Who is Jonathan Chait?

[angelicwoman]

In the health care reform debate, some use Johnathan Chait of centrist The New Republic as A Voice of Reason.

Let us examine Chait's judgment in matters of such importance as the Iraq War and candidate endorsements. During 2002, Chait appeared at events with another war-monger (Kenneth Pollack) making the "liberal case for war" in Iraq.

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-856744/The-unconvincing-case-for-war.html

In 2004, Chait's The New Republic endorsed Joe Lieberman for the Democratic nomination. Not John Kerry, not Howard Dean...but Joe Lieberman.

It (TNR) applauded Lieberman's support for the war in Iraq and blasted Dean for throwing "red meat" to the party faithful in his criticism of Bush.

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/elec04.prez.lieberman.newrepublic/index.html


Johnathan Chait is not rallying for a public option-less health reform bills because he cares about the uninsured. He is rallying for it because he hates the Left. His judgment leaves a lot to be desired.

[RaleighNCDUer]

1. Thank you.

You don't know the players without a program. It's good to know what team they're playing for.

[babylonsister]

2. He hates the left? Then this is an odd thing to write...

http://dialogic.blogspot.com/2004/03/case-for-bush-hatred-mad-about-you-by.html

"The Case For Bush Hatred: Mad About You" by Jonathan Chait

And btw, I think you're way off.

[depakid]

3. Senior Editor at the New Republic

Longtime advocate for "new" Democrat policies.

Basically, a Rockefeller Republican who likes taking swipes at traditional Democratic values and the candidates and people who support them.

[ProSense]

4. The guy who wrote

this spot on article.

[CreekDog]

5. He's been wrong as has the New Republic, but on Health Care reform he makes few mistakes

and knows the topic perhaps better than most analysts/journalists.

it may be valid to bring up his opinion on the Iraq War, but this is different because his observations of the health care system are based on facts.