President Obama: what is the strategy re: healthcare?

[NJGeek]

I'm just not seeing it.

He needs to get bold, specific, and start directing this thing. It will fall off the rails if he doesn't lead.

[Clio the Leo]

1. And piss off the Blue Dogs in the process?

Love them or hate them, we NEED them on board or we get NOTHING.

[NJGeek]

4. I don't believe that.

Many of them were elected or re-elected because of Obama's popularity. He only needs 50 votes -- FIVE ZERO.

[Clio the Leo]

8. He only needs 50 votes in the ENTIRE CONGRESS?

.... nooooo. ;)

And he was also elected, in part, because the constituents in the districts that the Blue Dogs represent weren't keen on the crazy old GOP dude and his gun-toting VP bimbo.

When they cast their vote for him, they were fiscally conservative voters .... and they still are.

I would GLADLY pay a bit more taxes if it meant better health care for the poor .... you might feel the same .... we are in the VERY SMALL minority.

Support for his handeling of health care has slipped a bit because folks perceive it's going to cost to much (whether those fears are legit is beside the point.) He had to handle that meme.

And tonight, he did that.

As for showing the Congress who the Boss was, well .... that's why the good Lord made telephones and cocktails and allowed both of them to exist in the White House. He's not gonna win friends and supporters in the Congress by calling them out on national tv.

[MichiganVote]

2. He is leading. He is making Congress work for a living instead of just eat for nothing.

[bluestateguy]

3. "what is the strategy re: healthcare?"

That's classified.

Obama is smarter than you (or me).

[NJGeek]

5. must be - i just don't get it

if we had a strategy we could push this thing, netroots and concerned citizens. media would be checked.

we have no clear direction or leadership on this thing. maybe he is building up a straw man to knock down for single payer to replace but i doubt it.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Yeah...he didn't have a strategy for winning the election either....

so they said. :shrug:

[RandomThoughts]

7. Frenchie I like alot of your post, you seem to see something I do also.

Many people think day to day. And every day the news of that day erases everything in their mind from the day before. I think this is intentional, since it keeps people from thinking.

But it seems many of your comments seem to take a view that encompasses more then just the daily news cycle. I like that about your posts.

[Clio the Leo]

9. You might want to check out.......

http://www.barackobama.com/

It gives info on something the President just kinda threw together....... TWO YEARS AGO!!! lol

[Better Believe It]

10. President Obama is letting Congress lead on this.

That's the strategy.

And whatever they come up with in a House/Senate conference, if anything, he will support.

That's why President Obama won't explain what kind of public option he wants Congress to want pass.

Does he favor the House and Senate public option proposals that will exclude most people?

Does he want a strong public option that will be available to everyone?

Does he favor a public option that will give the private insurance industry a "level playing field"?

Is President Obama against taxing the health care benefits of working people and does have favor mandating employers and individuals to buy private health insurance or be fined?

He won't say. And he apparently isn't making any demands on Democrats in Congress.

-----------------------------------------

One Democratic senator told CNN that some congressional Democrats are "baffled," and another senior Democratic source told CNN that those members are frustrated that that they're not getting more specific direction from him on health care.

"We appreciate the rhetoric and his willingness to ratchet up the pressure but what most Democrats on the Hill are looking for is for the president to weigh in and make decisions on outstanding issues," the senior Democratic congressional source said.

"Instead of sending out his people and saying the president isn't ruling anything out, members would like a little bit of clarity on what he would support -- especially on how to pay for his health reform bill," the source added.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/22/health.reform/

-------------------------------

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Tonight’s presser:

Will Obama be able to articulate specific policy proposals on health care that he’s for, or will we hear more of the same chatter on his principles? Repetition is always important to pushing a message, but one of the things that may be slowing down the process in Congress is that the president hasn't come out publicly on the specifics. He won't even say if he's OK with the millionaires' surtax or not; whether a co-op is enough to fulfill his "public option" promise; or what amount of "virtually" universal coverage is satisfactory. Other issues will also come up tonight, including the stimulus and the economy in general, perhaps Iraq, Afghanistan, GITMO, and the Bush-era investigation issue. But health care should dominate.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/22/2004093.aspx

One political pundit said that "members of Congress really like President Obama, they don't fear him". They feared LBJ and FDR.

[RBInMaine]

15. Unfair assessment. Congress is the lawmaking branch. They SHOULD be leading on this.

[alcibiades_mystery]

20. This is a fucking lie

"whatever they come up with in a House/Senate conference, if anything, he will support."

As he detailed quite clearly last night, he set clear parameters for what he would sign and what he wouldn't sign. Your statement i9s a straight out fucking lie. And we know what that makes you.

[RBInMaine]

11. He is now CLEARLY framing the debate. That is what is first most important. (MORE):

He is clearly framing this as:

1) If you try to kill healthcare you are for NOTHING, just an unsustainable status quo MUCH worse than doing reform and which will break the country. (Great clarity and defining the sides of the debate.)

2) That healthcare reform is a huge part of long-term economic success and deficit reduction.

3) This is NOT about playing politics but rather about the American people !

So, he did GREAT clearly DEFINING the debate and the stakes. DEMS AND OBAMA AND ALL OF US NEED TO RELENTLESSLY HAMMER THESE THEMES !! We need these themes in ads, blogging, lettes, calls, etc.

Now, I agree he needs to continue to work closely with Congress to get something decent passed and play at least more of quarterback role. But also remember he was smart allowing Congress, the LAWMAKING branch, to take the lead after he outlined braod parameters because Clinton made the mistake of taking too big a lead last time without nearly enough legislative input. So he is already adjusting on that as well.

[Better Believe It]

12. He's letting Congress write the bill within the broad framework of passing something that is better

than nothing!

Long and windy on rhetoric and short on specifics.

[RBInMaine]

14. Actually, I amend that. Pretty specific parameters. Remember, Congress makes law, not

the Prez. Clinton got shit on bigtime because he essentially drove the whole process last time. Now Obama is taking a more middle road course. He is letting Congress drive the process with his close consultation. Christ, the guy has met with congressional group upon congressional group. Also, if he had simply introduced a bill, the GOP and others would be tearing it all apart. He is playing it right. Lay out the objectives, but have the LAWMAKERS hammer out the fine print, as it should be.

[Better Believe It]

16. President Obama has no problem introducing other bills!

So why President Obama letting the blue dog and "centrist" Democrats take charge and write the health care bill while he submits legislation on other important issues?

One would think that after letting three Senate Republicans write the stimulus bill President Obama would have learned his lesson!

[livetohike]

13. A good leader does not dictate what to do

After 8 years of Bush, Americans may think this is the way to lead. Pres. Obama has some parameters which he explained last night, but he is letting Congress put together the bill.

If you watched the news conference, then you would know some of the general points:

*No one can be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition

*No one will lose their coverage if they lose/quit their job

*If you like your present health insurance, you can keep it

*No one will be kicked out of their coverage because they are "too ill"

The details are not for Pres. Obama to hammer out. Hopefully, the specifics will be made known by the end of the year.

[Better Believe It]

17. How bout if President Obama indicates what he'd like to see in the bill?

That would be nice. The general public, perhaps even members of Congress, would like to know where he stands.

Do you think that would make President Obama a bully or dictator?

[livetohike]

18. I believe he did say what he wanted to see in the bill

I listed them in my previous post.

[alcibiades_mystery]

21. He absolutely DID say what he wants to see

Better Believe it is letting his Obama Hate turn him into a fu8cking liar.

[Better Believe It]

22. So he wants to see a bill that is not being proposed by Congress?

[alcibiades_mystery]

24. You weren't listening

Or you were and you're lying. You can play your little dishonest games all day. I got what I wanted to say about your bullshit on record.

Salud.

[livetohike]

23. I should no better, after 5 years on DU

:-) But I don't see how Pres. Obama could have been any clearer. As far as the details of how this will happen.....it's a work in progress.

[oviedodem]

19. It was always HOPE & PRAY.