By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN,Politico
Obama sternly says don’t bet against me
After a tough week on health care reform,President Barack Obama used a hastily convened White House appearance Friday to press Congress to step up the pace,saying once again that “now is the not the time to slow down.”
Obama also tried to quiet naysayers with a bold prediction that he would sign a bill by year’s end,despite the frequent setbacks.
“That is why those who are betting against this happening this year are badly mistaken,"Obama said. "We are going to get this done. We will reform health care. It will happen this year. I’m absolutely convinced of that.”
At the same time,Obama did not reiterate his August deadline for the House and Senate to pass bills – amid growing signs in the Senate that goal is simply out of reach.
But Obama was stern about his insistence that any legislation he signs must rein in health care costs – a direct rebuttal to comments this week from Congressional Budget Director Doug Elmendorf that the House and Senate health committee bills could add to the federal deficit instead of reducing it.