Politico has a story out that is raising the hackles of many groups, while others are just going Huh ? Using they favorite unnamed sources the story goes like this...
Obama is considering detailing his health-care demands in a major speech as soon as next week, when Congress returns from the August recess. And although House leaders have said their members will demand the inclusion of a public insurance option, Obama has no plans to insist on it himself, the officials said.
More on the flipside
On health care, Obama’s willingness to forgo the public option is sure to anger his party’s liberal base. But some administration officials welcome a showdown with liberal lawmakers if they argue they would rather have no health care law than an incremental one. The confrontation would allow Obama to show he is willing to stare down his own party to get things done.
There are several blogs going about this issue including a couple over at FireDogLake, and the best one to me is Greg Sargents at the Plum Line. While some show a edge of panic and worry Gregs piece seems closer to the truth.
So some Obama advisers think there’s a political upside in foregoing the public option, getting the left to scream, then having Obama stand up to the screamers in order to look tough? That’s what Politico is reporting, citing unnamed administration aides.
It’s hard to tell whether this really represents West Wing thinking or whether it’s just Politico writing the story they want to write...
More than once since Politico started up have we watched as one of their storys fell apart. Hopefully this is one of them.
Jane Hamsher is taking a much harder line. She is planning our next move already just in case.
For us, the question becomes: what are we going to do? How much do we care, how hard are we going to push Democrats in the House, elected by solid Democratic majorities, to stand up to this railroading and defend the public option?
There are 55 members in D+10 districts who have not said that they will vote against any bill that does not have a strong public option. For me, sitting by and watching them help to bailout PhRMA and the insurance industry on the backs of the middle class, just when people are struggling to find decent jobs in the midst of a recession, is not an option.
Since none of us know for sure what will be in Pres. Obamas speech yet I'm sure we all have a way we wish he would handle it. Attaturk wrote a piece named "Yeah, we'll see" where I let my fantasy speech as a comment.
My fantasy goes like this,
Obama comes out on stage with the huge smile of his shining bright. He turns and looks around the room like he does, nods to a few he knows and a look crosses his face. He steps to the mike and says... Friends I have been hearing some outrageous bullshit from those wishing for more of the same. When you elected me to office it was because I promised you real change. Real change means that since those on the Right have refused to act in any form of good faith I have thrown out the bills coming from Congress and I propose we now turn to Universal Coverage for all. It is plain that there is no working for middle ground with the Party of No, so why bother anymore. I’m directing my party to put forth a Bill similar to Medicare for All, vote it thru in spite of the obstructionists of change and to bring it to my desk for signing as soon as possible. It is time for action not crazy tales of gov. takeovers and conspiracy. We listened and watched for 8 yrs as the Neocons and other extremists lead our country into the state we find it. Why should we be held back by those who didn’t make a correct decision about anything for 8 yrs or more ?
Obama gives another grin, smiles and says we are going to see a tearing of their clothes, a gnashing of their teeth and many nasty words will be thrown at us. My friends he says, we are going to just brush them off as he does his brush of the dandruff off his shoulders move.... and the crowd goes wild.
How do see Pres. Obams speech, what is your fantasy speech ? How will you work to change things if Obama abandons the Public Option or do you even care ? That is what the comment section is for, to let the staffers read the pulse of the Left. Have at it.