Krugman: The speech

[ProSense]

The speech

I couldn’t watch it from my undisclosed location, so I can’t judge the delivery. But the text is good. It comes pretty close to doing what I hoped it would: personalizes the issue (though I would have done more), invokes Medicare (although I would have talked more about Medicare’s enemies), talks about the system’s problems.

Most reactions seem positive — and most important, since this is a political gambit, early polling looks favorable.

Republican bad manners may also matter quite a lot, given the media’s tendency to focus on theater.

Could Obama have given this speech in, say, February? Of course. Should he have? Probably. But it’s still good to have it now.

Incidentally, the speech included a very clear explanation of the need for an individual mandate. I agree.

Will this do the trick? It’s easy to be skeptical — how much difference can a speech make, anyway? But the big problem on health care these past few months has been the sense that Obama had lost control of the issue — that the shouters and cynics had taken over the debate. Now, finally, we have some leadership and clarity from the president.

And maybe this is all it takes to turn the tide.

[ixion]

1. I disagree with Mr. Krugman and Mr. Obama about the 'need' for mandatory insurance

for the record, it is my opinion that this will aid only insurance companies.

[ProSense]

3. Not with a public option. n/t

[Demit]

Yes. A mandate without PO would be a criminal giveaway, but the two together create the balance

that will lead to successful reform.

[johnaries]

20. Exactly! Thank you! nt

[BlooInBloo]

2. Obviously Krugman is nothing but a sell-out, and completely beholden to the insurance companies.

[pampango]

6. Most times around here, it seems that the reputation of a politician, economist, activist, etc. is

only as good as his/her most recent statement, vote, or post. "What have you done for me lately", I guess. :)

[berni_mccoy]

4. Well, there are going to be heads exploding at DU today. Krugman supports Obama

What will Krugman's fans here do now that Krugman liked Obama's speech?

[BlooInBloo]

5. Pretend it doesn't exist.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. Spin it to the point where they say Krugman calls for Obama's resignation. (nt)

[ThatPoetGuy]

8. Oh, fercrissakes.

Krugman has supported Obama about 90% of the time since he won the Democratic nomination. It was President Obama's more fervent supporters who created the false image of a Krugman who opposed everything Obama did. Krugman has always been more nuanced than that, and he has always stood behind the same principles.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. If this speech were given in February, it would be completely forgotten by now.

We still wouldn't have a bill, we'd still be exactly where we are today, and we'd have squandered one of the greatest policy speeches ever given. This is why Krugman doesn't run for office.

This speech could only have been given at this stage in the game. Republicans haven't got much left to fire at him, the town halls of August are over, and now he's got the public fully on his side heading into the final decision by Congress.

[Beetwasher]

14. Correct, The Timing Is Perfect, You Roll Out Your Product After Labor Day

n/t

[Flabbergasted]

23. Exactly. Krugman is definately wrong on at least this point. nt

[WilliamPitt]

10. Well, that sucks.

:P

;)

:)

[Vidar]

11. Mandated insurance is wrong

[leftstreet]

13. Is it even legal?

I can understand mandated auto insurance, but we can choose not to drive.

:shrug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. Technically speaking, you can choose not to see doctors too.

There are people who do that.

[leftstreet]

16. So if you "choose not to see doctors" the mandate doesn't apply?

:shrug:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. I think I misunderstood your point about auto insurance.

Thought you were saying it was legal to mandate auto insurance because you could choose not to drive.

[Vidar]

18. Probably too logical a point for the politicians.

[grantcart]

19. You can opt out of car insurance if you can demonstrate financial capability

to withstand substantial financial damages.

[DevonRex]

12. What else could we expect from Kool-Aid-drinker Krugman?

:rofl:

And yes, that was sarcasm.

[Greyhound]

21. He has accepted the inevitable, and why not?

He's rich and he's famous and he will never have to worry about getting the care he needs.

[applegrove]

22. I hope Krugman is right and the tide turns. Americans need health care

that is efficient and equal. Obama's plan will do both.