Why Does Obama Keep Blaming Liberals for His Health Care Bill’s Unpopularity?

[Bluebear]

via BlueTexan/FDL: People are chattering today about this hippie-punching passage from the President’s press conference.

“This is the public option debate all over again,” the president said. “So I pass a signature piece of legislation, where we finally get health care for all Americans, something that Democrats have been fighting for for a hundred years, but because there was a provision in there that they didn’t get, that would have affected maybe a couple of million people, even though we got health insurance for 30 million people and the potential for lower premiums for 100 million people, that somehow that was a sign of weakness and compromise.”

This notion that everyone loves the health insurance bailout bill except “they” (liberal purity trolls) seems to be a real idee fixe for Obama, and I’m not sure why.

August 2009:

A new study by SurveyUSA puts support for a public option at a robust 77 percent, one percentage point higher than where it stood in June.

October 2009:

On the issue that has been perhaps the most pronounced flash point in the national debate, 57 percent of all Americans now favor a public insurance option, while 40 percent oppose it.

And the kicker:

Just 34% of voters nationwide support the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats if the so-called “public option” is removed.

Now, the President clearly has his fee-fees hurt that Americans aren’t clapping loud enough for his health insurance industry-friendly bill. But it’s not unpopular because liberals perceive it as a “sign of weakness and compromise.” It’s unpopular because it forces people to become paying customers of Aetna and WellPoint without giving them the ability to fire them when they get screwed. And get screwed they will. Put another way, it does nothing to break up the pernicious cartel that is running our health industry like a criminal racket.

Stop blaming liberals, Mr. President. You got the bill you wanted and the majority of Americans don’t like it. And PS, complaining about how we just don’t appreciate the things you’ve done for us makes you sound weak.

http://firedoglake.com/2010/12/08/why-does-obama-keep-blaming-liberals-for-his-health-care-bills-unpopularity/

[readmoreoften]

1. Because all he does is blame the people who elected him

in favor of people who line his pockets and keep him in power. He will never support us. And by "us" I don't just mean the LGBT community. We're only the canary in the coalmine.

[RKP5637]

7. Exactly, and I'm so tired of this shit of blaming those that elected him. I'm a

moderate and I'm F'en tired of hearing dems blamed for this or that by this administration! And I know a lot of dems that feel the same and they are not far left liberals, the professional left.

[Bluerthanblue]

38. oh bullshit.

If ever a politician took responsibility for things not going as well as everyone wanted it would be Pres. Obama.

Hell, people here at DU have moaned about his apologetic manner.

But on the rare occasion where he defends his position, we hear all kinds of indignant "how dare he be show frustration with me" threads.

It's time for everyone to grow-up.

[Lorien]

64. Yep. He's not on the side of anyone in the bottom 98%

It's becoming clear that he never was. His lies were nothing more than a slick, cynical ad campaign.

[leftstreet]

2. omg He really doesn't get it, does he?

Thanks for posting that. I hadn't read the full text of his comments.

omg

:scared:

[rhett o rick]

53. His actions are those of an upper class elitist. He thinks we should be thankful for any scrap they

happen to leave us. Let us eat cake Mr. President.

[vi5]

3. "we finally get healthcare for all Americans"

Really? Does he really say this? Does he really believe this?

Does he not realize that just because it's not illegal to deny people coverage that even a fraction of the uninsured still can't afford even the most basic of plans? Can he be that naive or is this just a Bush-esque case of "If I say it, then it must be true"?

[leftstreet]

8. If he really honestly believes this, he needs to friggin SUE his advisers

If this isn't just the political posturing and soundbiting they all do, if his sincerity seems so authentic because he actually believes this..........


omg

[NorthCarolina]

58. Health Insurance cost increases forced my partner and I

to let our BCBS policies lapse this month. The rate increases put us beyond the point of being financially able to continue. Because we are a gay couple, we do not qualify for any form of family plan that might have helped to reduce costs some as opposed to two individual policies, but I am sure at best that would only have prolonged the inevitable by a little bit. One thin g is for sure, Obama seriously needs to be corrected on the assumption that his health insurance reform made health care available to all citizens.

[MuseRider]

4. He does not like to fight

and apparently he does not like being called a chicken either?

I dunno, whatever makes his life flow.

[Poboy]

5. Single payer is what we wanted. 'Compromise' was a public option.

The Liar-in-Chief continually sets up his straw man arguement calling the left 'purists', and publically bashes us about the face and body. He secures millions of new customers for the medical industrial complex and expects us to praise him.

Fuck that, and I spit in your direction!

[Edweird]

9. I agree with your first two sentences. The rest not so much.

[Edweird]

6. It's kinda funny that Obama has that figured out while some posters here don't.

[Bluebear]

10. What's 'that'?

[Edweird]

12. I'm referring to the "X% of liberal democrats" claims that were common in recent history.

Sorry for not being specific - it made sense in my mind at any rate :)

[Bluebear]

13. Gotcha :))

[LuvNewcastle]

11. It looks like he thinks that putting down liberals

and wooing conservatives is a winning strategy. Conservatives and right-wingers will never accept him, no matter what he does. If he wants to destroy his Presidency and his chances in 2012, he's doing a bang-up job.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. He's displaying his ability to be uncompromising... to the left...while kissing up to the right.

[Missy Vixen]

15. He believes that the "fringe left" or "professional left" are a fraction

of those who helped him get to the White House.

I have news for you, Mr. President: The Republicans didn't give you one red cent. They weren't the ones sleeping on other people's couches to work for your campaign, and squeezing that $25 out of an already seriously-strained household budget to contribute.

Those who sent the dollars, put boots on the ground and worked their fingers to the bone for you won't be there in 2012. After all, you and your advisers have insulted the "fringe left" repeatedly, and THEY are typically the ones that get out and work for their candidate. I know you think you have this locked up - after all, an alleged 81% of "liberals" support your Presidency.

I predict massive shock when the Beltway insiders discover how mad the average American is over what is happening RIGHT NOW.

:eyes:

[Greyhound]

17. I just don't believe that it is possible to not know this.

His (pathological?) need to make the wrong move gave him the last election, and right now it looks unlikely that we will get any improvement in '12.

So, what's left to conclude?

[Missy Vixen]

20. He doesn't believe it's going to bite him

I used this word several months ago; I'm using it again.

Arrogance.

Why else would anyone continue to berate and belittle those who worked to see him elected?

[Celtic Raven]

61. after all, an alleged 81% of "liberals" support your Presidency.

I keep seeing that number bandied about. I don't believe it for a minute. Not only have I read it here, but have also talked to people IRL who say when they are polled about their support for Obama they LIE.

You're right they're going to be surprised.

[One_Life_To_Give]

16. Denial that Ins Industry wrote it?

Wouldn't want the masses to know it's Healthcare written By the Ins Industry, of the Ins Industry and for the Ins Industry.

[bvar22]

18. He's GOT to blame somebody for this dog,

and he's NOT going to blame his friends, The Republicans.

[treestar]

19. Where does he say it is unpopular?

He is just disagreeing with the left, which he has the perfect right to do. It seems the left wants to dish it out and never get any blowback.

It's only unpopular with the far left, and the right, of course. President does not agree with either.

Just because you criticize the President does not mean the President must agree with you. That goes for anyone.

[Dawgs]

22. Independants don't like it either.

http://www.pollingreport.com/health.htm

Quinnipiac University Poll. Nov. 8-15, 2010. N=2,424 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.

"What should Congress do with the new health care law: expand it, leave it as is, or repeal it?"

48% of Independants want to repeal it.

Who's left?

[Lord Magus]

37. That would be a minority of independents.

This is basic math.

[Cherchez la Femme]

47. Would be so if only one other choice

but there are 3, count 'em:

"What should Congress do with the new health care law: expand it, leave it as is, or repeal it?"

[mmonk]

21. True story. I convinced a long time Republican to vote for

Obama last go around. He voted Republican this particular time. His reasoning (though flawed) was Obama didn't fight to keep the public option (I kid you not).

[Greyhound]

23. There used to be actual liberal republiks, and there are quite a few that do

see the need and support a solid social foundation. It may be true that they do because it makes it easier for them to prosper but the results are the same.

We all do better when we all do well.

[glitch]

33. Genuine conservatives know the public option is good for business.

Those not in the insurance industry that is.

[dflprincess]

34. I'm not surprised

when the polls about people being unhappy with the insurance bill are honestly reported, it turns out that most the unhappiness has to do with the lack of any move in the direction of single payer and/or the lack of a public option.

[TexasObserver]

24. Because he can't handle the truth.

[DainBramaged]

25. Because we caught him lying to us?

Do I win a prize?

[Jeffersons Ghost]

26. K&R. because...

"it does nothing to break up the pernicious cartel that is running our health industry like a criminal racket."

[WinkyDink]

27. Because he hates Baby Boomers; you know, the ones who made the 60's so full of fail and rancor.

[Scurrilous]

28. K & R

Obama is obviously a bad man.

[dionysus]

60. a very, very bad man.

[myrna minx]

29. We're an easy scapegoat and we don't know our place, I guess. n/t

[rug]

30. People were waiting for that bill since 1910?

[woo me with science]

31. You are right. nt

[Starry Messenger]

32. Hmm, where are all the "fixing it later" posters?

I was so looking forward to their insight on this today! Apparently the President doesn't seem to think there is anything to fix. Could they have possibly been misinformed?

[MadamAB]

35. Because his ego got too big?

Sometimes it happens. :(

[w8liftinglady]

36. there are only 7.8 million it effects in Texas....or doesn't effect

the number of adults and peds uninsured here.


That being said,I WAS able to add my 20 year-old to my policy.THAT's a good thing.my benefits cost 800/month...not so good.

[Individualist]

39. He's a New Democrat.

[BzaDem]

40. The vast majority of Democrats APPROVE of the bill. The people who don't like it are primarily

Republicans and right-leaning independents.

[Mimosa]

45. Where do you get these talking points?

Do you know lots of secure people who have affordable health insurance who aren't being squeezed by the high premiums, copays and deductibles?

[Lorien]

63. Fantasyland

that's where.

[rhett o rick]

54. When did you last take a poll. My health care costs have almost doubled.

The bill provides more people with health care (which is good) but to be paid for by an already strapped middle class. This bill will bankrupt more and more people making the burden on the remainder larger and larger. All the while the insurance companies rake off huge profits. Any plan that allows insurance rip offs will not work.

Health care via this bill is not sustainable, esp in this economy.

[Bluenorthwest]

56. There is a technique for dealing with complaints that is common

When a customer or client brings up an issue that is in fact bothering a great percentage of customers or clients, one school of thought teaches that the fist thing to say is "You are the first to mention this. Everyone else likes it." The cable company will tell you that you are the only one complaining about bundles and pricing. It is a tactic.
Of course, most who use this tactic will upon occasion spruce up the phrasing and look for new ways to sell it. Because after a time, customers and clients figure out that they are not the only one complaining or commenting.
"Gosh, all the Cool Kids love it! Get hip!" It is a subset of the 'bandwagon' method.

[Mimosa]

67. Ka-Ching!! "You are the first to mention this. Everyone else likes it.""

Bluenorthwest, back in the 80s I was a realtor in Atlanta (not a great fit, since I'm an artist by nature). I used to go to seminars to learn sales techniques and purchased the sets of materials to learn to 'help people decide'. ;) And there were common situations, and common objections, common resistances. The sales binders presented that answer (and others which were similar) to persuade buyers to 'say yes'.

"You are the first to mention this. Everyone else likes it" may in fact be a total lie, but it serves to undermine the client's objection by an appeal to conformity. In other words "You don't want to stick out and be a weirdo, do you?" *LOL* And in some sales material it was indeed called the 'bandwagon method'.

It's been so long since I was in sales I'd forgotten.


If somebody wants to sell me something, anything, they have to first answer the David Ogilvy question. You probably know who Ogilvy is, but for those who don't he was the 1950s father of modern advertising. And he had integrity. Anyway, Ogilvy always said anybody trying to sell something should answer the customer's question "What's in it for me?"

It's a legitimate question which relates to how a product or service would benefit the customer.

[ProudDad]

65. You forgot the majority of USAmericans who actually CARE

about providing comprehensive, effective Health Care to all persons living in USAmerica!

That execrable piece of shit give-away to the USAmerican Sick Care Industry wasn't it!

Over 70% of USAmericans wanted some form of single-payer or Enhanced and Improved Medicare for All...

Thanks for the bullshit talking points though...

[QC]

41. He blames liberals for everything. He's been at it a long time.

We're not supposed to notice the obvious pattern that is staring us right in the face and screaming at us and jumping up and down, though.

[amborin]

42. K&R and,

independents favored the P.O., too, b/c it would have held down price increases; and O wonders why they've abandoned him?

[chill_wind]

48. A mandate. Without a public option. Nope-- no potential for bigtime political backlash there.

:sarcasm:

[StarsInHerHair]

43. recc'd up to 62

nt

[Mimosa]

44. Health care reform (expanding Medicare or Public Option) was why most independents voted Obama

I know self-employed conservative types who are so squeezed by increasing health insurance premiums and deductibles they laid aside their prejudices and voted for Obama, believing he meant he'd stand up to special interests.

They are now the most angry and disappointed.

[laughingliberal]

46. K & R nt

[chill_wind]

49. He's been untruthful about this ever since the ink was dry and deed was done.

Obama to WAPO -Dec 22, 2009. "I didn't campaign on the public option."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=7300576#top

[amborin]

66. i'm waiting for him to say he didn't campaign on

repealing the bush tax cuts to the rich....

i mean, i'm kidding here, kind of....

[chill_wind]

69. I hear ya. After that thread on his snow job on HCR a year ago

nothing has surprised me since.

(figured you might remember that one particularly well :-)

[Cobalt-60]

50. he's been bought or threatened

Frankly I think it is the former.
There's nothing our fascist enemies can't offer.
If it were the latter I would have expected more fight.

[TheKentuckian]

51. One provision???? How about a national exchange? How about ending the anti-trust exemption?

How about ending the employer based chain around folks necks?

How about getting oversight and regulation out of the greased palms of the overwhelmed states?

How about some fucking price controls?

How about cost containment that does not put the yoke on the backs of the people, turning us all into little Death Panels of one in order to be "wise consumers of health care"?

How about keeping your word and not taxing benefits?

How about keeping your word and philosophy about mandates?

How about making sure all Americans have access to the exchanges?

How about not accepting corporate plans as a good baseline on coverage and cost?

How about not accepting over a hundred poison pill amendments form the TeaPubliKlans without gaining a single vote?

Mr President, your bill is industry designed corporate welfare that left the poisonous underlying system fully in place.

We can talk a public program too, once it isn't set up to fail by being a dumping ground for folks the insurance cartel sees as undesirable but something pretty much has to be there because the discipline of the cartel is excluding them from the exchanges, which they can't do against a united front.

There is very little hand here for us. Obama pretends not to grasp that the existing system is essentially inhuman and criminal natured and that a sweetener or two makes all well.

He ain't that stupid and consequentially, I am furious.

Hell, at this point if the sunshine comes down like rain, our "improvement" will be the public option working in a wholly corrupted system which will make it a cruel mockery of what is being begged for and it will just be another relief program for the insurance cartel to dump those find too costly to deal with.

We've already been herded into pointlessness because the underlying structure won't allow it to have a balanced enough pool to really work while our "leaders" are owned to actually bust the insurance companies down.
Kent Conrad is lying his monkey ass off, this set up is not steering this leech industry into any kind of utility type structure.

[Raine]

52. He has contempt and disgust for the people

that I guess he feels were stupid enough to believe in him, we were conned to easily for him to give us any respect. I guess it's kind of like not wanting to belong to any club that would have you as a member as Groucho Marx would say.

edit: typo

[EndElectoral]

55. What a massive dissapointment this guy has been to me!

[piratefish08]

57. I campaigned for him to fight the bullies.

Now he's becoming one of them.

[Poboy]

59. He continually puts up straw men of the left, to light them on fire.

He burns us in effigy to appease the GOP. He is a failure to us, and a whipping boy to them.

[Mimosa]

68. Too bad he doesn't understand that the GOP and the Tea partiers will NEVER like him.

No matter how much he sucks up to them by turning on us, their goal is to get Obama out in 2012. Obama cannot make them 'like him or hos watered down policies. They still insist he is a Marxist and a commie. Right wing people still claim the president is appointing leftists to the judiciary. *rolling eyes*

Obama is reminding me of a kid in high school who turned his back on all his former true friends in order to make a new set of rich, elite pals. The Richie Rich's secretly disdain the social climber.

[NorthCarolina]

62. K&R

[upi402]

70. Threw us into the fire from the frying pan

... thanks a lot Obama Democrats!
They could have made law to make the same damn abuses illegal. It's NOT reform.

The fact that his admin responds to Fox -coupled with his cabinet choices- tells ya everything.