White House launches website to battle health reform rumors

The Associated Press: "The White House has turned to its favorite tool — the Internet" to "directly counter what it calls myths" about reform proposals backed by President Obama. The site includes video clips of top administration aides responding to criticisms.

Fox News Politics: "The Web site... uses the same set-up as the 'Fight the Smears' page the Obama campaign maintained last year to battle rumors seen as potentially damaging to his candidacy." Among the specific claims White House aides dispute are assertions that "health care reform will lead to 'rationing'" and "the idea that reform would lead to euthanasia for seniors." Fox notes that it is not clear if these claims are the result of last week's effort "to gather 'fishy' e-mails," which triggered "charges that the administration was gathering information on health care reform critics, something the White House denies." The new site includes a 'We Want to Hear From You' section which urges readers to send in "myths" (8/10). 

Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reports in its Washington Wire that "seeking to combat the negative message on health care coming out of town hall meetings across the nation this August, President Barack Obama's political arm sent an e-mail to supporters over the weekend urging supporters to visit local congressional offices over the break in favor of the health care overhaul" (Davis, 8/10).