Remarks by the President to the Pool After Morning Session

Q  How is it going, Mr. President?

THE PRESIDENT:  It’s interesting.  I mean, I don’t know if it’s interesting watching it on TV, but it’s interesting being part of it.

Q  Are you making progress?

Q  How is the progress?

THE PRESIDENT:  I think we’re establishing that there are actually some areas of real agreement and we’re starting to focus on what the real disagreements are.  If you look at the issue of how much government should be involved — the argument that Republicans are making really isn’t that this is a government takeover of health care, but rather that we’re insuring the — or we’re regulating the insurance market too much.  And that’s a legitimate philosophical disagreement.  We’ll hopefully be able to explore it a little more in the afternoon.

END