The Washington Free Beacon's Ellison Barber called President Obama's recent Obamacare enrollment claims "spin at best" Friday during her appearance on The Real Story.
Obama told Democratic governors Thursday night that nearly 4 million have enrolled so far on the exchanges and close to 7 million Americans have access to health care for the first time due to Medicaid expansion.
"He said almost 4 million people have enrolled so far," Barber said. "That number is 3.3 million, so I would say that's kind of rounding up on the high end. I think it has to be 3.5 before you can round up to the next number. The enrollment number is closer to 3 million. That's kind of the first problem. The other issue is going to be the number he gave for how many people have been able to get health insurance because of the Medicaid expansion. That's 7 million. That I would say that's spin at best and probably a little bit inaccurate."
Barber also spoke about Sen. Joe Manchin's (D., W.V.) alleged statement about wanting to repeal Obamacare. Manchin has since backtracked from those comments, saying he wants to get the law fixed, but Barber said remarks like those could be trouble for vulnerable Senate Democrats seeking re-election where Obamacare is unpopular.
"He's not up for election right now, but since he is one of those red-state more conservative-leaning Democrats, what he says would impact the races that are going in other states like Kay Hagan (in North Carolina), Senator (Mary) Landrieu (in Louisiana)," Barber said. "It would put them in a tough position to come out and say something. I think it probably still will because he's already said these, so I think he's trying to backtrack now because he realizes, or someone said, you're putting these guys in a tough position. Let's not say that right now."