On Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:50:47 -0500, Vic Smith wrote:


Huge mistake by Obama not insisting on that. Undermines his
credibility.

Maybe, but it's too early to say with certainty. I see this plan as
pretty mild, trying to get something passed without stepping on too may
toes, trying to get a consensus. That doesn't seem to be working.
Perhaps, he should have gone all-in and gone for a true single player
plan, screw the health insurers, screw the pharmaceuticals, and made the
choice much clearer.

The Republicans are also not without risk in this. Sure, if they kill
this plan, they damage Obama, but that will leave us without *any* health
care reform. Something, the majority of Americans want. Come the next
election, without any reform, would you rather be Obama who tried, or the
Republicans, the party of no? I could be wrong, but I don't see
Republicans winning on this. Americans have short political memories,
but our health care situation will remain a reminder.