I like President Obama. I worry that ultimately he'll be a weak president

[cali]

and it's actions, or rather non-actions like this that demonstrate to me that my worry is based in reality.


W.H. didn’t make calls backing public option
By J. Taylor Rushing and Sam Youngman - 10/02/09 06:09 AM ET

The White House did not lobby senators on the Finance Committee before they rejected two amendments that would have added a public option to the panel’s healthcare reform plan.

The lack of political pressure from President Barack Obama and his lieutenants is the latest indication of the White House’s lagging interest in passing healthcare reform that calls for a large government role.

Despite consistently calling for the idea of a government-run health plan to keep pressure on private companies, Senate leaders say neither the president nor any White House officials lobbied Democrats on the Finance Committee, which voted down two public option amendments offered by Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday.

Both Schumer, who is vice chairman of the Democratic Conference, and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) say they are unaware of any phone calls from the administration to Finance Democrats to push for a successful vote on the amendments.

The White House’s silence calls into question the administration’s commitment to a public option plan at a time when the idea is teetering in the upper chamber. Schumer and other Democrats also expressed frustration with the administration’s lack of effort.

snip

http://thehill.com/news-by-subject/healthcare/61289-wh-didnt-make-calls-on-public-option

[babylonsister]

1. We saw it posted the first time. And just maybe they're holding their fire

til it gets to conference, realizing their 'opinion' would be useless in this committee. I think Ed Shultz suggested as much yesterday.

Rockefeller did something similar yesterday, recognizing the futility.

But don't let that falling sky hit you.


http://washingtonindependent.com/61992/rockefeller-withdraws-amendment-to-force-insurers-to-spend-more-on-care

Rockefeller Withdraws Amendment to Force Insurers to Spend More on Care
By Mike Lillis 10/1/09 6:32 PM

Earlier today, we previewed an effort by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) to require insurance companies to dedicate a minimum share of premium revenues to health care delivery, as opposed to administrative costs, profits and executive pay. Moments ago, the West Virginia Democrat made his case for the amendment, then withdrew it. The Congressional Budget Office, he said, hasn’t scored it yet.

It wouldn’t have passed anyway. Aside from Republican opposition, which would almost certainly be unanimous, Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) said he wouldn’t support the measure either. The underlying bill, Bingaman argued, already addresses the most egregious industry abuses.

[cali]

3. holding their fire. no, I don't see it that way

I think Obama has a hard time really putting it all on the line or going all in or however you wish to say it. I hope I'm wrong. I doubt that I am.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. It's hard to put it all on the line...

...when your own party--which controls both houses of the legislature--can't even unite.

It's worse than a parliamentarian government where some PM is required to build coalitions because at least the various parties are labelled going in.

Here we have to contend with 2 parties--1 of which is obstructionist--and the other is so divided that the obstructionists win by default.

[Thrill]

2. First time in history people are worrying about a President

weighing in on committee amendments.

What matters is he weighs in when its time to reconcile the bills and in conference committee.

[dionysus]

7. it's funny. a lot of the people (not the OP) who blasted obama supporters with the god and messiah

shit, seem to think he should have some god-like ability to dictate everything personally, and throw tantrums when he doesn't...

[Hansel]

22. Good point.

It's not that hard to understand, yet some here are bound and determined not to.

Obama believes in the separation of the branches of government? Wow, what a refreshing concept.

[Viking12]

4. Frankly, there's been a disappointing lack of leadership on numerous issues

[freddie mertz]

5. I just posted this too.

I think it is a troubling report.

[peace13]

6. Worry is not productive and harms your brain. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

8. He also got Chicago eliminated in the first pick as the Olympic Site for 2016!

He is weak as water, that guy! :sarcasm:

[cali]

9. yes, yes. that' s exactly what I said. not.

look, your dogged devotion to Obama is rather sweet, but brooking no criticism of him whatsoever- as you do, is just lame.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Try not to get personal; this is just a discussion board.....

Thanks.

[Forkboy]

13. Yes, that's exactly what cali was talking about.

:eyes:

[Aramchek]

12. do you remember when you said i was wrong for claiming you are cynical?

well, you prove me right daily.

Next time you post a thread, ask yourself "Am I being a little extreme in my negativity?"

[blindpig]

14. Weak? Depends...

He's doing a fine job of standing up against the great unwashed, faced down a majority of the public who wanted single payer. The corps who vetted and financed him are no doubt clinking their champagne glasses.
"Well done, my good man, well done!"

[chimpymustgo]

21. What you said.

[dave29]

15. Some people will never be happy

good for them

[TwilightGardener]

16. I guess we won't know until it all plays out.

[kestrel91316]

17. Have you EVER ONCE posted a single positive thing about Obama?

You spend every day bitching about him, whining and moaning.

Some of us are not impressed.

[mvd]

18. Just speaking as a poster, I've seen her defend Obama quite a few times

I also try to only criticize the President when it truly warrants it. There has been concern among Democrats about lack of Presidential support for the public option, but I'm going to wait until the final bill comes. If there's no support then, I will be unhappy. Now, I'm cautiously optimistic that there will be a public option in the final bill - both Pelosi and Reid have said so.

[Enrique]

24. you should take that back

you are mistaken about this OP and you should apologize.

[cali]

26. and some of you- specifically you- don't pay much attention.

I've written far, far more good things about Obama than negative ones.

[laugle]

27. I think you are

using your critical thinking skills and should be commended for it!

So far Obama does seem weak and ineffective, but I'm going to give him until the mid-terms, by that time we will all know where he stands......

"The road to ruin, is paved with good intentions!" Results are the only thing that matters..........

[Vattel]

19. I don't know what to make of this.

The facts you cite certainly support the claim that Obama's support of the public option has been less than firm and unwavering. If that claim is true, then the question is why? Is it because he's not playing smart politics, or is it because he has calculated that a bill with a strong public option has no chance of passing, or is it becasue, in his heart of hearts, he has doubts about the wisdom of the public option? I wonder whether he is worried about the impact a strong public option might have on the economy. If private insurers cannot compete, then they lose business and a useless but currently very healthy industry declines rapidly. I'm not sure what is going on.

[Beetwasher]

20. Yeah, I Mean Why Doesn't He Just "Eliminate" All His Opposition?

We need a real hard ass who will stop at nothing to ram his agenda through, methods be damned! Line 'em up and mow 'em down then put their heads on pikes in front of the WH. :sarcasm:

I'll judge his efficacy on the HC issue when there's something to judge it against. Until then, worrying is mere wasted energy.

I mean it's not like he's up against the most powerfully entrenched special interests in the history of the planet or something, is it?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/01/lobbyists-millions-obama-healthcare-reform

[budkin]

23. He's been uber weak on the health care issue for sure

[Enrique]

25. it doesn't make him weak

I agree it looks like he isn't totally committed to this issue. That doesn't make him weak.