Why reformers are losing on health care -- and how they can win back the debate

[Triana]

After two weeks of town hall protests and support for Obama's health bill slipping in the polls, advocates of reform are losing the initiative.

What can the reform movement do to get back on track?

Chris Kromm of the Institute and Facing South looks into what's going wrong -- and what advocates need to do to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity for reform:

http://bit.ly/kY1KL

Here's an excerpt:

"Health reform isn't being debated in the country's TV screens and town halls -- it's being swift-boated.

"But reform advocates can't count on point-by-point fact checks to change the debate -- or complaining about the other side's unfair tactics. The larger issue is that they're losing a political power struggle.

"At the end of the day, the future of health care reform will turn on whether advocates can channel the political clout of the millions who stand to benefit from reform."

What do you think?

- Chris, Desiree, Jerimee and Sue for Facing South

[onestepforward]

1. Distract & Attack

This is a classic tactic that the right uses on their talk shows and with their politicians.

Distract from the facts (they cannot win with the facts so they change the topic with lies.)
Attack (to rally their angry base for support, put the opposition on defense and build on the distraction.)

We must stay focused on our goal of health care for all Americans. This will deflect the distraction. The article stated what I thought is so critical:

"Pro-reform advocates will only succeed when they fully harness their biggest strength: power in numbers."

We have the numbers.

Thank you for posting this!