Arianna is challenging the President to publicly support the public option

[bigdarryl]

I agree with her on this but you see the President listening to Rahm isn't going to do that which might come back and bite him in the ass politically. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-tv/arianna-if-obama-supports_b_495951.html

[saracat]

1. I wish he would. Who knows? Miracles could happen but it isn't likely.

[polichick]

2. She was on Ed's show about this tonight - but it's not likely the prez...

...will do that, since it's not likely Durbin is trying to stop the public option without WH support/direction.

[LakeSamish706]

3. Yep, I would love to see him come out and support it. I doubt we will see it either,

cause I'm not sure he is even for the PO.

[depakid]

4. I like the challenge- but it's already clear to me that the administration's not interested

and I have my doubts as to whether they ever were interested.

[ProSense]

5. Oh brother!

Arianna told Ed Schultz that she's convinced that if President Obama comes out and supports the public option, the Senate will support it. "It's clear that we can easily have 50 (votes), or even 53 (votes) provided the White House makes it clear that they want the public option."

Really? If the President supports it, it will happen? So if it doesn't happen, it's because he doesn't support it? What if it happens, does that mean he supports it?

What exactly is she proposing: that the President issue an ultimatum for a bill that she claims easily has 50 votes? If there are easily 50 votes, why doesn't the Senate simply make it happen?

[ima_sinnic]

11. an "ultimatum"? it's called using your gift of eloquent public speaking and persuasiveness

to make the public will so strong for the public option (since single payer just isn't a consideration for this cozy friend of insurance co. profit mongers) that the Senate would have to pass it (because, after all, the people in Congress are supposed to represent and reflect the will of We The People).
It's also called using your bully pulpit, and whatever leverage you have. Something Obama does not want to do because it might offend some poor widdle republicans and not be "bipartisan," the wishy-washy, sell-out timid thing he loves more than those silly voters who thought he might actually LEAD.

[denimgirly]

6. Nice to see all this new Hurrah for the PO...We need it.

[gateley]

7. Okay -- I ASSUMED (I know) that once Obama washed his hands of bipartisanship

and said to forge ahead with Reconciliation, he'd support PO -- that the ONLY reason he hadn't before was because of his quest to gain Repub votes.

Has he said he doesn't/won't support it?

I honestly thought Obama would pounce on this opportunity to go ahead with the PO.

[GreenArrow]

8. He just wants a bill passed.

Only this and nothing more. PO or no PO, no matter.

[gateley]

10. Yeah, you're probably right. Sigh. nt

[salguine]

13. "Bipartisanship" is just a code word for "making sure the status quo stays in place."

[jefferson_dem]

9. Hey Ev'rybody! Look at me!

[ima_sinnic]

12. yeah, what's wrong with her, why doesn't she just stfu and let the insurance co's take over?

sheesh.
and everything was working so well for them, with all this ineffective bipartisanship preventing any real hope and change from happening.
yes, heaven forbid that anybody but those with the big bucks get any attention.

[girl_interrupted]

14. Arianna's "Move your Money" has caught on like wildfire

It gave consumers a chance to tell the big banks where to go after getting shafted by them for so long. A lot of people took her advice and it really paid off for them. I noticed the other day Bank of America has decided to stop overdraft charges. Better to do that, then, to lose customers taking their money to credit unions & smaller local banks. Big banks are now going to have to earn their customers business, instead of taking it for granted.

Arianna has brought to light a lot of the big banks abuses. She was right to start the "Move your money" movement. As a democrat I wish it had been some one from our party who had thought of it, but as a consumer, I'm glad someone spoke up about it.

I really hope Obama takes Arianna up on her challenge. I think everyone would benefit from it. I'm grateful for people like Arianna & Elizabeth Warren & I hope Obama listens to both of them.