attention senator obama! please attach your healthcare plan to the "must pass" mortgage bailout!

[unblock]

there's NO WAY they are not going to pass and sign a bailout into law. the exact form is to be determined, but this is a "must pass" piece of legislation. bush and the republicans cannot let the financial system fail, certainly not after positioning things as they have done.

this is a win-win. if republicans kill the health care amendment, e.g., through filibuster, then you've got a great issue for the campaign trail, and then a mandate for passage once you become president.

alternatively, if it passes, you convincingly demonstrate leadership before even being elected. this kills the only remotely credible argument they have against you, the "no ready to lead" crap.

BARACK: GO FOR IT!!!

[DURHAM D]

1. Why would Obama take that risk?

He just isn't that vested in the issue.

[unblock]

2. where's the risk?

he scores points if it gets blocked, he scores points if it passes.

if you think health care isn't important (politically for obama or otherwise), then feel free to suggest an alternative.

point is, this is a moment to be seized. he can go for gimicky or he can go for statemanship, but he should not simply pass up the opportunity.

[dkf]

3. Yeah, then if the bill doesn't pass and the economy collapses Obama

would be responsible for everything.

Good idea.

[unblock]

4. hardly. he can pull the amendment if the republicans balk.

then he's got his campaign issue.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. i would rather see an increase in capital gains taxes to help pay for the capital loss bailout

It makes more sense than plugging in the health care bill which is a separate issue

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

6. If he just wanted to lose there must be an easier way than that

[unblock]

8. why is it that tactics that WIN for republicans can't be used by democrats?

look obama doesn't even need to be the one who actually proposes it. he can get an ally in the senate or the house.

then he can see the reaction and capitalize on it. that's playing it REALLY safe and less effectively, but even that would be worthwhile.

[unblock]

7. c'mon! you KNOW republicans would be attaching a flag-burning gay marriage amendment

if this were happening while a democrat was in office!

ok, it doesn't need to be health care, fine. but there's got to be SOMETHING he can make an issue out of!