(December 5, 2009 - Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images North America)
President Obama paid a rare visit to lawmakers Sunday in an attempt to rally the troops to bring a healthcare bill to his desk before the end of the year. The stop was brief, lasting only about an hour, but his message was clear, get me a bill. In the video below, you can hear Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s lack of enthusiasm to grant the President’s request. He said that when the debate began, the goal was to draft a bill that at least 80 senators could sign on to. At the current hour, it would be a stretch to assume that there were even enough votes to break filibuster.
Mr. Obama offered a “Hey, guys, good to see you” greeting to the Capitol press corps but otherwise did not say anything as he walked briskly into the Mansfield Room, where Democrats hold their weekly party luncheon.
The Sunday session is unusual. Democrats remain divided over some important issues in the health care bill, and Mr. Obama was expected to urge them to band together to finish the legislation.
