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Obama's upcoming speech on healthcare
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09/04/09 08:28 AM ET
We sure know President Barack Obama is going to "prescriptive" in his speech next Wednesday before a joint session of Congress, since both Rahm Emanual and David Axelrod both used the catchy, medical-sounding adjective in their interviews with reporters promising that the president is finally stepping in for a final hands-on role in the politically unhealthy reform debate.
But will he be specific? And will he admit the inevitable — that a public plan won't pass the U.S. Senate, not because of Republicans but because it isn't supported there by members of his own party?
Today's Washington Post reports that aides say the speech will provide specifics for Obama's vision of reform. OK, sounds good. But the story says "he will be attempting a difficult balancing act, seeking to win moderate Senate Democrats to his cause without embracing compromises that would alienate liberral House Democrats. He is not expected to associate himself with any one bill."
Just how will Obama bring moderate Democrats on board without raising the ire of the left of his party? Hasn't that been the challenge all along? Town halls freaked the already nervous conservatives in his party. If they wouldn't support a public option in July, they aren't going to support one now.
Another newspaper reported that Obama doesn't want to get too specific because he doesn't want to "annoy" the committee chairmen who have worked hard to pass their own bills. No matter that they are unpopular with a majority of Americans, it seems Obama may still be set to leave the meat-grinding to the Congress, and still hesitating to get his hands dirty. In that case, the speech — like his previous appearances devoted to this subject — will leave the public hungry ... and guessing and grumpy about healthcare reform. And not much will have changed.
WHAT MUST OBAMA ACCOMPLISH IN HIS SPEECH? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, Sept. 8. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.
But will he be specific? And will he admit the inevitable — that a public plan won't pass the U.S. Senate, not because of Republicans but because it isn't supported there by members of his own party?
Today's Washington Post reports that aides say the speech will provide specifics for Obama's vision of reform. OK, sounds good. But the story says "he will be attempting a difficult balancing act, seeking to win moderate Senate Democrats to his cause without embracing compromises that would alienate liberral House Democrats. He is not expected to associate himself with any one bill."
Just how will Obama bring moderate Democrats on board without raising the ire of the left of his party? Hasn't that been the challenge all along? Town halls freaked the already nervous conservatives in his party. If they wouldn't support a public option in July, they aren't going to support one now.
Another newspaper reported that Obama doesn't want to get too specific because he doesn't want to "annoy" the committee chairmen who have worked hard to pass their own bills. No matter that they are unpopular with a majority of Americans, it seems Obama may still be set to leave the meat-grinding to the Congress, and still hesitating to get his hands dirty. In that case, the speech — like his previous appearances devoted to this subject — will leave the public hungry ... and guessing and grumpy about healthcare reform. And not much will have changed.
WHAT MUST OBAMA ACCOMPLISH IN HIS SPEECH? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, Sept. 8. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thank you.
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