Much of the criticism of President Barack Obama and attempts to delegitimise his presidency has to do with race, writes Maureen Dowd. Senator Joe Wilson yelling “You lie!” during Obama’s healthcare speech is just further proof.
Obama’s healthcare speech
Rove: Obama asks Democrats to take a gamble
Barack Obama is asking red-state Democrats to take a huge gamble by supporting his health care reforms, which are strongly opposed by many of their constituents, says Karl Rove.
The strangest reactions to Obama’s speech
Mara Gay wraps the weirdest responses to Obama’s healthcare speech, from “My ears rang with the joy of a small child on Christmas morning” to a call for more Power Point.
Chait: Nice speech… not that it matters
Obama gave a lovely speech, but a speech is hardly going to influence the views of most senators, says Jonathan Chait.
Shapiro: Obama gives best speech yet
Obama’s address to Congress on health care reform was his greatest speech yet since his 2004 Democratic Convention keynote address, says Walter Shapiro — though that still may not be enough to save his plan.
Klein: Improvement, not change
Obama’s pitch to Congress was not for sweeping change to health care, but by angling for smaller-scale improvements to the current system, he may actually have a chance of getting them passed, says Ezra Klein.
Did Obama save health care?
US President Barack Obama gave his all-important health care reform speech to Congress yesterday. Was his speech stirring enough to win over the house? The Daily Beast’s panel of pundits weigh in.
Obama moves from candidate to president
Obama’s health care speech today was about more than health reform, it was also a bid for legitimising his presidency and proving he has the authority to govern. Can he bring about the health care change his campaign promised? Check out his health reform plans here.
Obama’s make or break health care speech 
Liveblog: Obama addresses Congress on health care
According to Fox News, Obama has done 28 speeches on health care. But tonight’s speech to a joint session of Congress is make or break for his health reform plans (not to mention his presidency). Politico is also liveblogging with a slightly straighter take on the speech. Watch it live here.
