What I did see was the numerous VIPs walking in the doors whenever they pleased. A group of well-dressed women were let in the doors in front of my friends and me. I guess they had golden tickets. Once I entered the building and got through security we were given the choice to sit on the bleachers or stand. Choosing to stand offered a better view but it also meant that I was literally surrounded by the President’s sycophants. I do not use this term lightly. If a person chooses to support the President all I ask is that they are well-informed with distinct opinions.
A little later my favorite blogger and her daughter joined me. A very curious thing about where we were standing was that there was a cordoned off section directly in front of us that hadn’t started to fill until about 10:00. Later it began to fill with SEIU members and other VIPs. Obviously the mystery of the 1200 tickets that the administration requested for their own use was solved. If anyone is wondering, Arcadia was given about 500 tickets to give out. Chaka Fattah’s father was standing next to me. I really don’t think he camped out on Saturday. The SEIU members started a chant later: “What do we want? Healthcare!” It sounded much more distinct in person.
I must say that is was pretty cool to see the President of the United States, especially given how close he was. But that wore off pretty quickly. I don’t think I clapped at all during that speech (which was giving the Secret Service Agent near me the willies). The level of frenetic excitement in that gym was amazing. The way that President spun the speech was masterful though. The bit about the Congressional Budget Office will make a particularly lovely sound bite, particularly if no one looks behind the smoke and mirrors presented for the CBO to score. President Obama isn't likely to present the harsh truth that this plan will result in a $2.7 trillion increase not the decrease in the deficit he claimed.
Near the end of his speech the President asked three questions to his audience: “How many people would like a proposal that holds insurance companies more accountable? How many people would like to give Americans the same insurance choices that members of Congress get? And how many would like a proposal that brings down costs for everyone?” I thought more appropriate questions would have gone something like this: “How many people want a health care system that will ration care? How many people want a plan that I’m not even signing my family up for? How many people want reform that will cut Medicare payments and drive taxes and debt up?
I highly doubt these questions will be asked though. There were people at the event who have no idea about the truth of health care reform. There have been quite a few jokes from my friends about my being converted into an Obamaniac after seeing him speak. I am proud to say that is absolutely wrong.
Linked at Thomas Jefferson Club Blog and Donald Douglas links too! Thanks
