Obama health care speech: September 9, 2009

Barack Obama will be giving a healthcare speech on September 9, 2009 and either we'll be covering it live, or you will by leaving comments. If you'll be watching the speech, please leave a comment pointing out the things he's lied or misled about or the things he doesn't mention. A transcript of the speech will be posted here as soon as it's available.

UPDATE: You can watch this online at whitehouse.gov/live
I'm going to leave watching it up to you, please leave a comment.

UPDATE 2: I know Obama isn't telling the whole truth, but I'm not an expert on these matters so I don't know exactly how he's misleading. I'm going to do the unthinkable and note that Althouse has an open thread here. The full prepared remarks are here.

Note that he's playing the McCain card, with the guy who might have taken a fall beaming over being shouted out:

This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it's a good idea now, and we should embrace it.

Note also that Obama is - at least in this speech - not misleading about the numbers of those who are uninsured:

if you're one of the tens of millions of Americans who don't currently have health insurance

In the past, Obama has falsely claimed that 47 million "Americans" were uninsured, when in fact millions of that number are citizens of other countries.

UPDATE 3: What is this, Parliament? When Obama falsely stated that illegal aliens wouldn't be able to get coverage, at least a few people shouted something indicating he was lying, and at least one loud shout threw him for a loop.

UPDATE 4: If you're an opponent of ObamaCare, could I ask you to do me a favor? Here are two questions that could be used to quash ObamaCare. Please contact groups that go to townhalls (like the tea partiers) and suggest that they find someone who's familiar with asking questions (such as a trial lawyer) and have that person ask politicians those questions. You don't have to do much: just find a local tea party group and suggest they press politicians on those questions.

UPDATE 5: The attached video features Obama being heckled by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who shouts out to Obama "you lie!" when, well, Obama lies about illegal aliens being able to get coverage. Unfortunately, Wilson has now apologized:

"This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."

Normally, this site opposes heckling and the like, but in this case it was a bit of a Hail Mary pass.

Wed, 09/09/2009 - 07:34 · · Importance: 4