No Surprise – More Americans Prefer Public Option to Bipartisan Bill
30 October 2009 1:19 pm by whitepaw
http://tinyurl.com/yhagcnl
Jake Tapper:
“Which of these would you prefer – (a plan that includes some form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance, but is approved without support from Republicans in Congress); or (a plan that is approved with support from Republicans in Congress, but does not include any form of government-sponsored health insurance for people who can’t get affordable private insurance)?”
Fifty one percent said they preferred the public option; 37 percent said they preferred a bill with some support from Republicans in Congress. Six percent said neither and seven percent expressed no opinion.
The question has some relevance, since Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, is the only Republican lawmaker to show willingness to vote for a health care reform bill pushed by Democrats, but she opposes the public option. Some in the White House have worked hard to bring Snowe on board, thinking she provides cover for moderate Democrats and wanting to be able to say they passed a bill with bipartisan support. Some in Congress have argued that Snowe’s support is not worth it, given her opposition to the public option.
Earlier this month I asked White House spokesman Robert Gibbs which the president preferred, and he didn’t really answer the question.
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Someone tell the President, who isn’t listening and obviously doesn’t care.
“… Nancy Pelosi, to her credit, has been left to round up votes for a tough public option without much help from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. You know, the idea that the President could have maybe come in and said, you know what, here’s ten guys that I can sway. If the President of the United States calls it’s tough to say no. We’ve kind of been left to do this on our own and you really need the full-throated support of a president at a moment like this when we’re having a big national debate. … But really, I don’t think we can close this out unless the President really helps us.” – Rep. Anthony Weiner
Exactly Taylor — What’s up with Obama’s refusal to use his position to influence here. I don’t understand when I read arguments posted on this blog that ask… “Really, what more can we expect from Obama?”…
Oh — That’s right.. I forgot — Obama doesn’t really care if there’s a PO or not. Trigger will work…. Or any bill… with or without any option at all.. Change & leadership we can believe in!
It is becoming obvious that we should not expect much from Obama. Certainly not a principled stand.
Just rolling through… No Friday Happy Hour?!?!
I can’t decide if Obama has blown it or he has been playing a smart game. When looking at the makeup of the Senate, I’m surprised that we have gotten this far with health care. I not sure if Obama had pushed harder we would have gotten anything from the Senate. The way it looks now, its touch and go with even a weak water downed bill making it out of the Senate.
I’m waiting to see if Obama ramps up once we get the two bills out of both house’s. Time will tell if he out smarted all the pundits and played congress the right way.
Hey ogenec, I’m happy.
I sometimes wonder if the Obama Administration in an effort to not follow the Clinton health care model, learned the lessen a little to well. Understandable that they did not want to micromanage every move and detail. IMO it was a fatal flaw of Hillary’s in the 1990’s, so perhaps to not duplicate the same failure, the current administration is being too hands off.
angels81 says:
30 October 2009 at 5:53 pm
kris says:
30 October 2009 at 6:36 pm
I understand both of the points you make because I have those same thoughts. I just don’t know.
angels81 says:
30 October 2009 at 5:54 pm
Hey ogenec, I’m happy.
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I know you are. It’s good to see you. Hope everyone has a great weekend, and fun trick-or-treating.
Happy T-or-t-ing with your little munchkins ogenec. Our kids are 20 & 17… but they still manage to get their fair share of candy on Oct. 31.
I made caramel apples with three groups of middle schoolers today as we had a 1/2 day of school due to a conference 1/2 day in the p.m. Wore my Halloween sweater, all festive and everything. My baby is too old for trick or treating but we will hand out candy tomorrow night. The little ones are too cute. Always enjoy them.
I love Halloween on the lake. We put all the little guys on a haywagon and they all get to your house at the same time,so cute! The teens usually come in themed groups,and the tweens are so proud to be walking and not on the wagon.It is a real throw back here to lost days in that respect,very safe and fun.Then the young adults have a big rocking bonfire party.
Thank you whitepaw. I enjoy it as much as they do. Lynnette and LL, I totally agree with you. We get so few chances to channel our inner child. Watching the kids hopping around in their costumes always reminds me of what’s important.