The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : Obama's Problem With the Left

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As I noted yesterday, Obama needs to begin the process of getting liberals to accept less out of health care legislation if he wants to get something passed, even if it means giving up his coveted government option. In one sense, he did that last night, by telling the left that the government-run plan was not the only part of his proposal, and they should be open to compromises, such as the creation of non-profit co-ops. But while liberals are happy this morning, it isn't because they're willing to accept such a compromise, it's because he once again dodged the issue by maintaining his support for the government plan.

Following the speech liberal activist group USAction praised Obama, but like others on the left, reiterated that a government plan was a must.

"We support the President in his call for genuine health care reform and that means fixing the real health care challenges that the American people face," William McNary, the group's president, said in a statement. But he also warned that, "Without a public health insurance option, the health insurance companies win and the American people lose."

It remains to be seen whether Obama can contain the backlash among liberals should he and the Democratic leadership formally dump the government plan, and then actually convince liberal members of Congress to vote for scaled-back legislation.

View all comments (3) | Leave a comment

ncatty| 9.10.09 @ 3:11PM

The left is not happy about that US flag lapel pin the Prez wore during the speech. Too Bush-like.

JP| 9.10.09 @ 3:36PM

The President says one thing, but it is the House that must be watched. Remember, the WH never offered thier own version of the bill, and the Senate is happy with to allow Pelosi and crew write the details.

I think the President's strategy from here on out is to simply lie. In a strict sense, the public option, abortion funding, etc... is written by Congressional staffers and not WH offiicials; therefore, he can still with a straight face say that he isn't writing these things into the bill -Pelosi and co. are.

So, the face of ObamaCare will be Obama, but the real ObamaCare will be lost in the hundreds and thousands of pages of Congressional paper.

The key for the conservatives is to ignore Obama and go straight for the details. The President, in a way, is out of the fight. He has chosen to put all of the pressure on House Dems first, and Senate Dems second. With a firestorm brewing back home, many House Dems will realize it is thier butts on the line. Like July and August, the President can make all the speeches he wants, but they will have little effect on congressmen who are getting flayed by thier constituents.

Tenn Slim| 9.11.09 @ 9:01AM

ALL
Opine
bt
The OBNA has more problems than Health care bills, details of Single Payment Options, etal. with the Left. His and thier time table.
bt
So far, the Left has really not achieved a single one of the November Agenda items, posted prominently on their sites. Check CPUSA, Check Democratic Strategy, Check Democrats Underground, and others of the Academcia Left. The Center for American Progress continues to pump out white papers, but with increasing frenetic agitation. Near as I can tell, the Left sites and thier bloggers are typing fast, but making little or no satisfaction headway. They have a deadline. The August USA Old Geezer Electorate storm set them back apace. The Cap and Trade bills, so necessary to the Environmentalists is stalled. The Health Care takes the headlines, but truly, will not be off the table till November. FP is in disarray, the Auto Industry, actually made OBNA efforts look pitiful. Never Trust a used car salesman.
bt
All in all, the Left is a ticking time bomb for Obama. You can sense the Leftist pressure in his speech angst. He is defintely angry, but not so much at the Right, as at his angst driven supporters. "Take a strain, " He seems to be saying "I'll geter done"....
bt
I certainly hope not.
end