.” This confirms the worst fears that many people have about the new White House P.R. effort. This plan calls for average people to report “fishy” information and the email address of where it came from. With Gibbs’ comment, it shows that a list of all the email addresses exists somewhere in the White House. Gibbs proceeded to tell Garrett that if he provided the emails to him he would check, but once the reporter tried to do so, he was promptly ignored and as of now, the issue has not been resolved.
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that the Obama Administration and Fox News will get into a fight. Democrats have labeled the network as biased and steer clear of it, most of the time, whereas Fox says they are just asking the tough questions. As I have previously said, Fox News has a conservative tilt with their opinion shows, but not their overall reporting. Major Garrett is certainly not a partisan hack and is actually an exceptional reporter. The Democrats seek to portray the network as biased, when only a few opinion makers are Republican leaning, and they appear in the evening. What the White House needs to do is answer the question, stop sending emails out to people who do not want them, and stop asking people to turn in one another for “fishy” information. People have the right to free speech, even if it is “fishy” to the liberals.
Later this afternoon, President Obama is scheduled to hold another town hall meeting in Montana. This should prove to be a rowdier crowd that New Hampshire because the tickets were given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Hopefully, tough questions will be asked and answered in the exchange, showing President Obama that people have mainstream concerns and that the majority of Americans do not want healthcare reform. Look for an update later today, if the town hall proves to be a good one.
Here is the video clip of the testy exchange between Major Garrett and Robert Gibbs. You can clearly hear Gibbs mention a list, and dodge the fair question:
Comments
"The Democrats seek to portray the network as biased". But you just said that "as I have previously said, Fox News has a conservative tilt".
Oh Patrick, you certainly love to make a hooplah about nothing. "This confirms the worst fears that many people have..." Are you serious? Our worst fears? Darling, last time I checked people were not fearful of a MAILING LIST. Stop with the propaganda bull_shit.
"As I have previously said, Fox News has a conservative tilt with their opinion shows, but not their overall reporting."
A conservative TILT?! Jesus Christ don't expose them too much. Their opinion shows are TOTALLY CONSERVATIVE, not a little tilt. They have Kark Rove as a freakin analyst for S**ts sake.
I think we need protection for the uninsured. But I am very concerned that we Americans may be put on a White House list and be considered terrorists because we may not always agree with the president. This I think is a just reason to be concerned. Asking citizens to turn in other citizens sounds like Nazi Germany. I was in favor of the Health Reform, but now I afraid the cost in liberty may be too high.
This is absolutely terrifying. I am scared that 3 men in suits are going to take me away because I don't support this health care reform. The White House has no business with compiling a list of this nature. The election is over. I live in fear...But I know that Hannity will do everything he can to expose this Naziesque behavior.
The article's also wrong in that it implies that Major actually tried to give the email addresses but was promptly ignored. To the best of my recollection, Gibbs offered to check them against the WH database, and Garrett spun it as a "let me get this straight... I need to give you these emails..." moment.
Locker, your a moron, feigning fear like that. If you're truly afraid of suited men taking you away, then don't go outside! The sky might be falling too, you right-wing kook! go get Hannity to protect you. I'm sure he gives a rat's @ss about what you think.
But we must not forget, they are fair AND balanced! HA!
failblog.org/2009/08/12/geography-fail-2/
I am recently seeing a lot of people, who are originating unsolicited emails, complaining about receiving unsolicited emails from the White House.
Apparently they don't understand when they ask recipients to forward their email, some where down the forwarding chain someone will forward their email to flag@whitehouse.gov with their originating email address visible.
I voted for Obama. I support health coverage reform to great degree. However, I find this latest tactic from the WH in sending unsolicited 'corrective' emails to the 'unenlightened' to be entirely insupportable and an abuse of federal powers.
How did they gather this email list of opponents? Americans have a right to know. If you visit the WH website, are you giving them permission to use your email address?? Is this notified on the site??
Or did they raid right-wing websites 'brought to their attention'? Can't believe Liberals are sitting on their hands on this one. How would have been the reaction if Bush had done the same thing with the Iraq war?
Remember, whatever you allow an administration to do that you AGREE with, you establish that power to be exercised by one you DON'T agree with.
I say, Go Major Garrett, Go.
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