Click to view image: '42e7e25b8320-001.jpg'' if it makes me a one-term president, I'm going to,uh,umm we're going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on uh,uh.'
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Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-Des Moines, Iowa) held a town hall meeting in Sigourney this afternoon. Despite one group's ad which "thanks Boswell for his support" of health care reform, Boswell told the crowd he may vote against it.

"We haven't seen the final (bill) and you know it's very likely, it's very possible -- I'm not going to say 'likely' because I want this to move forward -- it's very possible it could be something I can't vote for," Boswell told the crowd in Sigourney. "But we have got several places, miles to go yet and the process is going on. I think it's something we ought to do because if you want coverage that you can't afford or see people what is happening to our economy, if we do nothing and stay where we're at, it's just simply not working."

Earlier, a man in the crowd had asked Boswell for a yes or no answer on whether he'd support any of the three bills which have cleared House committees.

"I can't answer that because we don't have a bill," Boswell said.

Some in the audience expressed their disbelief and Boswell said: "No, no, no, no, no, no, no" to quiet the crowd.

Then, Boswell continued: "We've got three drafts and they've got to be melded together...and when that's done, then you ask me a question and I'll give you your answer."

During a brief question-and-answer session with reporters after the event, Boswell recounted a recent meeting involving Obama and the so-called "Blue Dog Democrats" (Boswell's a Blue Dog). The subject matter: health care reform. Boswell claims Obama said he's willing to be a one-term president if that's what it takes to get health care and energy reform. Listen to Boswell's remarks.

"The president (said), 'I'm not going to kick the can down the road.' And he said that and I said, 'Well, that's something I'm kind of used to from southern Iowa, you know. I know about kicking the can down the road.' And he said, 'No, if it makes me a one-term president, I'm going to, we're going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on.' I respected that very much."

UPDATE: Boswell also gave the audience in Sigourney a very detailed explanation of his grandson's medical condition. As you may recall, Boswell canceled his public events on Wednesday because the young man, Boswell's grandson, had suffered a "serious injury." No other details were provided.

Boswell said Thursday he was a "little bit weary" because he'd been to Kansas City, Missouri, to visit his grandson in the hospital. "It was a work out accident and (he) ruptured his pancreas and I had no idea how serious this could be...Nothing can enter his stomach for a long, long time. I'm talking about months. He's going to be fed off an I.V...The doctors were just amazed by how well he's doing, but right now, I'm feeling pretty good."

Boswell's voice cracked a bit on that last sentence. A few seconds later Boswell told the crowd: "My voice is a little cracked because I'm just tired."