Read the Article at HuffingtonPost
My comment.
Washington Post: “Democrats have a large enough majority to pass bills without any GOP support, but they are grappling with internal divisions …Obama would like at least some Republican backing on key measures …”
There are several issues here.
First, In terms of health care and other major Obama agenda items, the country favors the Obama proposals. On health care this would include the public option.
Second, if this is the case, Blue Dog Democrats will need to think very carefully about going against the President. They could well be outflanked by Obama-favoring candidates in the future.
Third, the same goes for Repubicans who oppose the President. They face outright defeat at the hands of Democrats whose election will increase the current majority.
The difference between now and the past, when off-year elections went to the party out of power, is that the GOP is bereft of anything but ridicule and negation. They can argue the fiscal POV. But this is dicey because we may need for even further government commitment to move toward a new economy.
All told, the President is being pushed toward more progressive positions. Happily, these are positions he has always held. Both Blue Dogs and Republicans should see that they are potentially the losers if they oppose the Obama Agenda.
PS: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO EVERONE WILL HAVE TO SUFFER?
The President made it plain that Health Care Reform would “tax” everyone some. He did not use the forbidden word; He meant everyone would have to suffer some, to achieve the universality we need and the fiscal stability that is necessary. Now we see people saying not me. Sorry. He meant everyone. I have little doubt that this need for mutual sacrifice will be a major note of the President’s efforts to resolve this when he is back from his travels.
Jeremy Hoover said,
July 9, 2009 at 8:40 am
This is great, Stephen. I agree: With 60 Dems now, there are no more excuses. It’s time to start governing for the people. It’s time to start calling out these Dems who act as though the Republicans are still the party in power. It’s time to call out the media when they suggest the same. When poll after poll indicates the people want change, it’s time to change! Fired up!
Bobby said,
July 10, 2009 at 7:02 am
You can’t be more wrong! The latest polls show that people do NOT want more government spending and while they want changes in health care, they do NOT want government run health care, the very kind we will get under Obama. This is from the most recent Gallop and other polls. Also the daily tracking poll now shows that 38% STRONGLY disagree with Obama while 31% strong agree. Therefore a majority now DISAGREE with the current administration. Please do your homework before you write this stuff!!!!
stephencrose said,
July 10, 2009 at 7:20 am
“More wrong” is a stretch. I wrote this with the wind at my back in terms of broad support for a public option. I have consistently acknowledged people’s problem with fiscal issues aka big government. The President is going to win this one I believe and it will be because the Organizing for America Movement is still alive. It may not be everything he sought but there wlll be a bill and if the public option is not there, then we can talk being wrong without the exclamation points.