Obama does 'work day' with nurse

Ok Obama you are a nice person here and you got me because my mother is a retired nurse herself and I undrstand what nurses are going through.But your economic plan still don't convince me and in saying that there is still a lot of time left for you to choose a very very reliable know how economic expert even if you come to the point of reaching over to a Republican to be your VP like Romney because he will do no wrong for you. If your theme is CHANGE then take my advice and not your left wing advisers or you will perceive as the same old liberal democrat.

I have been a nurse for 40 years and never did an administrator or politician care about the day to day duties. I applaud you for your first and hopefully not last foray into the medical field

Sen Obama I applaud you for taking an active part in the day of a nurse. I am a nurse and I work 12hr shifts, most of the time I do at least 4 a week to make ends meet. Please put a plan in place to make life a little less stressful for the hard working underpaid nurse.

Dear President Obama,

I am a registered nurse myself and I could not help notice a very important observation that you have made: preventive measures. It is funny because as I was looking into your health plan it crossed my mind that the only way it is gone to be real and possible is only through preventive medecine. To do that you are gone to need us nurses. That is the only way you can make it affordable. Now the question is: what do you plan to do to address this chronic nursing shortage? will there be a grant available to help nurses go back to school and teach. What is the game plan. No matter what you got my vote.

Frankly, it shouldn't matter what label people may use to describe Obama's VP pick. I have faith that Obama knows what's best for his campaign and soon the country. I have very strong doubts about Romney. Besides being pompous and unelectable (read: flip flop tendencies would be pounced upon by McCain and GOP), he is a businessman. George W. Bush was a businessman before coming to the White House and we've all seen how that has worked out. We need someone who makes decisions based on the welfare of the nation using compassion, not binders and pie charts. Obama graduated with a degree in International Relations from Columbia and has experience as a Civil Rights lawyer. This is the kind of person we need in the White House. A military veteran should balance out the ticket well because despite the polls and pundits the Iraq War IS the NUMBER 1 issue that needs to be talked about. People are not dying because the economy is in poor shape.

Thanks Senator Obama for going with a nurse as she made her rounds. You saw for yourself what major responsibilities a nurse has. She had 5 five patients in her care for a twelve hour shift. As a retired nurse, I have always wondered why people would question her salary. No amount of money can compensate for the care and dedication nurses give their patients every day. They did not become nurses for money, but to take care of people. Please overhaul the healthcare system so nurses can give their best care to their patients and give access to all people who need their help.

Well - it's definitely a politician's thing to do....but nevertheless great job Barack! It's great that you are doing things like this. Excellent strategy.

Hey skmj, how many republican candidates have walked a mile in a worker shoes? That takes real guts and no he will not take Romney as his v.p. to get your vote. I will not barter with Obama for mine and thousands of others vote because we believe that he is the best candidate for the job.

No disrespect to John McCain but he has been in Washington to long and look what has happened. George and Dick are about to be impeached (finally) and Carl will be behind bars.

Obama '08!

After reading Audacity of Hope Barack does not need to prove himself to me. I am glued to him. He recognizes the struggle of the working people, his roots and background proves to me that hard work and dedication pays off.

I'd rather chance his economic than McCain's anyday. What McCain will do is deceive the American people for their vote and than go back to the Bush policy if elected, never did trust him and won't start trusting him now.

I trust that Barack will put people first. I strongly believe that.

WOW a whole 90 mins! Whoa! Nurses work longer than 90 mins a day. Are you telling me that in 90 mins he was able to bring his campaign down to earth and connect with real people? It takes longer than 90 mins with most patients to "connect". Maybe staying with the nurse for 3 12 hour shifts in a row, and assisting in the changing of bedpans, dealing with families and the dying would have connected him.
Wake up America!

Hi skmj,

Have you actually read Obama's economic plan? Giving a tax cut to the middle class and closing corporate tax loopholes to pay for it is not "liberal", it's common sense. Removing the salary cap on Social Security tax doesn't make one cent of difference to most people, only those making more than $97,000 a year. Why should rich people stop paying SS tax when they hit $97K?

His plan actually makes so much sense to normal Americans, I was surprised that no one else in D.C. had thought of it first. Billionaire Romney would never have thought of it, that's for sure.

Obama is a good person for the job. And if you are worried about his economic plans, you might take solice in the thoughtful, planned way he ran his whole campaign. This is not a knee jerk liberal man. Obama is a very intelligent, thoughtful, discerning person, who thinks long-term. This is very unlike the present administration. I find it incredible that people would be afraid of a Democrat after this current conservative republican's administration has repeatedly made economic gaffs and run our economy into the ground. Republicans want you to believe that "conservatives" save you money, but it ain't so. Not unless you are already rich.

HAPPY TO KNOW THAT BARACK CARES ABOUT EVERYDAY PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND OTHERS JUST HOPING TO MAKE IT THROUGH LIFE EACH DAY.

Senator Barack Obama, well known and very much at home with grassroots campaign and mobilization, is surely on the right track, empathizing with health facility personnel and their patients. this is one of the single most important sector that affects peopel's life. It'll surely make a huge impact if he continues his outings this way. His wanting to know more about health services delivery is highly commendable and raises great hope for hardworking Americans.

Shadowing a nurse is one helpful way to see first hand some of the changes that need to take place in health care. Talking to the patients and staff rather than hospital administrators and policy writers will help to make policy more realistic.

I laugh when I hear about Republicans questioning Obama's economic plan. During the Republican debate it at the Regan library it was John McCain who flatly admitted that he knew very little about the economy and that he could hire managers to take care of that! Are you serious? This is your nominee, who admits to knowing next to nothing about 1 of the top 2 pressing issues of the election. I am about as liberal as you get and as all I have to say is thank you republicans for nominating someone so out of touch with America! I was worried that Obama might run into stiff resistance against someone like Mitt Romney. McCain is so out of touch, this nation cannot afford 4 more years of John “George Bush” McCain.

Obama really cares about ALL Americans!! Obama on )*

I'm sure some people will dismiss this as a stunt, but the best way to learn is firsthand, and Obama's site visit can help with that. He should do similar visits in many different fields.

If there is ever a better time to CHANGE Washington for the better future of all people it is now if Barrack Obama is seriously heading that way.And that's why I suggest reaching over to the other side for a Vice President and start a process of do away with Party politics that is not working very well for the benefit of every individual people.If CHANGE is what the majority of America need then it is time to cut party politics instead lets all be one people and do the right thing because this theme of CHANGE means a little or nothing at all if Party politics still exist.The way I look at the country right now instead of one nation under God it's two nation(divided America) under God.An intelligent leader will consider this plan for uniting the country and avoiding future turmoils among generation to come.

Great person, great work, great ideas. This is certainly a new path in politics. It is what America will benefit from - and the whole world will benefit from. This guy really cares, with his whole person. Sometimes history offers big opportunities - dear American friends, grap it. There might be no such opportunity again. Kind regards from a German physicist.

It scares me that someone so ignorant about healthcare to ask the ridiculous questions he asked is going to be able to overhaul the current healthcare system. I think he needs to make HRC the VP and put her in charge of the healthcare plan.

Thank you so much Senator Obama for trying to connect with regular folks like us nurses. Your willingness to wanting to obtain some insight about what nurses do speaks volume. I pray that the Lord will continue to grant you with knowledge and wisdom to overhaul the healthcare system to facilitate better salary for nurses. As it is right now, nurses are not being compensated in proportion to what they do.

renae can you pay your rent an gas bill if you can then vote for mccain look at what happen in america take your blinders off.

jettaasia

Thank you Sen. Obama for spending some time with a nurse. It's not easy to take a look at what we do during our work day. After a full shift, many of us go home to family duties as well. We are hard working men and women who are often asked to work an extra shift or on their day off. We need to train more nurses and retain the ones we have. I believe you understand what's happening across America.
I want you to be our president. I promise to help.

Thanks again!
Rebecca

Renae get real! Unless you yourself know every profession and have been involved in every career and have worked in every day to day job you shouldn't be judging Senator Obama. When was the last time you saw McCain walk in another persons shoes? Darn, when was the last time you did? Let go of your "ignorance."

This is the only way to get some understanding of the roblems people face in their jobs, not just nurses but every blue collar worker. Good job Obama, keep in touch with the regular workers and learn about their problems so you can start fixing things that are not right.

I'ld like to see McCain do this but I guess he is seeing nurses on a regular basis as a patient so he probably thinks that qualifies for the same thing...

There is something about Senator Obama's campaign that is truly exciting and motivating. A comment "above" mentions how thoughtful Barack Obama is...I noticed almost immediately, at the beginning of the campaign, that Senator Obama seems to be listening, thinking, and then responding...how refreshing!!
I do not recommend a Ross Perot lecture, with graphs et.al., to explain the economy but some rudimentary explanations are in order. For example, there are people who believe the Social Security "cap" means that their payments would be capped...please educate the public about this misconception and others, including the health care plan. I have been a nurse for 45 years...and applaud Senator Obama's approach to learning about health care...from the "care" part and up from there!! I believe he could appreciate how hard, and compassionarely, we work in 90 minutes...it would be obvious after 9 minutes!!! I hope Barack Obama visits other workplaces as well. He has my vote, he had me from "hello", and I am spreading the word!!

Renae,
I feel that most of the questions were small talk made by our Harvard graduate presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, probably with the intent of somehow asking the average viewer's questions. Hospital personnel are trained to read patient monitors; presidents don't have to. He'll have a plethora (know what that word means?) of economists and healthcare specialists to advise him during his tenure as president.

Thanks Obama for spending the time. Actually, I saw a video of him do the same before.

NICE!!!

This is far more than George Bush ever did in his eight years...and to date far more impressive and in touch with the average American than John McCain has come in his campaign. Senator Obama, you don't have to impress me any more, you are the next President. This is a man who means business!

I was very ill in the hospital in November of 2006 (election day) with surgery, intensive care, a week in the hospital... all that. I applaud every single nurse who took care of me so well. For Barack to go and walk with one very lucky nurse, makes me respect him that much more. I thought his comments were funny and yet insightful. Actually - if he had walked in my room I would have been better instantly! At least I would have more hope! People need to trust this man - he is always thinking ahead and he will form an excellent cabinet that will help him make his promises real. If only the MSM would shut up and start being positive and respectful of our nominee. I'm better now - but I will never forget the nurses!
Thank you to all nurses everywhere - and to Sen. Obama for being part of their day.

I agree with the individual saying "Wow, a whole 90 minutes"! Everyone here who is lauding Obama for his perfect solutions needs to realize that anyone can talk about change or shadow a worker - but are we all really that out of touch that we believe a first term senator can go to Washington and wave a wand and fix all of our problems? Obama is full of his own rhetoric and frankly needs a lesson in humility. And, I would love to see how all of his supporters are doing in a year from now when he doesn't accomplish all that he said he would, the media will bash him and we will then have to sit through 3 years with God knows how many of his mistakes. Heaven help us if we elect this inexperienced fraud to the White House.

As a nurse for 30 years, I am proud to know that my candidate is attempting to include us in his economic and health care plans. One other time I saw a politician come into a hospital to look around. It was Trent Lott, who is from my home town, and the time was 31 years ago while I was a student nurse. He came to see how much money he needed to drum up in federal aid for the hospital's expansion!
Some months ago I emailed Barack's campaign to invite him to the HIV clinic that I work in in Nashville. I hope he will do so, as he will see the cost of treating the whole person who is infected and learn that HIV is not a "gay" disease.

I commend Senator Obama for taking the time out of his busy schedule to get a hands on view of what it's like for everyday working people. As an American citizen born and bred I had become throughly disgusted with politics and stopped voting altogether! Barack Obama has restored my faith and I will be at the polls bright and early to cast my vote for him come November!!

Senator Obama, I have been a nurse for 23 years, all in a hospital setting. Knowing that you took time to shadow with a nurse made my heart skip a beat! I wish I had the pleasure of having you shadow with me. Maybe when you win the general election in November, nurses will finally be recognized for what they do in their career, which is "saving lives". Thanks for recognizing our overworked, underpaid profession. You have definitely got my vote! I sport a nice bumper sticker on my Jeep that says, "Nurses for Obama '08"
Go Obama, '08!!!

Obama is a man who truly speaks from the heart. I consider myself a conservative, but have endured enough hardship the last 8 years to set aside my differences with some of Barack's views, to see what wonderful things he has to offer our ailing country. I get so angry when more evidence of our current government's neglect and abuse of power surfaces each day, and I pray that he will be the one to fix this problem. It's funny that people wish to separate politics from religion, but it seems these days more than ever I am praying for our politicians.

Dear President Obama,
I have been a nurse for 20 years and I applaud your action of going out and spending a day with a nurse in the hospital setting. We really do juggle a lot every day and with every patient. Your action speaks louder than anything the Republicans have done. I think that I have just about turned everyone on my unit into an "Obamacan" by now and we look forward to your victory and implimentation of change as soon as you take office. YES WE CAN!!!! You Go!!

I am shocked to see that so many of you think that he did something in 90mins. I understand the views that it was a nice gesture, but just spending 90mins following a nurse does not give you a BIG picture when it comes to healthcare, the over worked under staffed nurses. The patient is the one who is short changed, due to lack of funds, old equipment, lack of staff, over priced billing, I feel that the comments he made sounded stupid, he ask about the food? What about asking about the endless job that case managers have trying to find placement for patients that don't have healthcare? Since they don't have healthcare many patients don't get rehab or have to go home to familes who don't have a clue of how to take care of them or the money or time to take care of them. Elderly abuse and neglect is huge in this country! We shove out GP and Parents into homes and forget about them. The Nursing homes take all of their SS and even their homes if they cannot pay. What is he going to do about that? Or asking about the huge stress that goes into working 12-14 hours days with limited staff and very heavy work load? And what is he going to do about it?
I do think that it was a nice gesture to visit a hospital and follow a nurse, but the article made him look stuipid. Yes I know that he is not a nurse or a health care professional, but if he is going to Run this country one day, he might want to rethink the areas that he visits. Maybe stay with something he knows. I am not sure how this 90min walk throught makes him more in touch with the public. In fact, I wonder how they got around the HIPPA law regarding showing patients medical records? I sure hope that the people named consented to this.
I will need to see more from him before I make up my mind to vote for him.

Thanks
C.

Have a daughter, RN, BSN working from 7P to 7A in Oncology Unit in Philly TJU Hospital. Still paying dearly for student loans. Can we talk about 'hard working' middle class, dedicated, people? Can't save enough to own a home because of this.

I am so happy that our future President, is right in there with us and seeing the plight of the people, and not ignoring the struggles we are having to endure.

For my family, and friends who are trying to make it...THANK YOU OBAMA!

Thank you Sen Obama for experiencing nursing...I am an ER/Trauma Nurse...this past week I worked NINE 12 hour shifts in a row....(two kids in college, one school age child, etc etc...)
Think about us as you make your way to the White House!
You are amazing and I am behind you 100%...now 110% after your big pat on the back to Nurses...

Thank you!
Karen
P.S....I really like the sound of Obama/Kennedy 08!! :)

Thanks Senator Obama for all the changes you are bringing to America. Fellow citizens, this is an opportunity of a life time and we all need to rally behind this man for the sake of reclaiming our country from the McCain-Bush-Cheeney failed policies and propaganda.

Go Senator Obama, we are behind you all the way to the White House. You are going to become our POTUS. May the good Lord protect and bless you through this period!

Dear Americans,

Simply elect Obama president and you will feel God's blessing pouring upon you. The fact that he is already blessed with good ideas, strength, energy and commitment to lead America to the greenest pastures in history is ample proof of this.

I was so blown away reading about our future president, volunteering as a nurse in a hospital. There is just one word for this: Awesome!

wow thanks senator Obama.

skmj..Ok Obama you are a nice person here and you got me because my mother is a retired nurse herself and I undrstand what nurses are going through.But your economic plan still don't convince me

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS
Here's how the average tax bill could change in 2009 if either John McCain's or Barack Obama's tax proposals were fully in place.
MCCAIN OBAMA
Income Avg. tax bill Avg. tax bill
Over $2.9M -$269,364 +$701,885
$603K and up -$45,361 +$115,974
$227K-$603K -$7,871 +$12
$161K-$227K -$4,380 -$2,789
$112K-$161K -$2,614 -$2,204
$66K-$112K -$1,009 -$1,290
$38K-$66K -$319 -$1,042
$19K-$38K -$113 -$892
Under $19K -$19 -$567

Source:The Tax Policy Center

Dear senator Obama, thank you for shadowing a nurse for a day, eventhough I a a bit biased and would have preferred you shadow a Labor & delivery Nurse, I am extremely grateful you did shadow a nurse.

as far as women voters are concerned you will get a lot of that from our profession, we this profession is female dominated.. Do not forget us in your completed health care policy.

Labor and Delivery Nurse who have always been a proud supporter of the movement of change and

now is a Proud supporter of President Obama

Dear Barack: You can thank your lucky stars you didn't have to chase after me on a shift. I am retired, but recall times when I pinch-hit for nurses who were unable to make a shift. I have had a 17 patient wing in the hospital, and part of another, and recall having 22 patients for total bed care in a long term care faciltiy. What if you had joined me on a shift that necessitated my working an additional half shift when the first one was up? Determined to continue a performance of asepsis and perfection, I have left work at night or early morning soaked with sweat and walking on air with exhiliration! I have had charge of the care of those dying and conscious and the privilege of sharing their last moments.

It is truly wonderful that you are so aware of the fact that there are some of us doing the grass roots level of work to the very best of our ability that your vision for our future requires. Hopefully most of us are aware that as hard as we work, we wouldn't begin to be able to fill your shoes or know top from bottom in what one faces as the President of this great country. Thanks for taking our hand in yours, and know there are some of us, myself included who truly love and trust you.
YES WE CAN! Nora

sure Obama you are the right person, may God guides you.

Wow, I'm shocked by some of your completely NASTY responses! I am a voting DEMOCRAT who SUPPORTS Obama. However, I am also a doctorate student in a health care profession (So yes--I do know what 'plethora' means---to the snide elitist who posted!) and as a healthcare provider it does concern me that he doesn't seem to really know what's going on inside healthcare. I know that Hillary has lots more knowledge and experience in this area, and was merely suggesting that we let the person with the most knowledge and experience address the issue of healthcare. To suggest that I am stupid, ignorant, or have blinders on for expressing my opinion is short-sighted and narrow-minded. If you insist on being so short-sighted and narrow-minded, then perhaps all of you who insulted me would be happier supporting McCAIN!!

What percentage of the healthcare cost comes from the price of drugs?

The example of $1,500 per shot shows how outrageous the pharmaceutical companies might be gaining in disguised subventions from any public healthcare system.

Talking about change, would it not be great to better control those huge and profitable organizations?

Besides that, millions of thanks to Senator Obama

Obama,
I am an ER nurse. I wish you would shadow one of us for 12 hours. You would see the "real America". Most of those that come in are in the ER because they have 0 health care and use us for a "Doctor's Office'. They are tooth aches and back pain. 99.9% non emergencies - wasting my time when they should have health care to see a family physician.
This takes away much of the time needed for the real emergencies like heart attacks.
The drug seekers and young people on public assistance blows my mind - what about help for the elderly and middle class??

You don't have my vote - Hilliary did.
Walk a mile in my shoes and you will re-think the entire plan.

To C:
You appear to be a very knowledgeable person of the healthcare profession, therefore, I think you would probably agree that the shadowing that Barack did was not to learn about the innerworkings of the healthcare industry. It was intended to take another look at the nurse and patient care perspective, another way of viewing the impact of policies on care providers (nurses) and patients. Also, I am sure that he asked more substantial questions than the few listed in the article. Ninety minutes is a very long time for just 4 or 5 questions; and lets not forget this is not the first time he has done this. Anyone with mediocre intelligence knows that if you want hard data you go to the chief administrator. A person in his position, with advisors at his fingertips would have no problem getting information.

In my opinion, it was a great gesture to show that he is on the pulse of the healthcare issue and issues affecting hardworking Americans.

Thank you, It's nice to see and listen to someone with common sense for a change. GO OBAMA!!!

Renae, I read the post you referred to and got the same impression. I couldn't agree more with your thoughts. I am not a nurse, but I've been a patient and I know how hard nurses work; I work for a company that deals with investments and I see a lot of nurses' salaries -- they seem completely and unacceptably low for what they have to do. Renae, you showed your quality and class in not responding with medical terminology that would make Angie have to look them up; thank you for representing your profession so professionally... :)

The questions Obama asked were not "stupid"; what does Angie EXPECT him to ask ("so, nurse, what is the dilation factor of the pupils for which a shot of gobbledygook elixir-ophine was administered at 13:45 hours? Should we consider adding another dosage of 34 ccs of peptobismolicide sodium methaneseum ?")? Obama is not a doctor or a nurse; "how's the food" is a thoroughly acceptable question to not put the nurse on the spot medically speaking.

I also know what "plethora" means... and I don't have ANY degrees...

Obama has my vote because I think he WILL remember that 90 minutes. And because I think he is not tied to the hip of the corporate lobbyists and the fat cats of Wall St.

Dear sentor obama i have heard you talk about your health plan and i am very pleased i will not be voting for mccain at any time and all you ladies who think that mccain is going to help you your misstaking,barack obama is the man we need , please imbrace him together and make him the next president of these United States.

Okay-There is something wrong with the picture of Obama visiting a patient with a hole in her heart to be fixed for preventative measurers. Insurance companies including CMS only pay for symptomatic holes in the heart! This patient either had a stroke or was having symptoms of a pending stroke or was having some type of symptoms that warranted surgery. Lets get the record straight. This does not fall into the category of preventative medicine.
As for our Health Care system -we need Americans insurered but also the insurance companies have to reimburse at a reasonable rates. Physicians are dropping insurance contracts like flies and patients are forced to pay cash out of pocket. What good is insurance if you can't see a descent specialist with it? Part of the problem is the game of denying payment for services already rendered. If you want to eliminate a huge financial burden on the health care system -simplify the billing and payment system.
The money is there in healthcare -but very few dollars get to patient care. It is tied up with administration and too many people with there hand in the pie. We need more nurses, doctors and other care providers and less fringe.

I hope he continues to make McCain look like the old man he is, there is no way he would have been able to follow an RN for 90 minutes. Senator Obama will make a great president with the gravity and common sense to relate to all Americans not just rich one like the GOP, while at the same time playing to the fears of working class Americans. This teacher is voting for Senator Obama.

You are so much better off being on wellfare in this country. I pay $500/month for my insurance at work for our family of four. When you see the Doctor there is a deductible of $350/person/year and a copay of $35/visit. My son broke his arm and that was an additonal for $800 for "not covered by your insurance" charges. When you have insurance you are charged a higher rate than the patient that pays with cash.

No wonder nobody wants to see the doctor as a prevention! I am an RN and our healthcare system needs an overhaul. People on the hospital units are younger and sicker than ever because they can afford prevetion care or their meds. Everyone should be treated equal across the board. If people can not work and get medicaid, I should be able to get it as a working person as well.

I am quite sure that in the 90 minutes Obama spent following that nurse he asked many questions and they talked about many things. The writer of the article chose to include the most simple, unsophisticated questions and my guess is that the author of the article may be ambivalent about his/her support for Obama because the article did make him seem less knowledgeable than we know he is. Anyone who has read either of Obama's books "Dreams from my Father" or Audacity of Hope" know how incredibly articulate and intelligent he is. It's just rediculous for people to conclude that he isn't smart based on this article. Obama's mom died of cancer - he knows what it means to be part of the health care challenge! Appreciate the fact that he is a politician who takes the time to just "be" with people and walk in their shoes. 90 minutes isn't the hours a nurse spends in a day but it was enough time for him to have an experience and for nurses to see and feel that he cares about what is happening in their job.
We are so lucky to have someone with his heart, his vision and his integrity as our next president.

look ladies we all some day would love to see a woman in the white house, But Hillary Clinton did not win we women always say that we can do every thing that a man can do , okay with that said politics are sometimes a dirty game ,and yes i didnt like some the comments that were said about hillary clinton But Barack did not say anything disrespectful to or about hillary and by the way Barack played fair and square and so he won, so ladies before you through your children future away please think about it think hard and long because once you shade mccains name in its going to be to late to change your mine , I will say this a million times Barack Obama is the person to lead this United States of America in a new direction I am going to work my heart out to get as many people out to vote for him because i know that this is a good thing for America. P.S ALL HILLARY SUPPORTORS WE LOVE YOU AND WE WELCOME ABORD.

Look all this talk about barack visiting the hospital , well at least he went, when was the last time mccain went to the hospital to see how any patients were being taking care of ,I tell you he is the one that i wont leading this country into the next century . PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SOUNDS GOOD?

I too am a registered nurse, and I am equally impressed with Senator Obama taking the time to shadow a nurse as she goes about her daily tasks. I'm sure the patients were also impressed and thankful that he cares enough about the healthcare crisis to make visiting the hospital a priority. The American people need a President who is not afraid to walk in their shoes. I applaude you Senator Obama, and I'm looking forward to you residing in the White House!!!

To Linda Lanham,

You may want to check your spelling of Hillary. I don't need to say more.

Senator Obama, well done!

Now I have a rural school for you to visit if you have a mind!

Thanks so much Senator Obama for shadowing a NURSE! I am an Emergency Room RN in the inner city of Birmingham, AL and we see it all. From infected insect bites to awful gunshot wounds to deadly heart attacks and strokes. The one common thread that so many of these patients seem to have in common is waiting to late to go see a doctor because they don't have insurance. I've had MANY tell me that they can't afford to get their prescriptions filled because they don't have insurance or any money. And these are people who have high blood pressure and they come to us because of a severe headache for two or three days and their BP is 245/106--threatening a stroke, coma or kidney damage and don't even know it! Please Senator Obama help us take care of our patients so that they can live longer lives.

P.S. Where can I get some of those Nurses for Obama '08 bumper stickers?

I'm glad to see Barack taking a first hand look at health care delivery.

As a registered nurse for more than 40 years, I know how desparately his healthcare plan is needed by so many uninsured and underinsured Americans.

Along with the war and the economy, healthcare has such a direct impact on the quality of life of so many Americans and their families.

I also live in Massachusetts where Governor Romney tried to do a quick healthcare fix by simply mandating the purchase of health insurance and punishing those who didn't comply. It has been a disaster.

Fortunately, Barack had the good sense not to go the politically expedient route, but rather crafted a plan that will truly make health care affordable for everyone who wants and needs it. (I suspect he had some experienced nurses advising him).

I hope this continues to be a centerpiece of his campaign and a strong demontration of his caring for fellow Americans.

taking some things that are said (by either candidate) on the campaign trail with a grain of salt, I nevertheless applaud Barack Obama for his altruistic ideas, fo his intelligence, and for his rhetorical ability. He will be the kind of President who will remedy a lot of the problems George Bush and his cronies have created over the past 8 years. While he won't be able to cure all of them in one term - George Bush has left far too disastrous a legacy - I am confident that America will be better off with him as the President. He'll have my vote for sure and I wish him and his family the strength and perseverence it takes to make it all the way to the White House. Good luck!

I am also a nurse and I think it's awesome you picked our profession to shadow. I was a supporter prior to your "nursing visit" and I have more respect for you now. I believe you are sincere, responsible in what you say you will do, want to relieve some of the economic hardships from the middle class and a real breath of fresh air in stagnated, smelly politics! Oh, yeah, I agree with Michelle that you are cute...but that's not why I'm voting for you either. :o)

I hope everyone is ready for socialized medicine. If Obama gets elected that is what we will have. Ask patients in Canada if they like waiting two years for an elective surgery. As nurses, are you ready for your salaries to be cut in order to pay for this healthcare system? Be careful that you don't get what you asked for.

I believe that it is very commendable that Obama shadowed a nurse, even for only 90 minutes. As a nurse myself, I know how much goes on in 90 minutes! A day in the life of a nurse is chaotic, you always have to expect the unexpected and 90 minutes can mean a lot to someone who's never been a nurse or involved in health care before. I applaud him for taking time out of his busy schedule to walk some time in the shoes of hard working people. I think that some time spent in other areas could be very beneficial as well, but it's already more than most politicians would take the time to do. I do believe that he cares about the American pepole and for the person who says that he needs some humility...I'm sure he's had plenty in his lifetime...just look at his biography! I was uncertain who I was going to vote for until I looked deeper into Obama's plan and have faith that he can make some changes...as we desperately need change. Also...to the person who said that they can't wait to see how many promises are broken after a year...anyone should know that no HUGE changes can really be made in one short year...a year is simply enough time to finalize plans and prioritize goals...get the ball rolling. It's in the long run that their plans can be implemented and real change can occur. As a young person...I want change that makes my future look brighter and I think Obama is s plans are it!

Sadly, I do have to say that I was dissapointed to find that Obama supported live birth abortion. I'm still hoping it's not true. I am greatly against this as I have so much compassion for new life. However, I don't believe that this is quite enough to sway my vote when our country is in such desperate need of a turn around.

I can't believe so many people are so nimble minded!! I thought it was all fraud that voted him in but now I think half of it was stupidity!
Much of it too was immoral acceptance. I don't care how much anyone acts caring in some fields, when they don't really care if the nurse he followed, had been killed in the womb by the mother's hiring a hit man for babies.