Pssst, Don’t Worry, It’s the Other Guys We’re Gonna Dupe
Building Trust. Playing Both Sides.
Washington,
Mar 5 -
President Obama and Democrat leadership are in full court press mode to convince their members to walk the plank on a government takeover of health care. And both sides of the caucus are exasperated at the situation they’re in one year after this debate began.
Yesterday, Obama spent some time trying to shore up support in the ultra-liberal wing of his party. Afterwards, some champions of the public option let it be known that Obama is promising them that the government-run plan is not dead. It’s actually next.
“He also told the liberals in their meeting Thursday that he would work with them to try to build support for the public option and perhaps pass it as separate legislation in the future, according to Grijalva and Barbara Lee, D-Calif., who both attended the meeting. ‘He indicated this was a foundation, that this was a first step,’ Lee said.” (CQ, 3/4/10)
So the current bill is just a foundation for the “robust" public option demanded by liberals, which is itself just the precursor to a single-payer system (i.e. private insurance disappears and the government ultimately controls every aspect of your health care).
But wait, wouldn’t that alienate the more moderate Democrats, looking for assurances that the President’s not really looking to blow up our health care system and federal deficits? Don’t worry. Blue Dogs are getting the sweet nothings in their ears too, just at separate meetings. Like this one on Wednesday:
“The bulk of the 31 invitees? Fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, many of whom are targets for party leaders hoping to switch a handful of “no” votes to the House health care bill last fall to “yes” votes on Obama’s final proposal. In fact, three of nine key Democrats who opposed the House bill but remain on the fence on Obama’s bill will be in attendance: Reps. John Tanner (Tenn.), Frank Kratovil (Md.) and Scott Murphy (N.Y.).” (Roll Call, 3/4/10)
And all along the way, those Democrats who respect human life are getting assurances from none other than abortion rights champion Nancy Pelosi. How ironic.
“Let me say this: This is not about abortion!” (Politico, 3/4/10)
Of course, beyond the House divisions and the White House’s odd promises, there’s that other little problem of trust within the Capitol. Mr. Sound Bite himself, Anthony Weiner, may have put it most succinctly.
“We don’t trust the Senate to do anything they say they’re going to do.” (The Daily Caller, 3/4/10)
Here’s an even better question: should they trust their own leadership?
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