Obama Talks About His Mother's Cancer In New Ad
Barack Obama shows a very personal side in his latest ad, entitled "Mother," running in Iowa:
"My mother died of cancer at 53. In those last painful months, she was more worried about paying her medical bills than getting well," he says. "I hear stories like hers everyday. For 20 years, Washington's talked about healthcare reform, and reformed nothing ... Unless we stop the bickering and the lobbyists, we'll be in the same place 20 years from now."
Comments (11)
demwinger wrote on September 21, 2007 10:54 AM:I'm starting to really get turned off by Obama. the guy smokes for crying out loud!! smoking is the #1 cause of cancer and i'm sorry but i find it difficult to vote for a smoker.
Steve Garrett wrote on September 21, 2007 11:04 AM:America has always had a market driven health care system. Unfortunately the health care market has determined that it makes more money if it raises prices. Unlike other markets demand doesn't go down when prices go up so there is no real pressure on prices. The result is 20% of America and growing can't afford health insurance and it is very unlikely that the market will resolve this. So as a nation we have to decide to either continue to treat the health care industry as a commodity item or do we decide that the health of our nation is a common good and begin to treat the industry like we treat other common good industries, like utilities, with broad regulation and subsidies or people of low income.
I believe that the best decision would be to simply delete the line "65 and over" from the Medicare bill. But I realize that would be politically impossible. Instead Americans will have to pay about 40% more for their health costs due to private insurance companies making their profits and drug companies not having to deal with the price pressures that would come with having to negotiate market prices with the government.
It will also mean that foreign countries will continue to have a market advantage over US companies because they don't have to pay for health insurance for their employees but oh well.
miggsathon wrote on September 21, 2007 11:07 AM:demwinger: (a) he quit smoking, (b) this cult of personality stuff is exactly what's wrong with the american electorate. everyone has personal problems and areas of individual hypocrisy -- everyone. the question is which person has the best approach to dealing with public problems. if even the hyper-educated people on a liberal website can't understand that, this democracy is in trouble.
Michael Caine wrote on September 21, 2007 11:10 AM:I'm starting to get turned off by Hillary. the woman wears makeup for crying out loud!! Makeup is the #1 way of hiding blemishes and imperfections and I'm sorry but I find it difficult to vote for someone that wears makeup.
Sounds just as stupid as demwinger's comment.
vlb wrote on September 21, 2007 11:24 AM:My mother died at 53 also so I sympathize with Obama. Unfortunately, his understanding of the problem on an individual basis from experience doesn't seemed to have translated into committing to a policy that will relieve people like his mother from those worries. Like the rest, his health care proposal will never go beyond the campaign white paper stage and even if it did so what? His words don't seem to portend anything other than more of the same from Dems in Congress. His rhetoric indicates he opposes business as usual but I just don't think it means any significant change. He's a good guy, but I am not convinced it's more than what we hear from all of them when they run for office.
Nick wrote on September 21, 2007 12:07 PM:I have two: the guy has a great voice. More on point, reading some other comments above, I'm convinced that if Lincoln came back with FDR on his ticket, people would say, 'yeah, yeah, another pol ... I've heard it all before ... why do all the candidates suck? ... emancipate this, Stretch.' Geezus H. Christ. Hasn't anyone noticed who the President is right now? ANY DEMOCRAT is vastly preferable, even if he/she can't walk on water.
colonpowwow wrote on September 21, 2007 12:26 PM:Michael Caine, I'm sorry to hear that you are unable to support anyone in the election this year over the makeup thing. I did a thorough investigation of the matter to try and dig up something on your most-preferred candidate and I hit paydirt.
ALL of the candidates wear makeup anytime they make any public appearances where they may be televised.
Again, sorry to raise this issue and force you to have to sit this one out.
Snark aside, there are reasons rooted in a candidate's personal behavior that could and should influence one's loyalty and support. I agree that smoking and makeup wearing should carry equal light-weight on such a list.
Keith wrote on September 21, 2007 1:16 PM:At the end of the day, all elections, are the same-a popularity contest. Which candidate either best reflects who you BELIEVE you are or who you WANT TO BE.
commentsystemsucks wrote on September 21, 2007 2:41 PM:I figure that healthcare policy will be made by the congress-not the pres.
Am I way out there on this?
kjoe wrote on September 21, 2007 3:56 PM:commentsystemsucks wrote on September 21, 2007 2:41 PM:
I figure that healthcare policy will be made by the congress-not the pres.
Am I way out there on this?
Actually, I think it is made by the American public----even if that means obfuscation and confusion carry the day.
There have been inspirational leaders in congress---maybe lbj was better there than he was in the white house---but there has been effective and successful leadership from the white house from time to time.
The people need to be convinced.
In 2009---I think the best chance could come from an inspirational and articulate president. I think the best chance of that happening is with a democrat, and among the democrats---Obama is the one I would prefer---but i do not rule out others.
Just curious - the ad implies that Barack's mother did not have health insurance. Is this accurate or are we making assumptions here?
