Judging from the tone and tenor of President Obama’s statement on Friday and his stinging weekly radio/internet address on Saturday, it was not a good week for health reform…the President is not a happy man.
But he is a smart man, and he senses the momentum for health reform slipping away. He is siezing control of the agenda big time, and will put on a full court press this week to push conservative Dems to get on the bus–with Sen. Baucus/Senate Finance and the Blue Dogs his primary targets. Multiple major press events are scheduled every day this week, with Wednesday nights prime time address (8:00 pm ) the centerpiece of the strategy.
Why the big push? Clearly, time is not the friend of health reformers. Public support is slipping, and Republicans are playing on the broader concern many Americans have for government run healthcare. But there is another reason as well. The President sees more negative momentum coming, in the form of the semi-annual budget revisions (POSTPONED–more on that later) and opposition expressed by Governors about new unfunded Medicaid mandates.
Also, recent polling data seem to suggests that public is growing wary of major changes and the President’s concern is well placed. From Rasmussen:
Cost, Not Universal Coverage, is Top Health Care Concern for Voters
50% Oppose Government Health Insurance Company
78% Say Health Care Reform Likely to Mean Higher Taxes for the Middle Class
Also, from Zogby:
U.S. Adults Dislike Healthcare Bill
Poll shows falling support for health care reform
And from ABC News/Washington Post:
Poll Shows Obama Slipping on Key Issues: Approval Rating on Health Care Falls Below 50 Percent
After all…there is a reason it has taken 60 years to get this far on healthcare reform…
