Congress Drags Feet on Health-Care Reform
PHILLIPS: The president is on the road, on the airways and online trying to sell us on his health care overhaul. But, is there such a things as an Obama overdose? Carol Costello reports on the possible backlash from the White House's health care blitz.</s>CAROL COSTELLO (on camera): Kyra, TV networks were slow to say yes to another prime time news conference. And that is your hint. The president's popularity is not a given along with polls that show the same thing. Still, the president is using his still strong popularity to talk to you as often possible. Well, critics say that's the long thing to do. (voice-over): Can you say ubiquitous.</s>BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good evening --</s>COSTELLO: The pressers, the exclusives, the burgers, the dog, the kids, the date nights and the mom genes. Even some of the president's supporters say, enough podest (ph)</s>TV. BILL MAHER, COMEDIAN: You don't have to be on television every day of every year. You're the president, not a rerun of "Law and Order."</s>OBAMA: On health insurance reform --</s>COSTELLO: If you Wednesday's appearance, President Obama has made remarks on health care nearly every day since June 13th. Yet, the latest CNN Poll of Polls shows only 47 percent approve of the way Mr. Obama is handling health care. Some say that number is relatively low because the president is talking so much, he's diluting the message. Others say that number shows the Obama-thon is working, considering what the president's selling.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's keeping people calm and he's reassuring people that he's in control.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's ridiculous to talk about being overexposed. He's underexposed and no matter how much he tries, he'll still be underexposed.</s>COSTELLO: Still, there are recent signs TV viewers are losing interest. The president's first prime time appearance drew 49.5 million. His second, 52.4 million. His third attracted 40.4 million viewers. His fourth, 28.8.</s>MAHER: What he needs in his personality is a little George Bush.</s>COSTELLO: As in way less TV. President Bush did far fewer primetime speeches. Maher says President Obama ought to stop talking and work on coming up with a way to pay for health care reform.</s>MAHER: He needs to stop worrying about being loved and bring out that smug insufferable swagger that says, suck on it America.</s>COSTELLO: And while this president is not exactly doing that, officials say Mr. Obama will be taking a more "hands on" approach with members of Congress in the days and weeks to come regarding the health care debate.</s>COSTELLO: And the president does plan work sessions with Congress to push health care reform and today he hit the road to rally public support for health care. With him, ABC's Terry Moran. He'll tape a "A Day in the Life of the President" for "Nightline" -- Kyra.</s>PHILLIPS: Carol Costello, thanks so much. The president's town hall on health care is set to get underway in just few minutes in Shaker Heights, Ohio. We're going to bring that to you live so stay with us. We're just getting started here in the NEWSROOM.