things that are important done for the country? >> this was a unique alignment of the stars for one party, a democratic president, a big majority in the senate, a decent size majority in the house. >> knowing what he faced from the republican opposition, the president who ran as a government outsider surrounded himself with political insiders. >> it was the opportunity to do things that nobody had the political will to do before. >> recall emanuel, an arm twisting deal maker, he had rapidly ascended the democratic leadership in congress, he knew the hill and he knew healthcare. >> there's some value having gone -- been in the clinton white house, saw where it went wrong from the inside. >> emmanuel and obama knew they needed congressional buy-in this time. they decided congress should write the bill. >> i want to make sure i don't get in the way of all of you moving aggressively and rapidly.