Legal Commentary

Health Care Reform And Obama's Theory Of Change

By Big Tent Democrat

On what has become the signature issue of the first year of his Presidency, health care reform, What Obama Really Meant with his theory of change will likely be answered. From my December 2007 post, E.J. Dionne:

Clinton[] claims that her experience readies her for the coming battles for change that all Democrats devoutly wish to wage. . . . The Edwards campaign is . . . appealing to the many Democrats who are in a fighting mood.

But Obama is running as the candidate who can transcend these fights. . . . Clearly but obliquely referring to Edwards, Obama preached that anger won't cut it, either. "There's no shortage of anger and bluster and bitter partisanship out there," he said. "We can change the electoral math that's been all about division and make it about addition."

(Emphasis supplied.) What about the policy math Mr. President? The Fix writes:

The White House has long believed that the average voter is less concerned about whether large numbers of Republicans support the Administration's priorities than whether the President is making an honest effort to attract GOP support.

This sounds ominous. To wit, if Cilizza is right, Obama believes that "the average voter" just cares about Obama capitulating to Republicans. I hope Cilizza has this wrong. Clearly that is what Max Baucus thinks. Hope Obama does not agree.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 16, 2009 (boomark / email).