White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told the Wall Street Journal yesterday that the administration would be open to a compromise on health care that would include a provision for a government-run plan, but one that would only be “triggered” if private companies didn’t meet certain government targets within a given time frame. This idea had been floated by Maine’s Olympia Snowe, one of only a few Republican Senators that Democrats hope to get onboard with health care legislation. The problem is that to potentially gain the support of moderates, such a move would alienate liberal Senators and activists who want a government plan to be implemented immediately. President Obama later reiterated his support for a government plan in a statement, but I think this is another indication that the White House wants to get something done this year, and will settle for less if that’s the only way to get legislation through Congress — but it remains unclear as to whether liberal lawmakers would be as politically pragmatic.