President Obama

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Analyst

Aug. 10, 2009 – President Obama arrived in Mexico Sunday to begin a three-way summit with North American leaders from neighboring Canada and Mexico. But before leaving the U.S. the president warned Americans not to believe “rumors” being circulated about health care reform.

“Let me start by dispelling the outlandish rumors that reform will promote euthanasia, or cut Medicaid, or bring about a government takeover of health care. That’s simply not true,” Obama said in his weekly address.

Members of the Senate will join House members back home this week to answer questions and take the temperature of their constituents on the issue. Some town hall meetings have been met with protestors and there is some suspicion that these protests are being waged with the help of lobbyists hoping to defeat the bill.

It’s not a far-reaching assumption.  Most town hall meetings are for questions and answers – so the fact that people want to protest outside before even going inside is a bit curious.  What could be wrong with asking questions?  

Obama didn’t call out who was behind what he suggested were “organized efforts” to demonize the White House-backed health reform plans. He suggested that the efforts were originating in the capital.

The president also warned Americans of what to expect as efforts continue. “As we draw close to finalizing — and passing — real health insurance reform, the defenders of the status quo and political point-scorers in Washington are growing fiercer in their opposition.

“That is why it is important, especially now, as senators and representatives head home and meet with their constituents, for you, the American people, to have all the fact,” Obama said.

While Congress heads home, the commander-in-chief headed south of the boarder for meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon for talks on issues impacting the Americas. 

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon

This is the president’s second trip to Mexico in four months; you may recall his last visit was during the worldwide outbreak of the H1N1 virus (swine flu).

Calderon and Obama held their first meeting on Sunday.  They discussed the swine flu, the request for aid to combat Mexican drug-trafficking and Mexico’s growing concerns regarding the ban on Mexican trucks north of the boarder.   

Trade  (NAFTA) will also be an issue when Harper joins the talks.  Canadian officials are concerned with the language in the stimulus bill that encouraged “Buy American” when spending from the $787 billion economic stimulus program.  Canadian companies fear this could send the wrong signal and shut Canadian companies out.  That alone could place stress on trade relations between the U.S. and Canada.

Obama and Congress have a busy week ahead.