State of the Union Puts Bush on Collision Course With Himself

[papau]

Ron Brownstein from Sunday's Los Angeles Times: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-outlook29jan29,1,6073381.column?ctrack=1&cset=true
Ronald Brownstein:
Washington Outlook

State of the Union Puts Bush on Collision Course With Himself (make a political point or make progress against the problems)

<snip>But on crucial issues such as the federal budget deficit, access to healthcare and America's dependence on foreign oil — all concerns Bush is likely to emphasize Tuesday — the nation is unlikely to make significant progress unless the parties narrow their differences. The evidence suggests that the best way to confront these problems is to blend ideas each side favors. The political imperative of greater contrast collides with the substantive imperative of more cooperation.<snip>

But these accounts alone are unlikely to significantly shrink the number of uninsured. Two-thirds of the uninsured come from families with incomes at twice the poverty line, or about $38,614 for a family of four, or less.

Even with tax benefits, health savings accounts "really don't lend themselves to the vast majority of the uninsured, because they don't have the money to pay" the required out-of-pocket expenses, says Bruce Bodaken, chairman and chief executive of Blue Shield of California.

Since most Democrats resist these accounts as a threat to traditional insurance, a Bush plan built on them alone would guarantee plenty of campaign contrast. But a compromise that joined these accounts with expansions of government programs, and perhaps new requirements on employers, could meaningfully expand access to care.<snip>

[papau]

1. People not worried about spying/corruption/Alito - but debt/health care/&

schools are the issues per Gina Giantz.


Gina Glantz, a Democratic consultant who advised Howard Dean in 2004, believes "much of the criticism that Democrats direct toward Bush doesn't touch the daily lives of most Americans. 'People are not worried about spying or corruption' or the nomination of Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the U.S. Supreme Court, she says. 'They are worried about being in debt, paying the mortgage, health care and good schools for their kids. Bush will say to them: 'I am strong and will make your life better.' That is what people are interested in.'"

Sadly it seems to me, folks vote based on things they "are not worried about".

[papau]

2. Rove selling national security, taxes, the great economy and judges

who are "conservative" - whatever the hell that means under Bush - with a media that says how high when he say jump - and a stolen election story that is so not approved by the GOP that media will not even let MC Miller's book be discussed - will only be defeated by Democrats that have a spine -

We will see in the filibuster vote if such exist.