From progressive super genius Paul Krugman:
According to news reports, the Obama administration — which seemed, over the weekend, to be backing away from the “public option” for health insurance — is shocked and surprised at the furious reaction from progressives.
Well, I’m shocked and surprised at their shock and surprise.
A backlash in the progressive base — which pushed President Obama over the top in the Democratic primary and played a major role in his general election victory — has been building for months. The fight over the public option involves real policy substance, but it’s also a proxy for broader questions about the president’s priorities and overall approach.
Excuse me, but based on the short history of the Obama Administration and its relationship with progressives, why wouldn't the White House be shocked at a display of progressive displeasure? Let's face the truth here: Barack Obama was banking on the same sort of reaction from progressives on health care, er, insurance reform that he got on issues ranging from the abolition of Don't Ask Don't Tell, support of gay marriage, ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, closing Gitmo and financial sector reform.
When prominent pro-Obama LGBTers can excuse the President's inaction on DADT by casually stating he's "too busy", and then ignore is flip-flop on gay marriage completely, why would they be surprised to find Barack Obama counting on them to look away, again, when it came to the public option in health care, er, insurance reform?
When progressives desert the anti-war movement because it's now a Democrat pulling the trigger, what sort of message does that send Barack Obama? For five plus years getting out of Iraq and Afghanistan was the most important thing in the world to progressives. Then, overnight, it becomes a matter without the slightest of import. So why not the same on the public option?
If Paul Krugman and the progressives are shocked that Barack Obama seems ready and willing to trade away a public option, I'd suggest a healthy look in the mirror. The White House sized you up based on all the issues you have already ignored or compromised upon since last November. The list isn't a short one, either. They came to bank on just how desperately you needed to believe Campaign Obama still existed. They banked on you - once again - finding a way to excuse the wavering, cautious, thoroughly conventional blue suit Obama you actually have.
If the White House is surprised by your reaction in this matter, it isn't because they miscalculated, it's because you've suddenly grown a spine. Based on the last ten months or so, who could have predicted that?
Sounds like reality is finally intruding into the private fantasy worlds of lefties. And it took a spineless Democrat president to make it happen. In this sad world in which we live, I can't decide if that's a feature or a bug.
Posted by: JeffS | August 21, 2009 at 12:04 PM
But wait, Dennis, none of that happened, oh I see your point.
Posted by: the bishop | August 21, 2009 at 01:52 PM