Think Progress

Obama jokes that health care reform can’t follow the path of Thelma and Louise ‘over the cliff.’

At today’s White House health care summit, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) observed, “We’re past the Harry and Louise moment,” referring to the the 1990s anti-health reform ad campaign. “We’re at the Thelma and Louise moment. We’re in the car heading for the cliff.” (Watch it.) At the conclusion of the summit today, President Obama quoted Whitehouse, but warned that in the movie, Thelma and Louise actually drove off the cliff in the end:

OBAMA: Now I just want to be clear if you actually saw the movie, they did drive over the cliff. So, just want to be clear, that’s not our intention. (Laughter)

Watch it:

Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) said, “I am looking to being a foot soldier in this undertaking. This time we will not fail.”



60 Responses to “Obama jokes that health care reform can’t follow the path of Thelma and Louise ‘over the cliff.’”

  1. misshusseinmolly says:

    Oh dear — I hope President Obama didn’t ruin the ending of the movie for anyone…

    Seriously though — I’m glad Obama, Whitehouse, Kennedy, and many others are forging ahead on this important issue and aren’t allowing the right-wing detractors to slow them down.


  2. Cats r Flyfishn says:

    President Obama is so personable. This is why Rush Limbaugh hates him. President Obama draws people to him while one look at Rush Limbaugh and people walk away with the exception of the ditto heads.


  3. Cats r Flyfishn says:

    miss molly – It’s a good thing that this administration is forging ahead on health care now. President Obama has exceptionally high ratings and his opposition doesn’t have their feet firmly planted. Rush Limbaugh and his yapping is distracting the Republicans and Gibbs keeps the feeding frenzy going while President Obama does his job as our leader.


  4. spencers mom says:

    God, I love my President!

    PEACE


  5. hussein toasterhead says:

    Gee, thanks for the spoiler alert, Mr. President! >:(


  6. TheAntichrist says:

    Whatever man… I’m used to the jive talking so I’m not impressed.

    Just make sure you let republicans pressure you into giving up the public healthcare option!!!

    You would have truly betrayed us if you don’t FIGHT the republicans on that issue…


  7. TheAntichrist says:

    Whatever man…

    I’m used to the jive talking so I’m not impressed.

    Just make sure you DON’T let the republicans pressure you into giving up the public healthcare option!!! You would have truly betrayed us if you don’t FIGHT the republicans on that issue


  8. katy says:

    … did they?

    i think not… myself…


  9. katy says:

    referring to:
    “… they did drive over the cliff. ”

    to be clear.


  10. had enough says:

    TheAntichrist Says:

    Whatever man… I’m used to the jive talking so I’m not impressed.

    Just make sure you let republicans pressure you into giving up the public healthcare option!!!

    What kind of a person are you and those other GOP terrorists who want our country to fail, that wish for status quo …. watching 18,000 to 40,000 die each year due to no access to health care? These are no the elderly or disabled as they have medicare.

    Why shouldn’t all have medicare?

    Why should we, US, be the only industrialized country without a decent/moral health care system for all?


  11. Badmoodman says:

    Obama jokes that health care reform can’t follow the path of Thelma and Louise ‘over the cliff.’

    – - Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis probably won’t get pissy like Tonya Harding did when Obama mentioned her.


  12. atsegga says:

    The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.

    $30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
    $550 billion: U.S. Defense budget


  13. Buckie Boy says:

    We have the MOST EXPENSIVE health care in the world.

    We are 50 years behind every industrialized nation.

    Health care for profit is morally wrong.

    National health care will help American Business’s compete.

    If repukes don’t want single payer health care, then fine, they can just rot while the rest of us know that we will be taken care of if something awful comes up.

    FTR


  14. spencers mom says:

    Katy my man, yes, they did. A female Butch and Sundance.

    PEACE


  15. dbadass says:

    Well I am sure glad atsegga is back. I was getting a little weirded out when for a momnet the Borgens stopped using the autodialer.

    So atsegga, I am a little concerned that I offered up some real money numerous times if you folks would just come on out from behind the annoying posts like this and be real and you all ignored me. Is it possible that you really aren’t what you wish to be seen as?

    Oh and why do you all such unique names?
    Thanks but I still think if you all spent your time making some sandwhiches rather than using the annoying Andrew Wang approach, less people might be hungry


  16. tokin librul says:

    It’s an objective “failure” if, at the end, the health insurance companies are happy with it.


  17. hanshiro says:

    However, the car over the cliff analogy does fit the management of the American automobile industry to a “T”


  18. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    Archie B Says:
    “Good time to crackin’ jokes. When’s the big party?”

    even better than 43 in a fake “search” of the oval office looking for WMD’s, assclown? last time i checked, obama’s “joke” didn’t kill over 4,000 americans and maim countless others


  19. hanshiro says:

    Off Topic as hell, but…

    Go to ColbertNation and click on the NASA link on the right:

    Help us to name another important addition to the station – Node 3 and its cupola!
    Vote using the poll on the right.

    Voting will be open until March 20th, 2009. NASA will announce the winning name in April 2009.

    NASA wants your opinion in naming the International Space Station’s Node 3 – a connecting module and its cupola – before the two segments travel to space and are installed on the orbiting laboratory. The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1- Unity- and Node 2- Harmony.

    To vote for him, type in the name, “Colbert.”

    Let’s immortalize Stephen in space! WooHoo!


  20. had enough says:

    Talk of a decent health care system for all has been going on since the Truman administration.

    Maybe it will take something drastic such as

    ALL uninsured do not hesitate to use the ER as they, unless it has changed, morally have to see all patients and they can not make you pay.

    Tying up a critical area may force change.


  21. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    oohhhhhh look, “proud to be a moron” dusted off an oldie but goody…his barack obomber drag


  22. EugeneDebs says:

    barack obomber Says:

    So this is all you have. You are so stupid that your whole schtick is using words you dont understand to repeat like the demented parrot you are whatever Rush TOLD you to think. Preposerously pathetic. You are an embarassment to our entire species. SKWWWWAAAAAAKKKK, socialism, Skwwwwaaaaaakkkk Communism, Skwwaaaaakkkk. It must suck to be as stupid as you are.


  23. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    hell yeah free health care for all!!

    next stop cable broadband food gas cars clothes shoes hoooooooray. russia here we come commies.

    Judges?
    Well, it does seem to have a good beat, easy to dance to. But the lyrics are incomprehensible, mumbled, and jumbled. A poor imitation of John Lennon or Billy Joel. Not going to be a hit.


  24. hanshiro says:

    19. barack obomber Says: hell yeah free health care for all!! next stop cable broadband food gas cars clothes shoes hoooooooray. russia here we come commies.

    ???, ?? ?????


  25. hanshiro says:

    19. barack obomber Says: hell yeah free health care for all!! next stop cable broadband food gas cars clothes shoes hoooooooray. russia here we come commies.

    Nyet!


  26. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre says:

    Just drop the current age eligibility for Medicare Health Coverage of 65 down to zero (0). Since joining Medicare is voluntary, all the corporate-pig-zombies can stay with the greedy HMOs of their choice. Medicare is extremely efficient, somewhere on the order of ninety-nine payment dollars to doctors, labs and hospitals with one percent overhead. The overhead on private for-profit HMOs runs about 20% to 30%, including millions for bonuses for those hard-working CEOs…


  27. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    hanshiro Says: ???, ?? ?????

    I like this style of response to nonsense! Question marks, commas, colons, semi-colons, and a period with no words. Excellent.


  28. had enough says:

    The goppers can be compared to terrorists as they both want our country to fail. I will bet the terrorists take care of their own, at least have the empathy to not let greed blind them from humanity at the extent we see with the goppers.


  29. EugeneDebs says:

    barack obomber Says:

    You are nothing but a pathetic punk regurgitating the spew you have been programmed with. You are ignorant. You are pathetic. You are a piece of garbage. The world will move on without the moral retards like you. What a pathetic little weasel you are that you know you are stupid so you just toss out these trollturds instead of thinking for yourself. If I were half as stupid or pathetic as you I would commit supuku immediatly out of shame. You are so pathetic you dont even know what self respect is.


  30. TheAntichrist says:

    @had enough

    I did not say I was against universal healthcare you bozo.

    I said we should hold Obama accountable if he backs out of offering the public healthcare option in his plan.

    He cannot let the republicans pressure him out of that


  31. Crazy Cat Lady says:

    PLC-

    I’ll give it a 9! After all, I’m a commie, homo-lovin’ son a gun!

    I’m a regular lurker, and have really been enjoying your bible quotes to the idiots. Great job! Finally, a Christian that doesn’t embarrass me!


  32. Crazy Cat Lady says:

    Troll, you doth bellow
    Fake concern, funny fellow!
    We see right through you


  33. AlGore says:

    Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) said, “I am looking to being a foot soldier in this undertaking. This time we will not Bail.”

    Fixed it for ya Teddy boy.

    Ted, He was talking about driving over a cliff, not off of a bridge.


  34. dbadass says:

    barack obomber seems so childlike in some many ways yet so intriquing. Tell me Mr/Ms Obomber what is your background and why are you her this evening? I am genuinely interested and assure you my interest is strickly academic


  35. McWars says:

    barack obomber Says:
    hell yeah free health care for all!!

    Let me tell you something, slum lord. I could be knocked upside the the head with Ronald Reagan’s casket 500 times and I still wouldn’t go for continuing the unearthly status of “for-profit” health care.

    But I see the little-known actor successfully pissed in your cranium before he called it a life.


  36. McWars says:

    The real Al Gore, former Vice President & winner of the 2000 election.

    Behind every mock handle (JK, AlGore, others) is a very, very bitter and demented little man. I’d hate to meet these people.


  37. hanshiro says:

    30. PatrioticLiberalChristian Says: hanshiro Says: ???, ?? ????? I like this style of response to nonsense! Question marks, commas, colons, semi-colons, and a period with no words. Excellent.

    Actually, it was a response in russian that didn’t get recognized on TP’s script utility….

    but I like your explanation better.


  38. hanshiro says:

    Woohoo! Sanjaya withdrew his name from consideration for Surgeon General!

    Couldn’t handle making less money, reportedly. My pagan, backward, ritual sacrifices worked! Plus they resulted in a nice peanut brittle….


  39. katy says:

    spencers mom Says:
    Katy my man, yes, they did. A female Butch and Sundance.

    oh alright…

    i just prefer to think they flew a bit, then ditched, just in time…

    and i still can’t figure out ‘why?’…
    with butch and sundance, it was more understandable…
    and i thought thelma and louise were stronger… i was disappointed.


  40. dbadass says:

    Sanjaya withdrew his name from consideration for Surgeon General
    — Isn’t his name Sanjay?


  41. Crazy Cat Lady says:

    Katy,

    I look at it this way. They WERE stronger – they chose it, not had it forced upon them. If I remember right, they were about to be arrested? for murder? I’d choose death over prison too.


  42. AlGore says:

    McWars Says:
    I’d hate to meet these people.

    Ah schucks, I’m really just a harmless, lovable little fuzzball.


  43. PatrioticLiberalChristian says:

    Crazy Cat Lady, thank you. You can lurk but purr us a post once in a while!

    hanshiro, serindipity (I’m too tired to check the spelling) is great, isn’t it?


  44. Crazy Cat Lady says:

    PLC – welcome! Everything I want to say is said better by others, so I just enjoy!


  45. hanshiro says:

    43. dbadass Says: Sanjaya withdrew his name from consideration for Surgeon General
    — Isn’t his name Sanjay?

    Only to those who don’t know what a shill he is…

    ;-)


  46. had enough says:

    TheAntichrist Says:

    @had enough

    I did not say I was against universal healthcare you bozo.

    I said we should hold Obama accountable if he backs out of offering the public healthcare option in his plan.

    allowances are there for misinterpretations…but for one to use name calling when you can not spell…

    healthcare is health care.

    “Hold Obama accountable”..for backing out of the public plan.?

    I don’t remember a public plan but he alludes to the fact he wants to make health care more affordable without using the words and being definite on single payer…. something some of us have a problem with.

    I am not sure what you want to hold President Obama accountable for… except maybe put him in a negative light.


  47. dbadass says:

    hanshiro Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    43. dbadass Says: Sanjaya withdrew his name from consideration for Surgeon General
    — Isn’t his name Sanjay?

    Only to those who don’t know what a shill he is…

    ;-)


    Disrespecting a name is just disrespect. I have no problem ragging folks for real issues but manners still matter


  48. dbadass says:

    this is especially true when the choice employed to disrespect a name was made to disrespect two people simultaneously. Do your thing. It isn’t my business, I just hold myself to a different standard


  49. Chowda says:

    Barry Sotero/Obama didn’t speak off a teleprompter script someone else wrote on this did he? That would be trouble, just ask his “next president” I mean, his vice president “bill biden”. I think he meant “joe”, but that just may be me. Good thing he’s a liberal or that would be posted until the end of time.

    Anywho….the largest problem with health care costs is the massive flood of illegals that bankrupt the hospitals. Just do a search on that…if one isn’t a liberal/progressive sheep.

    Reality over. Now back to the regularly scheduled echo chamber for the programmed sheep.


  50. bgfsh says:

    With Republicans only willing to treat the elite few that can afford the right kind of health insurance . . . . . as that car goes over the cliff . . . .


  51. dbadass says:

    Anywho….the largest problem with health care costs is the massive flood of illegals that bankrupt the hospitals

    I can’t find a single hospital that has ever declared bankruptcy in any of the very many communities I have resided in. Is it possible that you are being misleading?


  52. katy says:

    Crazy Cat Lady Says:
    … I’d choose death over prison too.

    oh my… not me… at least there would be life after prison.
    those were extenuating circumstances…

    besides, HARVEY KEITEL!

    that beautiful car…
    :-(


  53. green says:

    I am compelled to post a quick comment regarding the troll calling himself O.B. What the troll doesn’t understand is that it is not about free health care – it about creating a single payer system (Medicaire, Medicaid) to which we all pay into and still have choice in our doctors and treatment. The big scaredy cat GOOP’s have good health insurance (as do all our congress members and government employees) so they don’t see the need to call health insurance a right – they want to call it a privelege for all the poor people and minimum wage earners – but for themselves? It’s a right and you can be sure of that.

    We need to look to France and Scandinavia on how to get the single payer health care insurance system to work for us.


  54. green says:

    OOPS! not “OB” but B.O. — this one really stinks!


  55. hanshiro says:

    51. dbadass Says: this is especially true when the choice employed to disrespect a name was made to disrespect two people simultaneously. Do your thing. It isn’t my business, I just hold myself to a different standard

    Bully for you. Making a cultural reference is the domain of every and any comedian or comedy shtick, from Rush’s name on down. The ‘Sanjaya’ I referred to was publicly panned much along the lines of William Hung.

    Sanjaya was a fad, not equal to the attention accorded him and was kept around to exploit his clearly unfounded popularity and poor suitability to be a singing star.

    Much the way Gupta was kept on CNN despite his being discredited on more than one occasion. You wanna play scolding schoolmarm, knock yourself out, but don’t dictate behavior or presume motives to me, chuckles, when you didn’t understand the reference.


  56. dbadass says:

    Like I said do your thing. My thing is just a little different. I have no need to play anything nor dictate anything. We are all judged by others yet rationalized by only ourselves…


  57. hanshiro says:

    61. dbadass Says: Like I said do your thing. My thing is just a little different. I have no need to play anything nor dictate anything. We are all judged by others yet rationalized by only ourselves…

    Then don’t presume to dictate manners.


  58. dbadass says:

    hanshiro
    I haven’t. Seems like some other folks have been keeping themselves busy with stuff like that though. I assume that if you are comfortable with your thing and I mine we can get back to them. I can assure you that I know the correct spelling of hanshiro and I thank you for spelling dbadass correctly


  59. Chowda says:

    So much hate, bigotry, name calling and general ignorance here.
    Gee is this an orwell Ministry of Correct and Approved Information? It appears it is. Noted something and did a quick check.

    Looks like this site is nothing more than yet another soros funded site of DISinformation and outright lies.

    Was it that progressive lennin or trotsky that called their mindless parrots “useful idiots”? Whoever, but ya’ll get it…and are it.

    On the bright side, eventually you’ll grow out of this cult phase.


  60. dick gozinya says:

    Kind of ironic that Kennedy wants to be a part of something related to driving off the road.

    You would think he would want to stay away from such subjects since he’s so close to death and pulling this off.



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