I didn’t think this was going to be carried live, but Nancy Pelosi is introducing the President right now on C-SPAN. I’ll update.
…Harry Reid showed up. I assume he’ll be passing around the Senate letter which apparently has over 50 firm commitments for passing the reconciliation sidecar.
Reid: “I have a signed agreement to make that good law even better,” a reference to the letter.
Reid relates the health care endgame to March Madness: Republicans are “trying to foul us, and foul us, and foul us” at the end of the game.
…Steny Hoyer up now.
…OK, the President has reached the lectern.
Thanks Reid, Hoyer, Pelosi, etc.
Quotes Abraham Lincoln: “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have.” Acknowledges difficult debate and difficult process.
This body “has taken on some of the toughest votes in the history of Congress.” Stressing the importance of history over poll-watching.
Says there’s a sense we are making progress in the economy.
“Now, we’re on the threshold of doing something about it. We’re a day away.”
…Says the cable news obsession is what will this mean for the Democrats, how will it play in November, etc. “I notice that there’s been a lot of friendly advice offered” by Boehner, McConnell, Rove. Maybe they’re giving the best possible advice so Pelosi remains Speaker. But maybe they also realize that after health reform passes, it’ll be harder to mischaracterize what this effort will be all about.
…Stressing the benefits of reform in 2010.
…Says that GOP fearmongering will amount to nothing after reform passes.
…Stresses that it’s a middle of the road bill supported by Bob Dole and Howard Baker. I’m psyched!
…Again triangulates himself between single payer and deregulation of insurance market.
