President Obama Faces ‘Scare Tactics’ Head-On

VIA WASHINGTON POST:

PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Aug. 11 — President Obama began a personal effort Tuesday to reclaim momentum for his health-care initiative with a direct rebuttal of what he called “scare tactics,” rumors and misrepresentations.

Senior adviser David Axelrod said the president had for weeks been “relishing” the opportunity to engage with people to defend his efforts to overhaul the health-care system.

“His instinct whenever there is controversy or debate is to wade in and speak directly to people,” Axelrod said. “There is a whole lot of misinformation out there. The best way to deal with it is directly.”

He said the angry crowds at congressional town hall meetings do not reflect the larger society.

“Most Americans are interested and concerned about this issue and are listening intently,” he said. “There are people on all sides of the debate who are a little over the edge. They tend to be the best TV.”

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