President Obama unveils the Dem strategy for the midterms, and it comes down to Do you really want to go back to what you had for health care?
If Republicans want to campaign against what we've done by standing up for the status quo and for insurance companies over American families and businesses, that is a fight I want to have. (Applause.) If their best idea is to return to the bad policies and the bad ideas of yesterday, they are going to lose that argument. What are they going to say? "Well, you know, the old system really worked well; let's go back to the way it was"?
He may be correct that
{O}nce we get this done, once we saw this law -- sign this bill into law. The American people will suddenly learn that this bill does things they like and doesn't do things that people have been trying to say it does. Their worst fears will prove groundless, and the American people's hope for a fair shake from their insurance companies for quality, affordable health care they need will finally be realized.
But how will they learn that in time for the midterms if many of the potentially positive reform provisions don't happen for years yet, like the Exchange, which only comes into effect in 2013, or closing the donut hole, which only happens by 2019?
Majorities of voters don't like this bill - maybe because they don't like the mandate, maybe because it doesn't go far enough, maybe because they're just in a sour mood with the bad economy. That leaves a huge PR gap to break through in time for the midterms, and even if it does, why would anyone bother getting fired up about something that won't happen for years yet, and which they already doubt they're going to like very much anyway? Midterms are all about enthusing your base to turn out.
I guess President Obama and the Dem leadership believe the Republicans when they threaten to run against health care reform, as pushed by the tea baggers. As if they believe there's only one way for Republicans to run against reform - in favor of insurance companies denying more claims or raising premiums. Hell, all they have to do is run against the mandate. After all, who's in favor of forcing everyone to buy overpriced insurance from the same corporations that have screwed America over on health care except those corporations themselves?
If you want to get upset all over again about the missed opportunity for single-payer / Medicare-For-All, check out this. Enlargable image here.