TW: Obama is taking fire from the left. Not surprising and it is about time. Fire from the left is far better than fire from the right. It helps re-frame the debate towards the interests of progressives rather than interests of the loud neo-con, Hooverite, insecure Limbovian, Fox loving Palin adherents. That said some help for those on the left is needed as they are somewhat confused about life in power.
From Robert Reich's latest fretful blogpost:
"...Universal health care is President Obama's biggest issue..."
TW: NO NO NO!!! Universal health care is not even in Obama's top five maybe not top ten of issues. Hard-core liberals have wanted universal health care since Truman, it is their issue not the rest of America's. It is the right thing to do. But the vast majority of Americans have coverage to ask them to pay higher taxes just to create universal coverage is not and has never been realistic.
Universal care is a morally relevant and useful component of overall health care reform. Health care reform is needed to reduce the growth in health care spending which threatens to overwhelm the American economy, this IS the Obama and America's high priority. What the health care reform bill must do is create the basis by which health care costs can be more effectively managed in the future. Universal care is one component of this effort not THE issue.
Again from Reich:
"Sally [Reich's Dem friend] also doesn't see why Obama is so bent on bipartisanship."Republicans haven't helped him a bit so far, won't help him, and he doesn't need their votes, so why compromise with them?"
TW: Obama does not necessarily need a bunch of Republican votes but he most definitely needs "Blue Dog" or moderate/conservative Dem votes. The negotiations are not about satisfying grumpy old farts like Chuck Grassley, it is very much about retaining the Blue Dogs.
Liberal Dems forget that not all Dems are elected from majority Dem districts. Folks forget the Blue Dogs are not merely some recalcitrant bloc from deep blue districts and states. They are Dems elected in purple and red districts and states who wish to retain their seats (the rest of the Dems better hope they retain their seats as well). The Democratic party and Obama must respect their positions or the Dems will neither pass significant bills (health care, energy policy etc.) nor retain their strong majorities. There is a delicate line to be tread integrating the Blue Dog needs with progressive agendas but this is the reality of democracy.
From Peter Suderman at Reason via Sullivan's blog:
"...No, I don't think this is a failure of leadership so much as a feature of democratic politics -- and a reminder of how unpleasant and unsatisfying to nearly everyone the business of politics can be.
Democratic politics is a messy business. It's disorganized and frantic and unpredictable and frustrating. Politics is a matter of shouting, and dissent, and deal-making, and strategy, and slippery rhetoric, and compromise. It is not a matter of deciding on the "right" policy and then making it so -- even when your party controls the White House, the House, and the Senate. "
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