The Public Option - What we need to listen for tonight...

[debbierlus]

The question tonight is this -

Will Obama fight for a public option and make it a mandatory component of health reform?

Keep this question in mind while you listen. The question is NOT - does Obama think the public option is a good idea? It is not,
Will Obama state some reasons why the Public Option is a good component of a plan?

Will we GET a public option? That is the question. Obama knows that public option is enormously popular, and he can't just dismiss it out of hand, even if he intends to eventually capitulate to the corporations demand for the nixing of the provision. So, we know he will at the very least, provide some type of lip service to the option. Will he go beyond lip service?

If he seriously intends to fight for a strong, robust public option, then we will see the following:

STRONG language & Framing the Issue

Wording such as WE MUST HAVE A PUBLIC OPTION - NON-NEGOTIABLE - ONLY WAY TO KEEP INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CHECK - ETC...phrases that clearly define a public option as a centerpiece of reform - those would be very encouraging signs. If he is serious about the public option, he will lay the case for it with no equivocation.

Words that would indicate lip service but no strong committment would be 'one component' - 'open to alternative' 'committed to solving in bipartisan manner' 'willing to discuss different ideas' or 'for now' 'only one means/measure' or any wording that seeks to reduce the public option to a small part of reform...

Does he stress the public option as paramount or does he frame the issue as the larger bill being more important then one 'component or aspect'? Does he play down the public option as merely just a small part of a much larger bill or frame it as central to the bill?

The key here is wiggle room. Does he unequivocaly lay down the case for the public option or does he leave room for triggers or other schemes to replace the public option?

RALLY the TROOPS AROUND THE PUBLIC OPTION

If Obama is serious about fighting back against the blue dogs who stand to stymie legislation, and the DINO Senators - he will need the aid of his base. If he intends to fight for the public option, he will lay out why the public option is essential and then he will direct his supporters to contact their represenatives to stand with him and pressure them for real health reform that includes the public option.

Insurance Companies

How does he frame his speech around insurance companies? The main reason we need a public option is to give insurance companies some real competition to drive down prices. Does he frame the public option as the ONE THING in the bill or the ONLY WAY in the bill to keep them in any kind of check? IF he does, that would be encouraging. Does he say that the insurance companies have had years to offer people fair rates and that the time for a trigger is long past? Or, does he leave room for alternatives such as triggers or health co-ops or other ineffective schemes? The language is crucial here.

How Much TIME Does He Spend on the Public Option

Does he spend a good amount of time clearly explaining what it means, how it will work, and why it is essential? Or, does he minimize it by stating it as one means to control insurance costs and then quickly move on to emphasize other aspects of the bill? This is his opportunity to clearly explain and make the case for it. If he intends on fighting for the public option, it will not be a footnote, but a center of the speech.

In the end, if Obama intends to stand up for true health care reform with a robust public option, it should be crystal clear. If on the other hand, we are still analyzing parsed words at the end of this speech, we will know that Obama is not committed to fighting for this one measure of real reform in the bill.

We will find out later today.

[saracat]

1. He had better not weasel like stating he "supports' the public option but not putting

teeth behind it like declaring health care reform without it "unacceptable".

[debbierlus]

2. I agree

This is a line in the sand moment, whether the dems realize it or not.