Remember Harry and Louise? The lobbyists dream team to submarine health care reform? The Obama team is saying Not This Time. In essence, the gamble is that the same grass roots support that propelled the Obama victory at the polls will help push through the reforms the health lobby does not want to see.
Even before taking office or introducing concrete policy proposals, the administration-in-waiting is moving to build public support around the broad notion that the U.S. health system needs an overhaul. To Washington veterans, the approach may seem backward, or even naive, but Obama is betting that the energetic, technology-savvy supporters who fueled his candidacy will act as a potent counterbalance to the traditionally powerful special interests that have defeated similar reform efforts.
