Healthcare: endgame

By consolidating support among Democrats — from liberals threatening all or nothing on the public option to conservatives nervous about cost and clarity for the insured now fearful of reform — President Barack Obama's speech served his purpose. Now is the time to get everybody on board and voting yes — everybody, that is, except for Republicans.

Looking back at the last weeks and months, when Obama and the Democrats lost control of the healthcare reform debate, there were some takeaways that may improve their chances at success in the future. Not only should they acknowledge these lessons for the remaining battle ahead on healthcare reform, which still could take months, but for any initiative of significance the White House hopes to get through this Congress.

The lessons are laid out in my column this week. They are: identify a constituency, don't waste appearances, deficits will shape Obama's entire presidency, the middle doesn't trust government, even in a crisis, and jobs are all that matters.

In polls, healthcare reform doesn't receive the interest deficit reduction does, and the president and his party failed to find one constituency for reform and win it over. In addition, the public is still skeptical of the stimulus package, bailouts are unpopular and unemployment remains stubbornly high. The White House must face these facts when planning not only the healthcare endgame but the rest of Obama's presidency.


JUST HOW DOES OBAMA PAY FOR HIS DEFICIT-NEUTRAL PLAN? Ask A.B. returns Tuesday, Sept. 15. 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.