TPM: WH Opposes Public Option

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Obama Administration
Posted on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:07:50 PM EST
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Who'da thunk it?

There was something interesting OMB Chief Peter Orszag said this morning in his comments at the National Press Club. He pointed to Paul Starr's recent piece which argued that the Public Option has gotten much more press attention than it deserves relative to the importance of the 'exchanges' in terms of creating competition and reducing costs. [. . .] Orszag's only explicit reference was to the over-focus on the Public Option. But that point only makes sense in the concept of the policy critique. So I suspect this reference may tell us more about White House thinking than people realize.

Shorter Josh Marshall - the Obama Administration opposes the public option. I am shocked I tell you. Shocked!

Speaking for me only

< If You Give Away The Exchange, What Could You Get? | My "Practical" Support For A Health Insurance Assistance Bill Without A Public Option >

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TPM: WH Opposes Public Option | 12 comments (12 topical)

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Really? Who is this guy? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by ChiTownDenny on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:45:32 PM EST

That was my whole argument during the primaries. I've been happy to give him my support, but the duplicitous position coming from the WH on this issue boils my blood. Well, "the devil that you know" and all that, but who is this guy?

Not weakness (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by DancingOpossum on Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 10:51:02 AM EST

It's not weakness. Like lambert says, the myth of Democratic weakness is a dangerous one. It gives them a cop-out they don't deserve.

This is what they want. If they wanted real health care reform and an end to our stupid, useless wars, and a real jobs-creation program, we would have them. All of them. They don't want what "we" (most of us) want. Why people voted for Obama, knowing this, having it spelled out for them in big huge crayola-lettered signs, mystifies me as much now as it did a year ago, but this is where we are now. You go to war, as it were, with the president you have, not the one you wish you had.

Fantasy: WH Opposes Public Option (none / 0) (#1)
by RussTC3 on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:27:29 PM EST

Reality: Public Option is ONE part of the health care/insurance reform bill. It won't be a good bill JUST because it has a public option.

But it WILL be a really (5.00 / 9) (#2)
by nycstray on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:29:38 PM EST

sh*tty one without . . . .


What bothers me is the dishonesty (none / 0) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:31:21 PM EST

There is no doubt that commenter is for jettisoning the PO. He will claim that does not mean he "opposes" it. In reality, that is exactly what it means.


: Yup (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by nycstray on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:36:15 PM EST

The whole thing absolutely disgusts me. Almost as much as putting my uterus on the bargaining table.

Delusion (none / 0) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 04:30:18 PM EST

Orzag's comments endorsing an Op-Ed opposing a public option does not mean WH opposes public option.

You Bots are ridiculous.

I assume of course that you are also in favor of jettisoning the PO.

Be honest about your position please. That's all I ask.


Pffft (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 05:03:00 PM EST

they have been arguing for jettisoning the public option since the summer.

Your blinders are showing.


So we have a weak president (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by Cream City on Wed Dec 02, 2009 at 10:15:32 PM EST

and that's supposed to be reassuring about the public option . . . and about everything else?

He is the head of his party as well as of this country. Of course, that also tells us it's a weak party -- and this is the Dems at their peak of power in decades. Fuggedaboudem.


: Pfft They Count For Nothing (none / 0) (#13)
by norris morris on Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 07:30:42 PM EST

I agree completely. We can expect nothing but hypocritical posturing from the Democrats. And having voted for Obama I can only conclude after watching him work the teleprompter, he either needs electro shock to wake him up, or the teleprompter should have been wired to the Energizer Bunny.
Democrats are entirely irrelevant and have no center or core beliefs that unite them. We are headed for failed state status when we view the 2 wars, unemployment, fiscal disaster, poor governance, debt, and the rape of the American Taxpayer forced to support a corrupt and inept financial system.
Socialism for Wall Street, The Banks, AIG, and General Motors. A scam healthcare bill that removes Roe v Wade and offers more $$$$ to Insurance is obscene. Democrats are really bartering women's rights away [Stupak] for a middling sort of, er public option. The mess continues as the party in power has no power.

Is there any quote anywhere... (none / 0) (#11)
by Maise7 on Thu Dec 03, 2009 at 10:44:17 PM EST

from a reputable source that the WH opposes the public option?

And isn't it congress' job to reform healthcare, not the Obama administration?

And has it not even been a year yet since his inauguration?

Progressives need to stop acting like teabaggers. Or better yet, stop acting like 5 year olds who don't get their way immediately.

There are contradicting reports daily. What the f does that tell you?

I'd rather be an obot then a bratty child, screaming because I didn't get my way.

Grow up.


Fantasy? or Reality About Public Option (none / 0) (#12)
by norris morris on Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 07:17:53 PM EST

It's utter fantasy to believe any good can come of a healthcare bill that does not include a robust Public Option which would allow we the people to buy affordable insurance thereby giving the big insurance giants a run for their money. It could have been entirely possible.

If the President and the Democrats were sincere about creating a decent Insurance Program that would be fair to all Americans regarding choice,cost,services, and regulation, it would have already be in the works.

As long as Big Drug and Insurance Lobby money corrupts the process, this crap will continue.

Feingold had it right. Get rid of the Lobbyists and make them illegal if our elected representatives are to be given a chance to act honestly.

The state of the current bill being chopped up along with women's rights belongs in the dustbin of history.
