Former Democratic strategist turned journalist George Stephanopoulos appeared on Thursday’s Good Morning America to declare that President Obama’s address to Congress on September 9 must "intimidate Republicans a little bit." Stephanopoulos, who was a top aide to Bill Clinton, added that the White House should force the GOP to "make sure they understand the consequences of failure."
The This Week host, who also worked on Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign, didn’t explain why it's the Republicans, in a Democrat-dominated Congress, who would suffer "the consequences of failure." And the President "has to" intimidate the GOP? Is that the official advice of ABC analyst George Stephanopoulos? Or is that the opinion of liberal Democrat George Stephanopoulos?
Additionally, wouldn’t the consequences of failure be suffered by the conservative Blue Dog Democrats in the south who end up voting for government-run health care?
A transcript of the September 3 segment, which aired at 7:03am EDT, follows:
DIANE SAWYER: And for the bottom line, we turn now to Chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos. So, George, as Jake was saying, this is, really, pulling out the biggest stop the President has. The last time it happened, was 2001.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: 2001, after the 9/11 attacks. And, of course, that health care speech by Bill Clinton back in 1993. But, that speech was at the very beginning of the health care process. This is much more the beginning of the end game for President Obama. And as David Gergen said in Jake's piece, right now, the President has to reassure the public, inspire and galvanize Democrats and, also, intimidate Republicans a little bit. Make sure they understand the consequences of failure.
SAWYER: A lot to get done one night, one speech. But, let me ask you, two-thirds of Americans say they are confused about the health care plan, understandably. And the President has given, by our calculation, 27 speeches already about it. What will be different?
STEPHANOPOULOS A lot will be different. The President is going to give more specifics than he's ever given before. Basically, lay out the building blocks of a plan. It will include two or three important things. Number one, a requirement that every American buy health insurance with subsidies for the poorest Americans to help pay for them. Number two, the White House will look at these relatively popular insurance reforms. You can't be denied insurance, if you have a pre-existing condition. You can't lose it if you have a premium skyrocket if you get sit. And then, the big question is what to do with this big public health insurance option?
SAWYER: Caused so much turbulence.
STEPHANOPOULOS: White House recognizes it probably can't get through the Senate. But, they also know there's a lot of support for it in the House. So, what they're working on is a plan, devised by Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican from Maine, Olympia Snowe And that would have this public option as a fallback, if the original reforms didn't work to control cost, to get more coverage, you'd have this as a fall back. But there's no guarantee that can fly, either.
SAWYER: So, in many places, ways, he'll be speaking to hundreds of millions of people around the country. But also, one senator.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You got that exactly right. Not just the one Republican who looks like she might go for a deal right now, but also this group of about five to ten conservative Democratic senators in the Senate. And a group of about 40 to 50 conservatives in the House, who aren't on board right now.
SAWYER: And timing, has to happen by the end of the year?
STEPHANOPOULOS: That’s right. They would like it to happen in October. But, realistically, Democrats and Republicans I talked to on the hill, say don't be surprised if we're here right around Christmas.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.




















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Comments Policy
These morons don't know
September 3, 2009 - 17:00 ET by Chris NormanThese morons don't know which way to turn. They're fighting an enemy that isn't even there. So what if Obama cows the GOP, what good is that going to do him?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
dittos
September 3, 2009 - 17:21 ET by 10ksnookerThey don't know which end is up. Obama and the rest tried to do this repeatedly.
It's the American people that know this government run healthcare is a crap solution to an entirely artificial crisis.
From what alternate universe
September 4, 2009 - 09:23 ET by JRJ08From what alternate universe are you people getting your information? Never mind. You're probably the same group who think the world was created in 4,004 BC.
You went to the trouble to
September 4, 2009 - 10:00 ET by Chris NormanYou went to the trouble to register here, wait for approval, just to write this?
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
In November. I said the
September 3, 2009 - 17:49 ET by danboIn November. I said the democRATS thought they were god. Nothing could stop them. They would have no self control.
And it wouldn't take long to remind people why they were thrown out of office in the 90's.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
Intimidate isn't the right
September 3, 2009 - 17:06 ET by Kat Outta the BagIntimidate isn't the right word, George. Nauseate is more like it.
"make sure they understand the consequences of failure."
September 3, 2009 - 17:11 ET by CarlosSYeah, if the democrats have to go this was alone..., then they'll have to accept FULL responsibility for how Obamacare starts turning out a year or so down the road. They need a couple of republicans to vote with them so they can say it's bipartisan responsibility
I hope obama does come out
September 3, 2009 - 17:11 ET by MidAmericaI hope obama does come out with a bully attitude. That way he can intensify the red hot anger against his healthcare into a white hot anger.
They are soooo predictable.....
September 3, 2009 - 17:17 ET by motherbeltSo, what they're working on is a plan, devised by Maine Senator Olympia
Snowe, Republican from Maine, Olympia Snowe And that would have this
public option as a fallback, if the original reforms didn't work to
control cost, to get more coverage, you'd have this as a fall back.....
ah, yes, Olympia Snowe, the famous "even Republican."
As if no one saw this coming: the "public option" as a fallback. This was about as unexpected as night following day!
Will they have a special camera?
September 3, 2009 - 17:45 ET by KC MulvilleDuring the speech, I wonder if they'll have a camera on Snowe, to "gauge" her reactions. Or have her twitter her feelings during the speech. Or have Frank Luntz doing those handheld up and down meters ...
This has real comic potential.
Lol KC... Especially the
September 3, 2009 - 17:48 ET by bigtimerLol KC...
Especially the Luntz scenario.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Obama likes to say he reaches across the aisle
September 3, 2009 - 17:26 ET by ekslibQuestion is...
Does Obama want to shake hands with Republicans or does he want to bite off their fingers?
"I won" reaches across the aisle?
September 3, 2009 - 19:50 ET by needleI would like the Big Zero to try to impress me.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
The leftist still don't get it.
September 3, 2009 - 17:32 ET by bobwhiteIt is the righteous wrath of the American people that Obama needs to fear, not the Republican political party.
"From so small a spark a great fire seems to have been kindled."----Thomas Hutchinson
It's not just Obama. that
September 3, 2009 - 17:45 ET by danboIt's not just Obama. that needs to fear the wrath of the American people.
It's also the media.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
Peter Wehner over at Commentary agrees with you.
September 3, 2009 - 20:04 ET by needleCommentary doesn’t accept comments, so I will just add here: Working with Wehner’s 2006 Iraqi war analogy one has to wonder where on earth Obama is going to come up with the equivalent of a General Petraeus.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
There isn't a Difference
September 3, 2009 - 17:40 ET by evilcontractorScott, "Is that the official advice of ABC analyst George Stephanopoulos? Or is that the opinion of liberal Democrat George Stephanopoulos?"
Why waste time asking the questions? There isn't a difference between an ABC analyst and a liberal Democrat (debtocrat).
www.btreasures.com
It's simple, Republicans...
September 3, 2009 - 17:45 ET by nolotrippenWhatever a liberal "helpfully" suggests, do the exact opposite.
Speaking of the clueless
September 3, 2009 - 17:53 ET by celatorSpeaking of the clueless Olympia Snowe-job, here's an article from today's Bangor Daily News about her meeting yesterday with what the article calls "supporters of health care reform". The headline says it all:
"Health care reform fans blitz Snowe with 35,000 messages"
It gets a lot worse. When she whines about how moderate she is, you know she is a full blown liar. Here's the paragraph that illustrates without a doubt who is in total cahoots with-- the worst, most radical elements of society.
From the Article:
"Wednesday’s event, organized by the Service Employees International Union’s Maine Change that Works; the Association of Federal, State, County and Municipal Employees; the Maine People’s Alliance; and Organizing for America, featured impassioned pleas from several people."
Nothing more need be said about where she stands, who she associates with, or who she listens to.
She's been a total political phony all her life, and she's played her political slight of hand very well indeed, but the jig is up. The leftist radicals in southern Maine know this of course. But when travels north, she changes her tune, and gets the numbers at election time.
We get the politicians we deserve.
Here's the article:
http://www.bangordai...
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
"We get the politicians we deserve"
September 3, 2009 - 17:56 ET by RayRaywe get the politicians that the idiot masses deserve, yes
I hope that the current
September 3, 2009 - 18:07 ET by celatorI hope that the current Obama train wreck wakes people up, and that they begin to dig into what's really going on, what Obama and the D's are trying to do. I do have more hope lately,
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
cel... I've despised this
September 3, 2009 - 17:58 ET by bigtimercel...
I've despised this phony woman for so many years I can't count them all now...and of course the msm just wuvs her...just like McC...once a RINO always a RINO...I don't care what kind of a big act they put on when not on the Senate floor.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
She comes from the town next
September 3, 2009 - 18:04 ET by celatorShe comes from the town next to mine, and so lots of people know her around here. She had a pretty tragic early life, yada yada yada. I've seen her change from slightly left of center to a complete whack job. She is incredibly thin skinned about her "reputation", and is a terror to work for, I am told. One way to get her hackles up is to criticize her with a letter to the editor. LOL. Been there, done that.
But she does have a solid lock on the electorate here, and seems impossible to vote out. The R party in the state might as well be on vacation. Useless.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
cel... It really is sad,
September 3, 2009 - 18:13 ET by bigtimercel...
It really is sad, tragic we cannot get rid of these people after so many years.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Obama and His Followers Share a Serious Mental Disorder
September 3, 2009 - 17:58 ET by Retired Geek'Cognitive Dissonance' is a 'Serious Mental Disorder' that holds two or more diametrically opposed views of 'Reality' as the 'Singularity of Reality'.
ObamaCare proposes that life lengthening care for seniors, the seriously handicapped or those suffering from Cancer or other serious illnesses, is simply to expensive for someone who MAY no longer make a 'Positive Contribution' to society - which is unproven.
Then the Liberal 'Cognitive Dissonance'.
Liberals stand steadfast on their opposition to the 'Death Penalty' of those who have 'Proven' that they have NOT made a 'Positive Contribution' to society.
Liberals INSIST that that we house, feed, clothe, provide cable TV, internet access and provide medical care for serial killers, murderers, rapists and the very 'Dregs' of Society residing on 'Death Row'.
Why??
Liberals 'Insist' that those who have been judged 'Guilty' by law and a jury of their peers, may someday make a 'Positive Contribution' to society and may NOT be guilty - therefore ANY COST is reasonable.
Liberals then 'Insist' that those who are NOT guilty of anything but being Elderly, Handicapped or Seriously Ill, have proven beyond a 'Shadow of a Doubt' that they WILL NOT make a 'Positive Contribution' to society and ANY COST is unreasonable.
Retired Geek
September 3, 2009 - 23:09 ET by MrShyGreat point! Great post :)
Retired Geek
September 3, 2009 - 23:14 ET by RESTLESS 1"Liberals then 'Insist' that those who are NOT guilty of anything but
being Elderly, Handicapped or Seriously Ill, have proven beyond a
'Shadow of a Doubt' that they WILL NOT make a 'Positive Contribution'
to society and ANY COST is unreasonable."
You forgot the egregious sin of not yet being born.
"If the man, with the power, can't keep it under control...some heads are gonna roll." -Judas Priest
I hate to tell Rahm's mouth (that's Georgie)...
September 3, 2009 - 18:12 ET by R D Helm...but the dems are the ones gumming up the works on KennedyKare.
There are more than enough dems to pass it today.
Why hasn't it passed, then?
-Dave
Even when the government tries to kiss you, it is just a prelude to a good screwing. -Neal Boortz
Dave...give 'em a month of
September 3, 2009 - 18:43 ET by bigtimerDave...give 'em a month of so...they'll get something passed, their toe in the door...with or without some RINOs.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
bt,
September 3, 2009 - 21:36 ET by R D Helm"...they'll get [something] passed..."
And that is what scares the Hell out of me. :-O
-Dave
Even when the government tries to kiss you, it is just a prelude to a good screwing. -Neal Boortz
Dave... ...that it
September 3, 2009 - 22:38 ET by bigtimerDave...
...that it do.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
At sub-50% approval and still falling like a rock,
September 3, 2009 - 18:38 ET by lsudolemiteObama is in no position to "intimidate" anyone.
It amazes me how these people continue to get a free pass for overlooking the fact that Republicans are powerless, and they don't need a single Republican vote to pass anything. Wouldn't make for a good scapegoat I guess.
kick the dog in the corner a couple more times
September 3, 2009 - 18:53 ET by katainkentblame it all you like. Doesn't change the truth.
___________________________________________
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. ~Thomas Jefferson
Hey, George, Obama's approval rating is in the low 40's...
September 3, 2009 - 19:01 ET by jawebster1and still falling. He may be able to intimidate small animals and children, but his time to intimidate grown-ups has come and gone. The Emperor truly has no clothes and everybody with a brain, now knows it. From now on, the more he speaks, the less popular he becomes. His best course of action is to simply shut up. Jim Webster
The Jones Problem
September 3, 2009 - 19:21 ET by slickwillie2001The Bamster may have to resolve the Van Jones problem before he can move on to this speech. I was surprised by the reaction of the Fox News panel to the 'Van Jones – Troofer' story; Steve Hayward was surprised that Jones has not already been fired, and even Mara Liasson looked like a deer in the headlights on Jones.
They see it as far more serious than I do I guess. I don't think the Bamster will do anything serious on Jones, other than stick his nose high in the air and remind us that "he won". Jones is a nutball to be sure, but his administration is full of nutballs, including the idiot President himself.
The Important Address will
September 3, 2009 - 19:25 ET by motherbeltThe Important Address will be preceded by another "Important Address" in which he will say "That's not the Van Jones I knew...."
<Man overboard!!>
Yup. Hop on the bus,
September 3, 2009 - 20:27 ET by QueenMumYup. Hop on the bus, Van.
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out
of other people's money."
—Margaret Thatcher
QM... Lol..Slip out the
September 3, 2009 - 22:37 ET by bigtimerQM...
Lol..Slip out the back Jack. ;-)
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
One thing to bear in mind:
September 3, 2009 - 19:30 ET by needleGeorge Stephanopoulos was almost certainly discussing this very matter with Rahm Emmanuel this morning; what we have here is the essence of their conversation.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler for your portfolio management.
Wow! Does this mean Boy
September 3, 2009 - 20:11 ET by RR GOPWow! Does this mean Boy George is openly supportive of the Democrats' political agenda????
Shocked...yeah, totally...shocked.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Intimidate the
September 3, 2009 - 21:33 ET by fitzfongIntimidate the Republicans? How does this pathetic Clintonoid mouthpiece think that the totally exposed and emasculated fraud Obama is going to "intimidate" the Republicans without further alienating average Americans? What, is he going to send the SEIU thugs to the House floor to bite off fingers and swing lead pipes? Nice word choice, Clintonoid douche, that's really going to move the public sentiment in your favor. Besides, last I checked, Castrobama doesn't need any Republican support to shove this crap down our throats...so quit the sad charade. Pretty soon, his credibility is going to be so low that he'll probably consider martial law to enforce his bankrupt agenda against the will of the people.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
what intimidation is left?
September 3, 2009 - 21:36 ET by candanceWe've already been called terrorists, racists, bigots, inciting riots, etc. We've already seen union thugs beating people in the streets. I'd like to know what Stephie has in mind...
cd,
September 3, 2009 - 21:39 ET by R D Helmwhat intimidation is left?
Plenty:
Quinn Hillyer on Obama-He's not Jimmy Carter: http://spectator.org/archiv...
-Dave
Even when the government tries to kiss you, it is just a prelude to a good screwing. -Neal Boortz
first link doesn't work
September 3, 2009 - 21:45 ET by candanceI know the left has much more in mind. I was thinking what else they could *legally* do.
candance
September 3, 2009 - 23:09 ET by MrShyStephy is calling on Obama to dispatch his Lugnut Czars, to warn all citizens that "anything can happen on the road the next time we get behind the wheel" if we don't all comply.
:)
Lugnut Czars?
September 3, 2009 - 23:19 ET by Free StinkerLugnut Czars?
I am officially confused. :-\
Free?
September 3, 2009 - 23:21 ET by MrShyFacebook? Candance? Just sayin . . .
:)
She filmed something very funny and posted it. Didn't see it?
Lugnuts on FB? (awaits
September 3, 2009 - 23:22 ET by Free StinkerLugnuts on FB?
(awaits punchline)
check your FB requests
September 3, 2009 - 23:44 ET by candanceApparently we're not friends there (?) so I sent you another invite.
When did that happen?
September 3, 2009 - 23:45 ET by Free StinkerWhen did that happen?
not sure
September 3, 2009 - 23:48 ET by candancebut come on back
rofl shy!!
September 3, 2009 - 23:36 ET by candanceThe Lugnut czar. Don't tell hubby about it...
X
September 3, 2009 - 22:32 ET by serfer62Has McNasty surrendered yet or has the "Gang of ..." still in the forming stage.
Gramesty, call your office.
"make sure they understand the consequences of failure."
September 3, 2009 - 22:47 ET by traderjamesThe consequenses of 'failure' are...that this man has NO mandate for the rest of his term, hehe.
tj... 'Waterloo' 'Go
September 3, 2009 - 23:05 ET by bigtimertj...
'Waterloo'
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Little Georgie what a tool.
September 3, 2009 - 23:11 ET by CTSomebody should walk up behind this little pissant and go BOO then step back as he Democraps himself.
I've been threatened by Bullies before...
September 4, 2009 - 02:50 ET by Army BratA tyrant threatening me is no different. My response will be the same. Never submit.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Intimidate
September 4, 2009 - 22:42 ET by Free StinkerIntimidate Republicans?
Like Snowe? Collins? Powell? Those Republicans?
The Obama administration is close to a meltdown! They're the ones who are running scared!
lol.. Free Stinker!
September 4, 2009 - 22:44 ET by Sergeant ROCKJust send the paperboy to their house. That's more than enough intimidation.
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
No, he's supposed to get
September 5, 2009 - 12:01 ET by fitzfongNo, he's supposed to get intimate with them.
As for intimidating some of the more resistant, Stephie probably wants That One to scare them by threatening to release the MorOn.com/SEIU savages hungry for fingers. By the way, my theory is that the cannibal goon from the other day was looking to find a replacement for Ballerina Emmanuel's missing digit. He can always have my middle finger.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best