h/t Instapundit for this link to AmericaBlog. I was going to take exception to the notion that Obama wasn't willing to fight for the public option. Then I took a minute to think about it. Afterward, I realized the answer to Sudbay's question becomes somewhat obvious.
... how nonsensical it sounds to say, Obama really thinks the public option is "the best possible choice," but he won't fight for it. Maybe they think that messaging works. It doesn't. Sounds weak. If he's not going to fight for the "best possible choice," what will he fight for? That's the question I have.
Obama cajoled, lobbied, even arm-twisted for it. What he didn't do is come out strongly himself and say, this is what I want because it's what he thinks we need. So, why not?
Because he might still lose.
So, what will Obama fight for? Anything he knows he can win ahead of time, or something that won't damage his image if he loses. That's my take, any way. I'm not sure it says good things about his so-called leadership if he's always going to put his own ambitions and image before anything else. But I do think that's precisely what the left got with Obama.
Audacious? Well, in the mirror, perhaps. But when it comes to his leadership, not so much. And I think we can write bold and new off, as well.
No, he fought to bring the Olympics to Chicago, and he lost that. Which proves that 0 will fight for something even when there's a chance he won't win!
Posted by: MGCC | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12:32 AM
RIGHT-on, Dan.
Yeah, he wanted a P.O. bad... but not only will he not put anything on the line for it, all these monstrous bills like Porkulus and this are (a) delegated to Congressional leaders as much as possible, and (b) preferred to be with at least a facade of bipartisanship (even if down to one Snowe flake)- of course to provide this wormy WH maximum political cover and potential scapegoats when thing don't go to plan.
Barack takes care of Barack- first and foremost. There are never any goals or principles that outweigh that- like all narcissists.
"MGCC" mentions the Olympics above... but that one was simply an error in judgement; this arrogant, isolated egomaniac thought he had that one in the bag- so he went in for the dunk. Plus, he owes a lot of people in The Machine favors... and if anyone in this country has the dirt that could bring him down, that would be them. Might not have had much of a choice, facing the prospect of Rezko stories starting to surface mysteriously...
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 02:07 AM
"Present"
Posted by: xerocky | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 06:26 AM
Well, BHO certainly won't fight, but that needn't preclude less savory victories.
Posted by: smitty | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Obama won't fight for a public option = the Dems do not have the votes for a public option.
Becareful here. Even without the public option (now) the Dems can craft a plan that results in private health care erroding to Stage IV cancer in a few years and the public option coming then.
Posted by: Joe | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 08:08 AM
I was just at Antietam battlefield. learned alot about General McClellan. He to was good at everything in getting ready for battle, but could'nt pull the trigger, unless he knew he was going to win. Most likely could of ended the war at that battle, but seemed to worry about looking bad, if he lost.
Posted by: plainslow | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Teh One and 'leadership' in the same sentence is a cosmic-scale joke.
A true leader has no need for whips and clubs, or thugs.
The Great Overseer is no commander.
Posted by: CPT. Charles | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Riehl World, now PUMA-powered!
http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/the-buck-stops-where/
It's about damn time they figured out we knew what in the hell we were talking about.
Posted by: Jimboaloney | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12:07 PM
This is when it is the best time to strike. He is stumbling we must make sure he falls before he destroys our country.
Now is the time to hunker down and not spend. Go Galt as much as possible because the only thing that will save the Dems now is if they can fake some good economic news. Obama is depending on conservatives to work that much harder. If we just stand back his whole house of cards will collapse. When it does we must be ready to make sure the Dems can never recover for generations.
Posted by: southdakotaboy | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
There's going to be a public option of some sort. Count on it - that vast majority of Democrats are for one. It may take the form of allowing states to opt-out - but a public option will be in the final bill.
Remember, up or down vote or it's the Nuclear Option!
Posted by: WPE | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Obama won't fight for his health care plan. To do so will engender debate. He cannot win that debate, because that will involve details and 2 voices. All the fux know is bully thug tactics. Send out your two hatchet men to whine like little girls about FOX. Don't debate any facts. Attack Rush Limbaugh. Don't debate him. Wine and Dine libtard media types. Give them access to Opie, conference call with them. Get them to PARROT your talking points, but HELL NO, Opie won't debate, because he is a lying wind bag and the debate would involve details. Nah, just cut deals with Big Pharma and AARP (illegal quid pro quo deals). Tell them to slander those who oppose you, and give them $$$ incentives to do so.
This Administration will end in the biggest downfall in our countries history. Not only are they dishonest and corrupt, but they are incapable of honest debate and they are incompetent.
Posted by: gus | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 12:48 PM
I have no doubt that there are millions of Americans who support healthcare reform of some kind. In fairness, Republicans have been trying to chip away at Medicare for generations with plans for Health savings accounts and efforts in the private sector. Democrats have been pushing for a government-run plan for generations. Conservatives have been calling for tort reform for decades. Liberals have been insisting that we move toward a single-payer model since the Great Depression. Americans clearly want something to be done in regards to healthcare reform, but does this mean that they want an entirely new system or to hand over the current system to the federal government? Of course not.
Americans want the best value for their healthcare dollar; they want competition, they want choices; they want to know that their doctors and health professionals have their best interest in mind; they want affordable healthcare coverage; and they want to be able to refrain from purchasing it if they so choose. The truth is we do genuinely need healthcare reform on some level, but assuming that the public option is the something that all Americans are asking for is simply misguided and deceptive. Just because Americans want something does not for a second mean that they want Everything.
http://republicanredefined.com/2009/10/19/something-start-meaning-public/
Posted by: T Christopher | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 01:21 PM
OFA is having a 'call your Reps' Party tomorrow complete with a webcast visit from Nero himself. I know I will be calling mine tomorrow and letting them know that astroturfing is astroturfing whether in person or on the phone and since they hear from me on a regular basis that is not what I am doing and suggest they ask the callers if they know what OFA stands for and if so, just throw those notes in the round bin.
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaforamerica/gGMm7h
He will fight his way... wolf in sheep's clothing... and then say it was a mandate from the people.
Posted by: Joan in Juneau | Monday, October 19, 2009 at 06:22 PM