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Obama Adds Another McCain Adviser to His Hit List

September 03, 2008 6:50 PM

At a family farm barbecue in Dillonvale, Ohio, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., added yet another adviser of his rival, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to his repertoire of how McCain "just doesn't get it."

Joining Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas -- whose July comments that the U.S. was in a "mental recession" and had become "a nation of whiners" were received by Obama-like manna from Heaven -- and McCain campaign manager Rick Davis, who said yesterday that "this election is not about issues," was less well-known McCain adviser, policy analyst John Goodman.

"Listen to this one," Obama told the crowd of 350 rural Ohioans, "you’ll like this one.

"John McCain –- the guy who helped write his health care policy -- was interviewed in the Dallas Morning News the other day, and he said, ‘I’ve got a plan to get rid of all the uninsured,'" Obama said. "He said, ‘if they can go to an emergency room, then they are not uninsured and you should stop calling them uninsured.’

"That was his plan," Obama said, laughing with the crowd in apparent disbelief. "His plan wasn’t to give them health insurance. His plan was to just stop labeling them as uninsured. I’m serious. You’re laughing. This was his plan, it was in the newspaper. So, you just get a sense that these folks just don’t get it."

Obama was referring to an August 27 story in the Dallas Morning News about the U.S. Census finding that Texas has the highest percentage of residents without health insurance, with 24.8 percent of Texas residents uninsured in 2006 and 2007.

In that story, Goodman, president of the conservative National Center for Policy Analysis, was quoted saying the study was misleading since those with access to emergency rooms had a sort of insurance.

"So I have a solution," Goodman told the Morning News. "And it will cost not one thin dime. The next president of the United States should sign an executive order requiring the Census Bureau to cease and desist from describing any American – even illegal aliens – as uninsured. Instead, the bureau should categorize people according to the likely source of payment should they need care. So, there you have it. Voila! Problem solved."

But although Goodman says he helped craft the McCain health care policy, and although he was identified as an "unpaid adviser to the McCain campaign" in a July Wall Street Journal op-ed heralding the McCain health care plan -- the McCain campaign says Mr. Goodman is not an adviser to the campaign.

At least not any longer.

"Mr. Goodman volunteered his advice to the campaign in the past," McCain spox Taylor Griffin tells ABC News. "However, his philosophy on health care--and especially on the urgency of the problems faced by 45 million uninsured American’s--are clearly out of step with John McCain."

Griffin says that "earlier this summer the campaign informed Mr. Goodman that his advice was not required and requested that he not identify himself as being associated with the campaign in any way, including as a volunteer. John McCain could not disagree more strongly with Mr. Goodman.  John McCain believes that addressing the problem of the nation’s uninsured is one of our most pressing national priorities. That’s why the McCain health plan will, for the first time, bring health coverage within reach of every American."

-- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller

September 3, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (28)

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McCain just reminded EVERYONE that they are already PAYING for the uninsureds - via the ER room, where sadly, people who are on the brink of life and death must wait because of all the uninsureds that come in.

Somebody is paying for their healthcare and it is already the American Taxpayer.

Posted by: Marcia | Sep 4, 2008 1:32:52 PM

What are the chances of McCain throwing

Palin under the Bus around Debate time?

Posted by: Elitist | Sep 4, 2008 12:37:35 PM

Could someone please tell me what John McCain means by "within the reach" of most Americans? I wonder how many houses he believes are within reach as well.

Posted by: carter | Sep 4, 2008 12:31:34 PM

OBAMA and Biden

did nothing but trash and bash McCain during their convention and now all the Obama whiners are on here saying that Sarah did nothing but trash Obama. Glass houses.


Obama is an empty suit making promises that he can not keep- especially with all the give aways and the price tag that comes along with it.

Posted by: Brian -CHICAGO | Sep 4, 2008 9:40:07 AM

I am loving it! It is high time someone is not afraid of the left wing of the Democratic party or Obama and his left wing cronies who forced him down our throats and treated Hillary supporters like we were airheads! Someone to step up and give him a good dose of what he gave Hillary Clinton during the primary season. Anyone who can bash Obama is the person I will vote for because I can't stand that little tyrant. Hit list aptly describes this little black mafia elitist sexist gasbag! Way to go Palin! The young voters may come out in droves to vote for him but our population is more than 50% gray and I believe they will come out in droves to vote for McCain! Go McCain!

Posted by: Mary Anne | Sep 4, 2008 9:35:02 AM

Yes, OBAMA does Care!

Obama - does care about spending $3M on his elevated stage

Obama - does care about his own private jet.

Obama - does care about changing the presidential seal to his repesent his own.

Obama - does care about bashing America in Berlin!

Obama - does care about his $1M home.

Obama - does care about Michelle's $300K a year job.

Obama - does care about hanging out with his celebrity friends.

Obama - does care about his book sales.

Obama - does care about his $4M tax return and giving 1% to charity.

I could go on an on but--

The only thing this moron cares about is inflating his own ego and becoming the first black president regardless of his weak and thin resume.

Posted by: Frank- South Hampton,NY | Sep 4, 2008 9:31:37 AM

Oprah, that is not true, Biden got 80,000 votes and Palin's town had a population of less than 7,000 people so I'm not sure how that would be possible

Just some advice for you, don't believe everything you hear, look it up first and find out the facts.

Posted by: Kathy | Sep 4, 2008 1:16:03 AM

Palin got more votes for mayor than Biden got for running for President.

NOBAMA08!

Posted by: oprah | Sep 3, 2008 9:37:13 PM

The 45 million so-called uninsured includes the nearly 20 million illegal aliens and other of foreign nationality in our country. A single person can get health insurance for under $100 a month from numerous companies; family coverage about $200 to $300. Many can afford insurance but just don't want to pay for it. After all, they need beer money and dinners out.

Posted by: Mai | Sep 3, 2008 9:26:10 PM

"Obama's health plan was for only people who only wanted to pay for it then he adopted Clinton's plan."

Accept for the fact that he has not adopted Clinton's plan which called for universal mandates.

The Clinton plan is a near carbon copy of the Edwards plan.

The Obama plan shares some elements with both.

All 3 plans sought to cover the most people possible.

"Most of his so-called plans have been other peoples before he hijacks them."

Because lowering taxes and cutting spending are the cutting edge of Republican thought....LOL!

Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 3, 2008 8:58:16 PM

Obama's health plan was for only people who only wanted to pay for it then he adopted Clinton's plan. Most of his so-called plans have been other peoples before he hijacks them.
Sarah goes after the corrupt politicians and business people and get them out of office and maybe in jail. Obama goes after the corrupt politicians and business people to work within his campaign.
Obama does not understand decent and sincere people--the type that has made this country great.

Posted by: Mary | Sep 3, 2008 8:37:55 PM

For all the flak that people fire at the UK's 'socialist' health care system I have to say that I'm glad just to have something. I am a US citizen who has never had health insurance while living in the US because I worked for a small employer and the cost for going it my own was simply too high for any plan that would have done me any real good. Living here (UK), and in Korea for the last two years I've actually been able to see a doctor and get the help I need when I need it. I have never had a problem booking an appointment and my medicine in the UK is free. In Korea, which operates a national health plan that you pay into, it only cost $80 to have an endoscopy; the medication cost under $3. The monthly cost of my insurance there - $25 for both me and my wife. The US health standards have been on a steady decline for a long while now and we need to fix it now. There are alternatives to being hoodwinked by insurance and pharmaceutical companies; I have seen them, and they are good.

Posted by: In the Uk | Sep 3, 2008 8:17:51 PM

Finally! I was wondering when they were going to jump on that one.

Hey Hey, John McSame! How many Iraqis have you killed in our name?

Posted by: Patricia in SF | Sep 3, 2008 8:13:56 PM

"Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more."

Unfortunately she looks to be a fundamentalist whack-job with links to anti-American organizations (including her very own husband!)

Posted by: anon | Sep 3, 2008 8:08:44 PM

"He also pushed through an expansion of early childhood education, and after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Senator Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases"

Posted by: anon | Sep 3, 2008 8:07:40 PM

"Fact is, where are all these wonderful people he helped organize?"

You are obfuscating the issues by asking questions that can't be answered with this one. Who knows?

"Why are schools in Chicago still a disgrace to so many,wasn't Obama from there and a state rep for a while?"

Hrm. Seems Illinois ranks higher than Arizona on education rankings.

"Where are all the records of the work he did in the Ill state house?"

I'm pretty sure they are documented by the State of Illinois. I'm not going to find them for you. These answers are public knowledge. If you REALLY wanted to know, you could find out. But you don't want to know, so you will continue to play ignorant.

"Where is all the wonderful legislation he pushed through in the Senate in the 140 days he was there before starting his run for the white house?"

Again, this is also available, as it's a public record. You don't want to know, so you're not looking.

Posted by: anon | Sep 3, 2008 8:03:56 PM

Health care is an extremely important issue. People bringing up other non related issues to attack Obama do not realize who pays for people that go to emergency rooms for health care.

It is beyond comprehension that anyone serving in Congress could not know that cost of using.

In addition, anyone that has assets could lose everything they have spent their entire life to earn. In some states people would lose their home, no matter how small the amount of equity.

Wake-up people health care is a crucial issue!

Posted by: Jim | Sep 3, 2008 7:40:21 PM

That is such an utter and complete lie. Obama has told the country everything about himself.
Anon: I could write a book about myself and you would swear I walked on water, if you believed it. Fact is, where are all these wonderful people he helped organize? Why are schools in Chicago still a disgrace to so many,wasn't Obama from there and a state rep for a while? Where are all the records of the work he did in the Ill state house?Where is all the wonderful legislation he pushed through in the Senate in the 140 days he was there before starting his run for the white house? The fact remains that the people that know Obama are ones he doesn't want to talk.

Posted by: david | Sep 3, 2008 7:33:57 PM

McCains plan is more expensive than a national health service. Who does he think is paying for this care?

Posted by: Mike | Sep 3, 2008 7:28:27 PM

"The only difference: Many people know Mccain and so very few know Obama. "

That is such an utter and complete lie. Obama has told the country everything about himself.

Posted by: anon | Sep 3, 2008 7:22:57 PM

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