Our President made this happen.
A month ago, we were looking at the collapse of health care. Scott Brown had just defeated Martha Coakley in the special Senatorial election in Massachusetts. The Republicans were filled with glee and glitter. They were talking about taking the Senate and House in November. The tea baggers were in full celebration mode. They were giddily predicting the end of health care, the resurgence of the Conservative Movement, and the end of the Obama Presidency, with the defeat of his signature initiative.
And then the President spoke.
He was calm. He was reassuring. With a note of defiance, he loudly proclaimed that "we will not back down from the goals the American people sent us here to achieve". He said that Health Care would pass! And he set out to campaign for its passage. In towns and cities across America, he took off his jacket and proclaimed, "its getting warm in here". And then he delivered.
We heard the booming voice that calmed and reassured us during the campaign. He spoke of the lies, and then spoke the truth. America liked what was in the bill. The bill would save lives. The government would not take over healthcare. We can not afford to continue the path we are now on. Insurance companies cannot be allowed to rescind care based on illness. And they cannot be allowed to refuse care based on pre-existing conditions.
And yes, Granny would not meet before a death panel.
And the polls began to change. And Nancy and Harry went to work on finalizing a reconciliation package. And one by one, Democratic members of Congress came home to support Health Care Reform.
Thank you President Obama. You led when we needed you to lead. You closed the deal, when the hour was at hand. You calmed the nation, when the seeds of fear were sprouting.
And you delivered what many Presidents have tried since Teddy Roosevelt first embarked on Health Care Reform over 100 years ago.
This is monumental for our Party, for your Presidency, and for our nation.
From your faithful, we thank you Mr. President, from the bottom of our hearts.