The advice from Howard Dean and other liberal leaders on today’s talk shows was that in his speech on Wednesday, the president has to strongly and clearly restate his vision for overall health care reform — including a new government-run insurance program.
Others suggest that the time has come for the president to take what he can get and move on. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich recalled his advice to Hillary Clinton in 1993 that she pass eight bills in eight years as opposed to trying something comprehensive.
But key administration figures like White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, who hit the airwaves today in advance of the president’s address, were still equivocating on the public option and other proposals. Gibbs said the public option is “valuable” but wouldn’t say if it was a make or break proposition.
What it all means is that the president still has a ways to go with his base.
The most liberal members of the House Democratic caucus told President Obama Friday they are expecting a public health insurance option to be a part of a health care reform bill.
Obama talked to the group on a conference call. Participants included the leaders of the House Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Together, this group makes up a voting block of more than 100 members and would be able to block any bill if they stuck together.
“The president listened, asked many questions and suggested that the dialogue should continue,” the group said after the call.
Liberal House lawmakers will meet with Obama in person next Tuesday or Wednesday, the group said.
Obama is facing an uprising from his base amid reports that he is considering a watered-down version of the Democratic health care bill that would not include a public option unless health insurance companies refused to lower costs and make coverage easier to attain and keep.
