Hearing what you want to say . . .

This will be a quick rant. But how do you explain these contradictory claims made by reporters working for two esteemed newspapers, supposedly sitting in the same press conference?

"The president said he looked forward to the bipartisan health care session on Feb. 25, an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to sit down together – in a televised session – and share ideas on health care. He said he would be willing to start from scratch, but only if the goals of the legislation remained the same." - From The New York Times

"President Obama on Tuesday said he is open to working with Republicans on a health care reform deal but said he is unwilling to start the legislative process over from scratch, instead arguing that on health care and much of his agenda the GOP minority is going to have to accept some ideas it does not like." - From The Washington Times

Sounds like a case of selective listening to me - which is why I always read several newspapers - one on the right, The Washington Times, one on the left, The New York Times, and one in the middle, The Christian Science Monitor. At least the latter two tend to be well-written.

As to whether or not President Obama is willing to start health care legislation from scratch, I suggest you consult a foreign newspaper. Let's hope Liechtenstein sent a reporter to the press conference.

P.S. In case you are left with any doubt of how each newspaper wants to portray the President, compare the two images attached to the articles. A classic case of visual rhetoric.