Traditional Medicine vs Modern Medicine

President Obama sought to calm jittery Democrats Wednesday as they prepared to head home to face voters, assuring them they're "on the right side of history" despite problems with the launch of his massive health care overhaul and an immigration fight with Republicans. In back-to-back closed sessions with House and Senate Democrats, Obama delivered his broad message about economic prosperity and expanding the middle class. But in return he was confronted with questions from Democrats who are nervous about implementation of the health care law as they look ahead to town hall meetings during the August recess — and to midterm elections next year. In a lighter moment, House Democrats presented Obama with a birthday cake. The White House is seeking to keep up enthusiasm among Democrats following a rough start to Obama's second term. In response, Obama told House Democrats as they head back to their districts that they "are on the right side of these issues and the right side of history in terms of providing health care to Americans and to ultimately finding comprehensive immigration reform," said Rep. Janice Hahn of California. Obama spoke at length about his administration's roll-out plans for the health care exchanges, which could be critical to the health care law's success or failure. Sen. Angus King, an independent from Maine who caucuses with the Democrats, said Obama told senators not to be defensive when discussing the law. King also said there needs to be more emphasis on explaining what the health care law "really means" to Americans because of repeated attempts by House Republicans "to essentially sabotage it and frighten people." Durbin made clear that Democrats had no intention of allowing a repeat of the congressional recess in August 2010 when loud opposition to the Affordable Care Act powered the tea party and propelled the GOP takeover of the House in that year's elections. In the Senate session, Obama declared that he would not negotiate with Republicans on raising the nation's borrowing authority and risk a repeat of the August 2011 budget showdown that rattled financial markets. White House chief of staff Denis McDonough has been holding regular meetings on budget matters with a small group of Senate Republicans and was planning to do so again later Wednesday. Among the GOP lawmakers who meet with him are Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven and Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson. During Obama's meeting with House Democrats, the president was pressed by Rep. Ed Perlmutter of Colorado about his controversial consideration of former aide Lawrence Summers to run the Federal Reserve. Obama strongly defended Summers as a valuable economic adviser, though White House officials said his words should not be seen as an endorsement for the Fed post. "The president of course, as I would and others would, defended Larry's tenure here at the White House and his service to the country and the president in extraordinarily trying financial and economic times," said spokesman Jay Carney. The White House, seeking to lower expectations for an imminent announcement, has said Obama will not name a new Fed chair until the fall. I appreciate the president's responsiveness." Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois said Democrats asked the president for his assistance in next year's midterm elections, traditionally a rough ride for the party controlling the White House. Leaving the meeting, Obama said his message was about "jobs, middle class, growth."