A Courageous Health Care Vote - OK Maybe Not Courageous

There are so many major problems with health care bill that it's a challenge to list them all. There's the budgetary gimmick of paying for health care for four years prior to bill taking effect. There is the myriad of state specific deals added in order to gain votes. However, the craziest and most brazen example of political double talk was when President Obama at a town hall meeting proclaimed that Representatives should have courage and vote ones conscience in a straight forward up or down vote. This was almost immediately followed by the Democratic leadership calling for 'deem and pass.' A vote that would allow Congressmen to officially not go on record with a health care vote, while still passing the bill. This basically allows someone to vote 'present' on health care reform. While the method is controversial and angers many, what's crazy about it is that it is the exact opposite of what President Obama had just passionately requested just hours prior - courage and transparency. This left Secretary Gibbs in the unenviable position of trying to answer questions about this blatant hypocrisy...

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A Courageous Up or Down Vote: Nah Just Kidding