President Obama "took to the airwaves to make his case for healthcare reform Wednesday night, seeking to assure middle-class voters that his plans would not disrupt what they already have." The Hill reports.
"The televised town-hall-style event, recorded at the White House and aired exclusively by ABC News, provided Obama with an opportunity to persuade middle-class voters, most of whom are insured, that his plans would not destroy what they like about the healthcare system."
First Read: "Maybe now we understand why the RNC was so fired up about last night's town hall. President Obama, while peppered with tough questions about the issue, got an hour on national TV to make the case that he can be trusted to reform the health-care system. Remember, it's not about winning the debate on whether his way is RIGHT; it's about securing the TRUST of skeptical Americans that he'll take their concerns and go about this with care. And on that score, this is where we probably get why so many of the president's opponents were upset. This format was in the president's wheelhouse. Whether you agree with him or not, it's obvious he has a deep grasp of the issue, and no doubt he only helped his cause. Of course, we don't yet know how many folks watched."
Politico notes that for the second consecutive day, Obama "gave a forceful defense of the need
to create a government insurance plan to compete with private insurers.
He challenged Republicans who say the public option will lead to a
government takeover of health care and interfere with the
doctor-patient relationship."
The pressure for a public option grew in the House as well, with Roll Call reporting that House liberals "are warning the Senate, Democratic leaders and President Barack Obama that a government-run insurance option must be included in any health reform bill, or else the powerful bloc will vote it down."
Here's a clip from last night's town hall meeting:
