Saving his harshest rhetoric for the insurance industry, Obama began his latest attempt to pass his 10-year, $950 billion measure by declaring, "The issue here is not the politics of it."

It was a reference to Republicans' threats to work against any vulnerable Democrats who support the bill, which has put passage in doubt. Obama is trying to win over centrist Democrats, including at least five here in Pennsylvania.

"It's hard for some members of Congress to make this vote. There's no doubt about that," Obama said. In contrast, he said, "What's hard is what millions of families and small businesses are going through because we allow the insurance industry to run wild in this country."

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