Obama prepares for pivotal health care speech

8:53 AM on 09/09/2009

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President Obama tonight will make what some are calling the speech of his presidency.

He'll address a joint session of Congress and the American people on the subject of health care reform, the issue that has generated so much political heat this summer.

The president has tried to stay at arm's length in the health care debate in Congress, to shape it from a distance. Tonight that changes as he puts himself in the center of the fray.

Ahead of tonight's speech the pressures on the president were loud and visible. Liberal activists showed up outside the White House. Even some who worked for Barack Obama during his campaign threatened to abandon him.

"I will not work for him again if he abandons the public option," said former Obama staffer Lauryn Beer.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressured him inside and huddled with Democrats later.

"I do believe that in order to have a bill pass the house it will have a public option," said Pelosi.

Trouble is, fiery town halls this summer have driven some democrats like Arkansas' Mike Ross against public insurance.

After senators paused to remember health care champion Ted Kennedy, some Republicans like Arizona's John McCain called for Obama to start over.

"Let's go back to square one, sit down together, and get this issue resolved," he said.

Will the president endorse a public plan as a fallback, if too few uninsured end up covered?

"He might endorse a trigger or some concept designed to enlist the support of a handful of Republicans," said Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota. "I think most Republicans are going to view that as repackaging and relabeling the government plan."

From the White House, there are promises tonight of clarity.

"People will come away understanding where he is on these big issues and these big questions," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.

Senate Democrat Max Baucus has scheduled meetings through the day.

He wants his so-called "Gang of Six" negotiators to back his 900 billion dollar reform plan before the president's speech.

That Baucus plan has no public option, new taxes on insurers, and an individual mandate.

The question for many tonight, is whether the president is trying to soften critics on the right or left?

Neither side guarantees him a reform package.

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President Obama tonight will make what some are calling the speech of his presidency. He'll address a joint session of Congress and the American people on the subject of health care reform, the issue that has generated so much political heat this summer. The president has tried to stay at arm's length in the health care debate in Congress, to shape it from a distance. Tonight that changes as he puts himself in the center of the fray. Ahead of tonight's speech the pressures on the president were loud and visible. Liberal activists showed up outside the White House. Even some who worked for Barack Obama during his campaign threatened to abandon him. "I will not work for him again if he abandons the public option," said former Obama staffer Lauryn Beer. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressured him inside and huddled with Democrats later. "I do believe that in order to have a bill pass the house it will have a public option," said Pelosi. Trouble is, fiery town halls this summer have driven some democrats like Arkansas' Mike Ross against public insurance. After senators paused to remember health care champion Ted Kennedy, some Republicans like Arizona's John McCain called for Obama to start over. "Let's go back to square one, sit down together, and get this issue resolved," he said. Will the president endorse a public plan as a fallback, if too few uninsured end up covered? "He might endorse a trigger or some concept designed to enlist the support of a handful of Republicans," said Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota. "I think most Republicans are going to view that as repackaging and relabeling the government plan." From the White House, there are promises tonight of clarity. "People will come away understanding where he is on these big issues and these big questions," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said. Senate Democrat Max Baucus has scheduled meetings through the day. He wants his so-called "Gang of Six" negotiators to back his 900 billion dollar reform plan before the president's speech. That Baucus plan has no public option, new taxes on insurers, and an individual mandate. The question for many tonight, is whether the president is trying to soften critics on the right or left? Neither side guarantees him a reform package.