The Media Swoons Over a False Speech

Last night, President Obama delivered his speech about health care reform to a joint session of Congress. In it, he said many things but nothing new. He also made several false statements:

• He said costs will be reduced but the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says it will cost much more.


• He said less than 5 percent of Americans would sign up for the public option but the estimated numbers are far greater and do not include the people switching from private plans.


• He said the plan would not add to the deficit but the money brought in from premiums can't make up for the money it will be spending.


• He said preventive care for everyone saves money when it costs more.


• He said nothing in the plan requires people to change their health care plan. Technically true, but it has been shown to be false. People will be forced to move.

And yet the media doesn't parse the message or question it. Since it came from Obama, it is as if the message came From On High (1):

• Keith Olbermann from MSNBC said it was "a broad and forward thinking speech" with "a touch of greatness."


• George Stephanopoulos on ABC said it was "a pretty remarkable speech" and suggested "this might have been the most emotional speech I've seen President Obama give" as "there was even a catch in his voice" because "this is very close to President Obama's heart."


• Chuck Todd on NBC reported how Obama endorses an insurance mandate for all citizens, came down pretty strongly for the so-called public option and proposed paying for it all by "taxing benefits for the wealthiest." Yet after that liberal garbage, Todd insisted the address was "about re-branding the President himself as a centrist and a pragmatist."


• CNN's Gloria Borger gushed about how "there was something in there for everybody".


• David Gergen lamented Obama's lost opportunity: "Had he given this speech three months ago, when there was a glow about his presidency, I think he could have swept the country...". Let me just add, thank God.


• Jonathan Alter from Newsweek said, "The great news tonight is this bill is on track for passage. Historic change is coming to the United States."

The entire accounting of the sickening bias can be found from the original article here.
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1. Baker, Brent (2009, September 9). "'Touch of Greatness' in 'Remarkable' Speech About 'Re-Branding' Obama As 'Centrist'". NewsBusters.
Retrieved September 10, 2009, from News Busters