Under fire, Obama shifts strategy (will not call for a public option)

[Psephos]

Source: Politico

Aides to President Barack Obama are putting the final touches on a new strategy to help Democrats recover from a brutal August recess by specifying what Obama wants to see in a compromise health care deal and directly confronting other trouble spots, West Wing officials tell POLITICO. 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.

“We’re entering a new season,” senior adviser David Axelrod said in a telephone interview. “It’s time to synthesize and harmonize these strands and get this done. We’re confident that we can do that. But obviously it is a different phase. We’re going to approach it in a different way. The president is going to be very active.”

Top officials privately concede the past six weeks have taken their toll on Obama's popularity. But the officials also see the new diminished expectations as an opportunity to prove their critics wrong by signing a health-care law, showing progress in Afghanistan, and using this month's anniversary of the fall of Lehman Brothers to push for a crackdown on Wall Street.

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.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26672.html

[DesertFlower]

1. i am not happy about this.

i can't see how the insurance companies can be kept honest without competition from a public option.

[Lorien]

2. It's Politico. Wait until it comes from a real news source. nt

[No Elephants]

50. Such as LA Times? How about Obama or Gibbs? Or the HEALTH and Human Services Secretary?

"Both Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on Sunday talk shows that a government insurance option was not essential -- one day after President Obama himself said as much."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-healthcare17-2009aug17,0,2687148.story

Please see also Reply ##s 16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[roguevalley]

37. he needs to come down off his ivory tower and do the right thing. It

is the definition of FUCKING STUPIDITY AND INSANITY to keep doing the same damned thing and expecting different results each time. JEEZ! WE'RE GOING TO FUCK THIS UP!

[WhiteTara]

3. oh, politico...nevermind

[No Elephants]

51. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[medeak]

4. hearing it everywhere

am sick.. have lost so many times.... everyone is a corporate sell out

[DCKit]

12. Until he does... or doesn't. n/t

[medeak]

13. Huffpo picked it up

it will be talking points all day tomorrow on msnbc

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/01/white-house-obama-may-det_n_274702.html

[pinto]

16. The Huffpo contributor picked up that Obama will be more out front on the issue.

No mention of the public option here, at all. Zip, nada.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, faced with falling approval ratings and increasingly impatient with Senate negotiations over health care, is weighing a shift in strategy that would offer more details of his goals for overhauling the nation's health care system.

The president is considering a speech in the next week or so in which he would be "more prescriptive" about what he feels Congress must include in a bill, top adviser David Axelrod said Tuesday in an interview. The speech might occur before the Sept. 15 deadline the White House gave to Senate negotiators to seek a bipartisan bill, Axelrod said. He suggested that two key Republicans have not bargained in good faith.

Congress reconvenes next Tuesday after an August recess in which critics of Obama's health proposals dominated many public forums.

Some Obama allies, watching his approval ratings tumble in polls along with support for a health care overhaul, have urged the president to take a more hands-on approach. They feel he gave too much leeway to Congress, where one bill has passed three House committees, another has passed a Senate committee and a third has been bogged down in protracted negotiations in the Senate Finance Committee.

Axelrod indicated that Obama would not offer new proposals but would be more specific about his top priorities.

"The ideas are all there on the table," Axelrod said. "Now we are in a new phase, and it's time to pull the strands of these together."

He said there is serious discussion in the White House of Obama "giving a speech that lays out in specific ways what he thinks" about the essential elements of a health care bill.

Axelrod said it was possible that the speech could occur before a planned Sept. 15 Obama address on health care in Pittsburgh.

[Betty]

112. thinking about giving a speech???

well, that's bold and decisive action.

[David Zephyr]

5. With the Left upset, Obama's approval ratings will fall even lower. The Right certainly won't cheer.

Obama is making a big mistake. And triangulating against the Left will be his undoing.

[dotymed]

83. HR676

Is the only bill that makes sense and will save us trillions
in the long run. Every other "major" nation in the
world has NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, (even Mexico). We give
trillions to wall street, trillions to wars, yet we can not
take care of our own citizens? HR676 will actually SAVE us
money, while giving medicare to all. It's a win-win.

[PurityOfEssence]

87. Clintonian redux

Both smart guys, both understand what it's like to be poor, both give a damn to some degree, both have GREAT social grease and insight into personalities, and both have the aching need of the garden variety actor: to be loved by everybody, yet neither seems to understand that the right will not love them no matter what they do.

Obama's a great campaigner, but the campaign's over; now it's time to lead.

[pattmarty]

92. As I started saying a couple of months ago, the Black Clinton.

[Javaman]

104. never ever take anything from politico serious. nt

[redqueen]

121. Yeah, right... good luck with that.

This crap has been posted how many times now?

[bkkyosemite]

6. If this is true we must start yelling at Obama that we want a public option now. Actually Single

Payer.

[Delphinus]

65. As someone who has been working

for almost two years on HR 676, everything we do is still about contacting the White House and key leaders in the House and Senate. But nobody seems to be listening.

Single Payer is the ONLY way - but how to reach them?

[No Elephants]

73. There is a candlelight vigil Wednesday and a rally in D.C. and elsewhere on 9/13.

If you cannot get to DC, try looking into local rallies, maybe organize one.

[bkkyosemite]

127. You are so right I have been doing this for months even changed to saying they need to support

a Strong Public option as I can see we will not get Single Payer at this point but not it looks like we won't even get a Public Option. I am so angry.

[pinto]

7. Where is President Obama quoted about the public option in this Politico article?

A lot of second hand info, supposition and implied conclusions are there. Yet I see nothing that speaks directly for the President, on the record, one way or the other.

He may well bail on it. I have my doubts about that, to be honest, but that's just my 2 cents.

[DURHAM D]

15. You don't think Axelrod speaks for the President?

The "aide" that was quoted is most likely Rahm. Why is it Rahm - no one else would dare speak to the media on this subject. And, you don't think he speaks for the President?

On the other hand Rahm lost his job in the Clinton White House (1) because he ran his own (not the President's) agenda and (2) was one of two chronic "leakers". The reason he did number (2) was so he could do number (1). Maybe he is still at it.

[pinto]

22. Axelrod didn't speak to the public option at all. His quote in Politico -

We’re entering a new season,” senior adviser David Axelrod said in a telephone interview. “It’s time to synthesize and harmonize these strands and get this done. We’re confident that we can do that. But obviously it is a different phase. We’re going to approach it in a different way. The president is going to be very active.”

and the vague "West Wing officials said" citation is this -

Aides to President Barack Obama are putting the final touches on a new strategy to help Democrats recover from a brutal August recess by specifying what Obama wants to see in a compromise health care deal and directly confronting other trouble spots, West Wing officials tell POLITICO.

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.

this paragraph is pure conjecture and opinion -

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.

juxtaposition of fact and opinion has become another facet of reporting these days, imo. I'm fine with either, or both, but not jumbled up in one article. ~ pinto

[No Elephants]

52. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[villager]

8. will be interesting to see how this not-unexpected sell-out by the admin plays with the AFL-CIO

...after their "line in the sand" today...

[FrenchieCat]

9. Ask Politico.....as I'm sure they know exactly how it will play out,

considering that Politico knows everything else....even if later it is found not to have been factual. Nothing better than to get the base frothing at the mouth based on heresy.

[BP2]

23. Make up your damn mind!

> Nothing better than to get the base frothing at the mouth based on heresy.

Yeah, but this "back and forth" on the public option makes him look like a fucking yo-yo. I'm sure it's by design from Politico, too. What a better way to destroy his credibility to reform health care.

We don't need to "synthesize and harmonize" anything. We OWN Congress and the White House. Everytime A-rod has the itch to be bipartisan, we end up getting the shaft, and I'm getting DAMN TIRED OF IT!!!

[No Elephants]

53. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[pinto]

14. What sell-out has occurred? This is an opinion piece from Politico, at best.

They are welcome to their opinion, but too much of what is actually DC circuit gossip gets passed off as news these days, imho, without some hard journalism to back it up.

[Psephos]

19. I'm neither supporting nor denigrating the article, but it is a news piece based on interviews

and not an opinion piece.

Re-read the article. It quotes Axelrod directly from a telephone interview, and reports what several aides and staffers said off the record. My guess is one of those "aides" has the initials E.R.

In any case, no one is going to say anything on the record until the President says it first, and that will be within a few days.

I'm hardly a Politico fan, but personally, I doubt that Politico would risk the certain negative p.r. that would come from claiming its piece is multiply-sourced when Obama's actions would soon prove different.

[pinto]

26. I hear you. My point, Axelrod's direct quotes are very general. Not specific at all.

Un-named sources are cited and a conclusion is reached by the author.

I agree, I'm willing to wait to hear what Obama says in real time.

And I'm willing to follow the progress of the various bills being considered in Congress, in real time, when they reconvene.

All else is interesting side talk, granted. I'm a political junkie. But it's side talk. And conjecture. I take it at that on it's face and am fine with it.

[Psephos]

35. I think we're on the same page here

Maybe even the same subheading. ;)

[NanceGreggs]

27. It quotes Axelrod directly ...

Mm hmm. Unfortunately, it doesn't "quote" the context in which the statement was made, or link it in any way to the conjecture that follows.

"I doubt that Politico would risk the certain negative p.r. ..." Yeah, in the same way I doubt that FOX-News would risk the negative p.r. associated with identifying Foley and Craig as Democrats.

"multiply-sourced piece"? "Top officials said ..." Yep, that's mutiply-sourced (sic) all right - it DOES say "officials" plural.

And I'm sure Glenn Beck can prove the whole thing with a blackboard and some chalk.

[Selatius]

10. I don't trust politico. Will wait for confirmation from other sources of news. nt

[Iowa]

46. I don't trust politico either...

Unfortunately, Obama has been so wishy-washy on this issue, and such a sell-out on countless other issues, that people are inclined to believe the worst of him. If we had a real president we wouldn't need to be guessing here - we'd KNOW that Politico was full of shit. The real shocker would be if Obama actually did the right thing here.

[No Elephants]

55. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[Skittles]

11. stare down his own party?

it would be selling out his own party

[Drunken Irishman]

17. This is why we're losing...

Because people read something that isn't even from Obama's mouth and run with it.

:eyes:

[No Elephants]

58. What do you think Obama meant when he said the public option,

whether we have it or not , is not the be and end all of reform. It's only a sliver? (The exact quote is in the article linked in Reply #50.)

Did you assume that meant he was never going to go forward without the public option? Please allso see Reply ##s 16, 24 and others on this thread.


Come on. There's been thread upon thread on how Obama, Gibb and Sibelius have been backing away from the necessity of the public option,(even as they say Obama would prefer it).

This is no surprise. Sure, Politico is stirring the pot, but, face it, Obama and his peeps have been giving it the stirring spoon for weeks now.

Denial is not going to get us a public option (or anything else).

[NanceGreggs]

18. Oh, Jesus H. Christ ...

" ... West Wing officials tell POLITICO."

"Obama has no plans to insist on it himself, the officials said."

"Top officials privately concede ..."

Well, you can't argue with straight-from-the-horse's mouth, completely verifiable, well-sourced facts like this.

[No Elephants]

59. Please see Reply ##s 16, 24 and 58.

[kenny blankenship]

20. WARNING: 2 can play the game of FUCK YOU.

[Alamuti Lotus]

21. how is it that even as a minority in retreat, the Republican wing of the Business Party still wins?

Well, I do know the answer to that, and I am slightly (quite a bit) coy in the asking to begin with, but eh.

[jerryster]

49. My answer...

is that Democrats can be so fucking spineless that it makes me sick. Which party has the majority here? Rhetorical question, to be sure, but why do they behave as if they don't.

The sad truth is that Democrats need to learn a lesson from Republicans. When you are the majority party, FUCKING ACT LIKE IT! If the party in the minority doesn't like it, too fucking bad.

I sent a letter to Senator Durbin yesterday. I wrote that I don't care if a health care reform bill is passed without a single Republican vote. However, I also wrote that I believe the Democrats are cowardly enough that if there was a 50-50 tie and Republicans asked in the spirit of "bipartisanship: to let Cheney come back and cast the tiebreaker that the Democrats would do it!

[NecklyTyler]

60. President Obama plays chess, not checkers

We have to trust out President here, he is going to get this through in the end. The people who are about to learn the lesson are the Republicans. My answer is the Congress will amend the legislation, the President will sign it, and through tactful modification to the new Health Care laws, we will have not the public option, but single payer before Obama leaves office in 2017.

[QC]

98. This is a parody, right? n/t

[NecklyTyler]

120. We need some kind of Health Care Bill this year

Changes to existing legislation are easier that creating brand new bills. First we get our foot in the door, and then use our majorities in the House and the Senate to move the Health Care program in the direction we want. Every session of Congress, we push the Republicans aside and move forward. Once the benefits of logical management start becoming apparent, single payer by the Government will be possible in four years. If President Obama manages the strong advantages the Democrats presently have in Washington, we will have the Health Care of our dreams by the time he leaves office.

[No Elephants]

63. Please see Reply #62. The Republicrats are at it again..still. K Street has ruled since Reagan.

[pattmarty]

94. I think a LOT of people are missing the point. The Republican party.............

............HAS become a radical, marginal, regional party that at this stage really has NO agenda. What is happening now in the Democratic party is we have a "liberal" faction and a "conservative" faction that is very similar to the Republican party of the 50's and 60's. What to do about is a whole other thing, but I believe this is where we're at at this time.

[No Elephants]

62. Because the corporatists are always in power, regardless of who appears to win elections?

[Alamuti Lotus]

125. We have a winner!

Please collect your prize at the door; not sure which door.

[DURHAM D]

24. Everyone dissing Politico should read -

the Vanity Fair article from July - "Obama vs. The Media: Has The Press Met Its Match". It seems that the W.H. is "using" Politico for getting out its daily message. In other words, the White House is basically writing the Politico articles.

The VF article is an interesting read. I am sure its online somewhere.

[pinto]

28. Thanks. Sounds like a good read. n/t

[obliviously]

25. Businesses and individuals should be allowed to charge those in health care,

insurance and I would add the legal profession three times whatever their services or products are worth. For years just because they have a diploma they have been allowed to rape the american public with what they charge us for their services! Turnabout is fair play.

[Emit]

29. By changing the title of this piece, you've suggested something much different than the article

details. First off, as others have pointed out, I am uncertain Politico is the best source.

That being said, the "shifts strategy" from the original title apparently refers to Obama taking a more hands on approach, as other similar Politico reports and articles on the same subject have already made reference to on this very topic. Your title leads the reader to believe that the shift in strategy is that Obama will not call for a public option.

Lastly, to quote the article:

"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."

That doesn't necessarily mean Obama does not support or even want a public option.

The three things OFA has been stressing to date includes the following, which includes a choice of a public option:

* Reduce Costs — Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals and families and they must be brought under control
* Guarantee Choice — Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor – including the choice of a public insurance option
* Ensure Quality Care for All — All Americans must have quality and affordable health care

http://my.barackobama.com/fbnoteorganizingforhealthcare



I guess, bottom line, we will have to wait and see what Obama says and does.

[Psephos]

34. Just to be clear, I did not change the title of the piece

The use of parenthetical additional information is well-established in LBN and what's in the parentheses is understood to be absent from the original source.

Someone just pointed out to me that at the moment I write this post, Drudge is running this as his top story under the line, "IT'S OFFICIAL: NO PUBLIC OPTION FROM OBAMA".

I am emphatically not endorsing Drudge, but am pointing out I'm hardly alone in drawing the rather obvious conclusions. Again, as I stated before, I neither support nor reject the article I posted. I posted it so that people here will be aware of what's certain to be the big buzz in the next few days, and will have time to think about how to process and respond to it.

In other words, I am a public servant. ;) lol

[No Elephants]

66. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

30. Candlelight vigils Wednesday night

for health care reform sponsored by MoveOn. Hell, I'll go out in the smoke in L.A. - we're ALL gonna need health care before this fire mess is done. People and animals are suffering here enough, so I'll happily hold a candle and wave a sign. September is our month to speak out and be visible.

[Cant trust em]

38. I can't imagine too many independents being moved by a candlelight vigil

We need details about a proposal at this point. Painting a picture about the 47 million uninsured has not been effective.

[No Elephants]

67. We have to show the WH and Democrats in Congress, especially the Purple Hyenas, that

the RW gun toting Hitler poster carrying folk are not the only folks in the country.

When Independents see themselves getting leaders and the platform for which they voted in 2006 and 2008, they will come around, especially if Democrats finally figure out how to do propaganda as well as the Republicans do, but without lying.

[Cant trust em]

116. There has be a better way to promote our ideas than a candlelight vigil

When I think of a candlelight vigil, I think of people standing around in silent repose. If there's confusion over what health care will be, I'm not sure how this is going to assuage those fears.

[donheld]

31. I want more proof than Politico

[No Elephants]

68. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 58 and others on this thread.

[JeffR]

32. Oh, well, if the source is Politico, that's definitive. Game over, man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:eyes:

[No Elephants]

69. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 50, 58 and others on this thread.

[NYC Democrat]

33. I don't see a really big change in position with this Obama still favors the Public Option but

is unwilling to draw a line in the sand its been like that for months now the only change is that obama is drawing the line in the sand on other parts of health care reform.

[No Elephants]

70. Bingo!

[HDPaulG]

36. Give up Public Option...

Give up second term...Simple. Independents shift back toward right...Lower IQ's do that...

[FrenchieCat]

39. Politico is so king powerful right here at DU.....

it makes me tremble.

Who would have thunk it!...that a suddenly appeared and quickly powerful Internet News outfit ran by some right Wingers would get this kind of play on a so called progressive site.
Even Drudge was mentioned in this thread with some authority!

I am so impressed.... :sarcasm:

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. Unrec'd. Because it's just another "Politico" hitpiece. (nt)

[No Elephants]

71. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 50, 58 and others on this thread.

[Frank Booth]

41. If this is true, Obama better start looking for another job.

Because there's no way he's winning a second term after betraying his base. I'll vote for him again, but I certainly won't donate or volunteer -- and he wouldn't have won last time around if he didn't have so many enthusiastic supporters.

[Aramchek]

42. yet another twisted article attempting to make it seem as if Obama has given up

didn't we see this same thing last week, and the week before??

try again, friend...

[No Elephants]

74. Please see Reply ##s16, 24, 50, 58 and others on this thread.

We have been seeing things like this since Obama said the public option, whether we get it or not, is only a sliver. Guess why we have been seeing them? Well, in part because Gibbs has confirmed, repeatedly, in response to questioning from the media, that competition within the private sector will suffice.

And MAYBE also in part bc the WH keeps leaking stories so that by the time Obama says it, we can all say "nothing new here." (Notice the all caps on "maybe." I am not making this claim, only saying it is possible.)

Our only hope is to show we want the public option, nothing else. Staying in denial until it's too late is NOT going to get us a thing.

[bl968]

43. The public option is a deal breaker

No candidate for public office, Obama included, who does not support a single payer public option will receive my vote ever again. I will stop voting first.

[No Elephants]

75. IMO, not voting does not send a message.

Remember when Perot ran on fiscal responsiblity and bringing down the deficit and made an incredible showing for a third party candidate? Both Clinton and Congress worked hard to bring down the deficit and Clinton left office with a modest surplus. Rather than waste your right to vote entirely, vote 3rd party or write in a candidate (Howard Dean? Ed Shultz?) who best represents your views. At least then, you will be using your vote to send a clear message.

Meanwhile, please make sure the DNC, the White House and any Democrats who represent you know exactly how you feel. If they hear only from the RW nutters, we may just deserve what we get (or don't get).

JMO.

[cyclezealot]

44. With Labor on the House Dem's side.

I predict Obama will be on the loosing end.. In the end House Dem's owe more to Labor than to Obama.. What does Obama think he is doing.. The Repukes will oppose him anyway a watered down bill or not.. Go with the 51 vote strategy in the Senate and tear down Repuke lies is the way to gain traction , since a majority of Americans favor the Public option anyway.

[JDPriestly]

45. Without a public option, health care reform will be too expensive.

Better nothing than a "reform" without a public option. No one will be able to afford the private insurance if all we get is a mandate that everyone buy it. That will be a disaster. That is exactly what Americans do not want.

[qanda]

48. I just asked the question below, what health care reform would look like without a public option

Is this it? That would definitely be a disaster.

[No Elephants]

76. Without a public option...

Health care reform will consist of things like eliminating the pre-exising condition loophole (I HOPE) and computerizing your health info and hoping no one misuses it. It will also cost individuals a bundle, which will go to the murdering insurance companies, as 50 million uninsured are forced to get insurance, whether or not they can afford it, or pay a penalty, whether to the government or to the insurers. And a lot of that will be tax money.

Meanwhile, health care costs will continue to float up as hospitals, drug companies and other providers are free to continue raising prices, as are insurance companies.

In other words, as per usual, for every crumb the public gets, the big money will get even bigger and will control our government and us even more.

[qanda]

47. Can anyone tell me what health care reform would look like without a public option?

I really want to know.

[santamargarita]

54. We need to ban Politico posts!

What bullshit

[No Elephants]

78. Please see Reply ##s 16, 24, 50, 58, 82 and others on this thread.

[BumRushDaShow]

56. And the hand-wringing begins again. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Every other week this type of article comes out and the finger-nail gnawing and hand-wringing and outright vitriol ensues right on cue!

Come on DU, it's a tactic - and the lunatic fringe media (and some here on DU) falls for it every time thinking they have a scoop to chew on for a couple days and then a few days later, it shifts the other way.

This has been the case ALL summer long. "Official says 'no public option'" (pick your person - Rahm, Sebelius, Axelrod, Reid, Durbin, Hoyer) and then a few days later, Obama (or Pelosi or Rangel or Frank or Kennedy-at-his-gravesite) says "Of course we support a public option".

But people here and in the M$M keep falling for it. :eyes:

[No Elephants]

79. You are mistaken. Please see the article linked in Reply #50 and Reply ##s 16,

24, 58 and 82.

They've been saying the public option is not important, though Obama would favor it. That is significantly different from your characterization. They (Gibbs and HEALTH Secretary Sebelius have also been saying competition with the private sector would suffice. Gibbs even went so far as saying that even 2 competitors within the private sector might do it in his mind.

[BumRushDaShow]

124. Fortunately there is no "Unitary Executive" in real life

The Legislative branch makes law, not the Executive. Legs (of the gullible and the M$M) are being pulled and folks continue to fall for it. It's WAY WAY too obvious. The result of the "leaks" and "trial balloons" conveniently lands the "voiced" arguments somewhere "in the middle" to obfuscate... on purpose. This will ultimately make it easier to get the Democratic legislative agenda through with progressive reputations intact (and that agenda has been made clear - the public option as a compromise to single payer) by showing independents (who are critical) that attempts continued to be made to compromise and were rebuffed (thus justifying use of the nuclear option).

Since progressives own little or no "mainstream media", they are and always will be at a disadvantage in controlling the spin, so a way around that had to be devised.

[Historic NY]

57. So thats going to help regain the initiative? Whats even the point ?

[MannyGoldstein]

61. Of Course! Cave Stronger, Cave Harder!

Emanuel is a genius.

[Vidar]

64. Ahh, the rime- honored Marshal Petain Vichy gambit. What a chess player!

[fasttense]

72. I wouldn't trust Politico.

The publisher is a child of the uber wealthy. He made money the old fashion way - he inherited it.

"Allbritton is the 35-year-old son and only child of Joe L. Allbritton, who gained control of the company and its Riggs Bank subsidiary in 1981. Though the family still controls nearly 40 percent of the outstanding stock, no family members will remain on the board or in the executive suite. Joe, who was chief executive until 2001, and his wife, Barbara, announced last April they would resign as directors as a money-laundering scandal engulfed the company."

http://www.muckety.com/Robert-L-Allbritton/41954.muckety

Born to wealth and daddy buys him a bank. Yet, even then, they couldn't keep their dirty hands out of the kitty.

[No Elephants]

81. Please see Reply ##s 16, 24, 50, 58 and 82. You don't have to trust Politico. You just have to

read what Obama, Gibbs, Sebelius and now Axelrod have been saying. It's very consistent: the public option would be nice, but America can live without it, as long as there is competition within the private sector.

[JeanGrey]

77. I knew it.

[Wizard777]

80. Hey Axelrod! When we want someone to stare us down and tell us no.

We'll vote Republican. I don't expect my guy to tell me no so he can make nice with the people that didn't vote for him. They still won't vote for him after he's made nice with them. I guess in 2010 we'll have to send some democrats home and replace them with republicans. Then Obama can find out the hard way why you never ever play nice with the Republicans. We'll see how he likes Congress when he can't get a single bill through because they're tied up investigating his birth certificate for impeachment hearings. Axelrod is a freakin' idiot!

[No Elephants]

82. For those who insist that Obama will never bail on the public option:

some reading.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-healthcare17-2009aug17,0,2687148.story In addition to the comments by Obama's own HEALTH Secretary and his own press secretary, see in this LA Times article Obama's own comment:

"And a day earlier, Obama said at a healthcare forum in Colorado that "the public option, whether we have it or don't have it, is not the entirety of healthcare reform."

From other sources, we know he added "It's only a sliver." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32446157/ns/politics-white_house/

Does that really sound to you as though Obama drew in a line in the sand, saying he will not sign something without a public option?

See also the pressers of Gibbs, especially after August 15, which I believe is the date of Obama's sliver comment.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/search/?keywords=Gibbs%20public%20option%20August

The clear message, including from the Obama quote in the LAT article, is, sure, the public option is preferable, but if we don't get it, we are still proceeding 'cause the public option is not the be all and end all here.

And, if you still TRULY don't get it, all I can say is, I feel sorry for you. On the other hand, if you are shilling or not even trying to get it, when this is the most important legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, screw you.


Please make your voices heard now, before it is too late

www.house.gov
www.senate.gov
www.house.gov

And don't forget to thank the Progressive Caucus for being the ONLY, repeat, ONLY, body of elected officials who have drawn a line in the sand on this issue on our behalf.

http://cpc.grijalva.house.gov/index.cfm?SectionID=15&ParentID=0&SectionTypeID=5&SectionTree=15

[Lasher]

84. So Obama is willing to stare down his own party to get things done.

Isn't he trying to stare down the wrong people? And isn't he trying to get the wrong things done?

[Jester Messiah]

85. Grrr....

Do NOT fail us on this one, Barack. You've got a long presidency ahead of you. The Republicans will never cooperate with you. If you alienate us, you're alone.

[Political Tiger]

86. Robert Reich: Beware "inside sources" who say the public option is dead

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8615212&mesg_id=8615212

[DallasNE]

88. Obama Is Going In The Wrong Direction

He has been tone deaf as well. Forget bipartisanship. Marginalize the Republican Party. Just do what it takes. Pass it with 51 votes and move on.

[WriteDown]

89. All part of the plan from the beginning. nt

[Jazzgirl]

90. I don't touch Politico.

As far as I'm concerned they are not credible. I'd rather hear it from somebody with a better reputation not somebody that usually echoes repuke talking points.

[man4allcats]

91. "The confrontation would allow Obama to show he is willing to stare down his own party..."

I wish he were as willing to stare down Republicans and Blue Dog Dems. That would really impress me.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Odin2005]

95. Never trust Politico.

Long on interpretation, short on fact.

[Deep13]

96. My email to POTUS just now.

Dear President Obama:

It is imperative that the health care reform act contains a guarantee of universal coverage and a strong public option AT LEAST. What we REALLY need is single-payer national insurance. Since you began negotiation with the already compromised position of public option, there has been nowhere to go but down.

We, the USA, need public insurance. We have needed it for decades. If you blow this chance for us to get it, I will never forgive (or contribute to) the Democratic Party. Frankly sir, after all the promises of hope and change, I feel like we have been had. Congress will not write a responsible bill on its own. Executive pressure is what makes landmark legislation possible. If we cannot pass this basic goal of the Democratic Party with Congress and the presidency in Democratic hands then this party has no purpose. I am starting to believe that Ted Kennedy was the last real Democrat and that the current party is simply Republican Lite.

Universal health care was a basic promise of your campaign. You must stand up to the insurance lobby and to the Senators they own and make the public option a reality.

How many Americans will die today because of lack of coverage?

[bamacrat]

97. Well I guess he will be a one term president.

I want him for two, but this is bullshit. Why can't we ever have a truely progressive government? We get the uber conservative regressive kind all the time. The public option finally seems to be gaining some popularity and they're going to abandon it? WTF? Our guys are showing up at more and more town halls and are the silent majority in this country. Unless the public option is the goal of his healthcare reform, even if it takes 10 years, he may not have my vote. I understand a compromise with children (conservatives) on something that isn't bankrupting families every day. But their tiny undeveloped brains can't realize and obviously don't care that this would help everyone. It's like when your parents tell you to do something because you'll thank them later. They're not wanting to ruin your life, they just know what's best for your future.

[madokie]

99. I call bullshit on politico

What was jeffie boys news organization name, oh I remember it was talon or something like that. Where are they today, maybe politico, huh

[harun]

101. I second that.

[madokie]

111. I need that

pic you got there of the Prez if you don't mind.

I see way too much doom and gloom and way too much emphasis put on total bullshit and it seems to be getting worse. :shrug:

[harun]

118. I grabbed it from another DU'r, so feel free :-).

[Algorem]

100. he wants what clinton's got,the ex-presidency,after only a fast 4 yrs,

tons of money,worshipful crowds worldwide that you get to on private jets with condom machines

[Spazito]

102. Politico isn't worth the bandwidth to post, imo

They are the updated version of Gannon's Talon. It is amazing how many DUers don't get it. Their agenda is the same as Fox News, propaganda driven with the purpose of spreading disinformation.

Unrecommended.

[Javaman]

103. oh politico, those scamps. oh how they try.

this is a massive bullshit alert.

[closeupready]

105. I don't trust Politico. So I'm not prepared to believe this is true.

n/t

[mcollier]

106. Thanks for sharing this article

Nothing fires up the democrats more than, mis-information. You see, we have been fighting rather successfully against it for many years now.

Look at what happened with Election 2008.

We are raising our voices in support of the Obama Administration. Until politico's and huff post, and DU's republican writers come up with some facts... We'll consider the situation as business as usual.

Same Republican Strategy, Same Playbook, Same Result!

Its not the Obama Administration we have a challenge trusting... Its republicans... STILL... It will be that way in 2010 and 2012, count on it!

[earcandle]

107. I have no desire to harmonize with murderers, freepers and whores.

I'd like my medicare coverage now please. 

[IndianaGreen]

108. No public option, then no Obama insurance reform

Stripped of the public option, which was a compromise in lieu of single-payer, all Obama is doing is creating a financial bonanza for the health industry at the expense of the working class.

[earcandle]

109. Begin a president requires leadership that can do unpopular moves, with no need to win popularity

contests. 

[earcandle]

110. If Obama doesn't give us a public option, then he has turned against his own party when he is in a

position of strength to make things happen for us. This is
disloyal and no wonder his popularity is down.

I don't understand why anyone, let alone the president, would
play ball with the repugs when they are evil, hostile and
greedy and do not stand for American principles of tolerance,
pursuit of happiness, and willingness to work together.

Giving in to the republicans is like letting the criminals run
the government. 

Do something strong, Obama.  Your ratings will soar if you
have the courage to insist on the public option.  If you
don't, you are not doing the world your children will be
growing up in any favors. 

[Cass]

113. This is how the WH and Dems negotiate? Their negotiating skills suck big time if this is true.

Assuming there is any truth to this, I am starting to really believe the public option was never a serious consideration for them. All through the Bush years all we heard about was how the Reps controlled everything and in order to change things, Dems needed a majority to do it. Well, hello, they got it. They were handed a majority on silver platter, they need to use it for god's sake.

I do not understand this obsession Dems have with caving in at the slightest pressure from the right. I just don't get it. The republicans will never like them and will never vote for them - its not rocket science. Look at the stimulus bill for a recent example. I thought maybe listening to Ted Kennedy's eulogies would have woken some of them up to maybe try to follow in his footsteps but nope, we are hearing this bullshit from even more of them now.

They are blatantly kissing up to corporate interests over he needs of the people, there's not even much pretense anymore. The American people have been sold out so many times in the name of corporate interests its pathetic.

:grr:

[quiet.american]

114. There's nothing of substance in this story that justifies its propaganda-level headline. nt

Smoke and mirrors.

[Purveyor]

115. BLOOMBERG: Obama to Begin New Health-Care Offensive, Top Aide Axelrod Says

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama may offer more detailed, “prescriptive” proposals as he begins a new offensive to overcome opposition to his efforts to overhaul the U.S. health-care system, a senior adviser said.

“We recognize that we’re entering the final phases of this debate and we’re going to do the things that we think are necessary to bring it to a successful close,” White House senior adviser David Axelrod said in an interview yesterday.

An Oval Office address, the first of Obama’s presidency, or a speech to a joint session of Congress are also being considered, another administration official said.

Obama is pressing lawmakers to extend coverage to the 46 million uninsured Americans and revamp a health-care system that accounts for about a sixth of the nation’s economy. His proposal for a public insurance option to compete with private insurers such as Indianapolis-based WellPoint Inc. is among the most contentious issues, sparking anger at town-hall meetings nationwide.

Republican lawmakers say the plan would drive private insurers out of business. Potential new taxes, such as a levy on the most generous health plans, also are unpopular, and Obama has drawn criticism from Democrats and Republicans for giving Congress too much leeway to write the legislation.

Obama has laid out a “set of principles that added up to a fundamental goal which is to bring security to people that have insurance and help those who don’t get it at a price they can afford,” Axelrod said. “That’s still the goal that is, I think, very much within reach.”

MORE...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=axiTuUIbMq4U

[Kansas Wyatt]

117. And he will watch his numbers fall further.

The reason his numbers have fallen is because he ignored single payer, then crawled in bed with the Insurance & Pharma Industries, and then balked on Public Option.

With this... He will completely blow a lot of support he did have.

I thought this guy was suppose to be smart?

It is time for Progressives and unions to raise Hell, and show the White House who put them there.

[sui generis]

119. reposted: Here's a plan

Obama cannot be successful if he tries to make everyone happy. The people who need this are the people he needs to make happy, not people who already have health coverage and access to healthcare.

Once he clarifies that, what he needs to avoid is backing down. If Kennedy was the lion in the senate, Obama needs to be the lionking in the executive office.

That means pointedly NOT considering input from anyone who stands to profit from some nuance in his strategy. I think we need this paid as a TAX, or opted out if you have insurance by selecting an extra deduction. If you forget to opt out, you can leverage your annual premiums against the withholding so that it is not a tax on anyone who has private insurance, if they so choose.

The taxable amount is therefore not a "premium" and is not subject to risk pool pricing. If services are used without paying or having private insurance, the entire cost of services is applied directly to your federal tax burden and subject to collection through federal paycheck lien.

We WILL take in more money on the public option than will actually be used the first year, that way. It will force private insurers to compete on premiums with a public option uniform income-scaled paycheck withholding.

Secondly, Obama MUST allow the OMB to negotiate formulary and costs.

On to "managing healthcare costs":

We should guaranty liability insurance for doctors who have a predominantly public-option clientele. We should be willing to forgive guaranteed medical school student loan debt if a doctor goes into primary care and contractually establishes and maintains a predominantly public-option practice for 7 years. (or some number).

We do collective bargaining agreements on clinical supplies and lab work costs. We make medical school accessible to more future doctors. We encourage nurses and PA's to "finish" as MDs, even years into their careers. We use peer review to address costly lab-padding protocols - finding continued billing for unjustified lab procedures to have costs re-assigned to the ordering physician. Peer review makes this fair - and we create those peer reviews the same way we empower jury duty; it's required.

This is what he needs to innovate with.

[lumberjack_jeff]

122. Willing to stare down his own party to get bad things done.

Can the Hillary supporters come back to DU now?

[PopSixSquish]

123. David Axelrod, The GUY WHOSE OFFICE IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE PRESIDENT'S

just said on CNN "The President remains committed that the public option is necessary to control costs and create an essential element of competition."

But please everyone, keep believing anonymous sources in the Politico if that's what gets you going...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8621912

[Cha]

126. This thread doesn't give a shite...they'd

rather pop open the whine bottle and drown their sorrows.