Obama address excerpts offer few specifics

Excerpts of President Barack Obama’s healthcare speech do not contain the specifics clamored for by Democrats and Republicans.

Instead, they reveal that Obama will say that the time for bickering is over and that his healthcare plan already includes ideas from members of both parties.

“It’s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight – Democrats and Republicans,” Obama will say. “ And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead.

He will add that the White House door is open for those who have a serious set of proposals to offer, according to the excerpts released by the White House.

The president also will excoriate his opponents for the “same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government.”

“Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics,” Obama will say. “Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise.”

Obama, in his second address to a joint session of Congress, is set to open up his plan to include ideas proposed by GOPers and other political opponents including Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), according to the remarks.

“But know this:  I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it.”

The White House has said that Americans watching Obama's address would walk away with a clearer understanding of what the president wants to see in healthcare reform.

Obama will emphasize that his plan will provide insurance for those who lack it and that it will slow the growth of healthcare costs, something Republicans have disputed.

He will say that his plan asks everyone to take responsibility, “not just government and insurance companies, but employers and individuals.”

---