Thursday September 3, 2009, 2:09 pm
To the right, President Obama faces a Republican Party that is now more of a fundamentalist cult, wedded irrevocably to myth and deliberate misinformation, than a political party. (I did my part to make it that way by being a religious right anti-abortion leader and side-kick to my far-right evangelist father in the 70s and 80s, before I fled the Republican Party in disgust with its extremism and worked my tail off to get Obama elected.) To the left President Obama faces an impatient bevy of shortsighted critics.

Where Obama is measured, thoughtful and far thinking, interested in winning long term change the only way possible -- in Edward Kennedy-style increments -- the left, apparently the victims of collective attention deficit disorder and ideological fundamentalism, insist on everything being done today. No, rather, yesterday.

Where Obama offers bipartisanship the right only knows hate, pure and simple. To the right the truly insane, the armed, the deluded and the outright liars dwell.

To the left the impatient and jaded dwell. So what is the last reasonable American -- President Obama -- to do?

Appease neither.

Before continuing a caveat: I know I'm generalizing about the left. Who I'm really showing some exasperation with are the lefties of little faith, the sort of people who are now falling all over themselves to praise Senator Kennedy now that he has died, but who don't have a clue as to how he actually governed: by fighting smart, comprising when needed, and not holding himself up as some sort of paragon of ideological purity. He was willing to give his lifetime to go step by step to a better, fairer, more progressive society. Obama's critics didn't have the patience to even give the new president six months!

In the August 20 Rolling Stone magazine is a conversation about Obama's first six months among Krugman, Michael Moore and David Gergen. The interesting thing is how happy Moore -- the real Leftie "radical" -- is with Obama. Sure he has some differences, but as he put it, Obama is adept at faking right and going left. Moore was much more sensible than Krugman (Gergen was good, albeit starting out from a different place). I think that Moore's view represents a lot of what I hear from Obama's real supporters. (Keep in mind that Krugman was for Hillary, and always doubted that Obama would succeed.)

That said, Krugman and his ilk have started what amounts to an anti-Obama leftist coup that is now begining to seriously undermine the possibility for change by (ironically) harping on the theme of wanting change faster. Obama's leftist critics would all have made terrible Little League coaches! You don't boo your guys in the first inning every time they make a play you don't like or miss a catch -- not if you want to win the game.

While the critics on the left think in minutes the president thinks in years. Where the right thinks of "we" versus "them" the president thinks of "us."

How to understand Obama?

He's the leader that somehow missed the bitterness that deforms the thinking of we culture war survivors of both the right and left. He'd rather win the battle than have the pleasure of instant vindication. And he understands magnanimity -- a concept lost on the right and left.

The president is being asked by the left to stop trying to work with the far right Republicans: in other words all the Republicans these days. I agree. The Republicans have proved that they are more adept at encouraging such outrageous behavior as bare-faced lying about health reform ("death panels") and/or carrying loaded weapons to presidential rallies than at putting forth actual policy. But the president also must do nothing to appease the vocal left in terms of changing his long term incremental strategy. These critics on the left don't know what the words "long term" mean.

You can't trust people who won't admit they are wrong. The shrill left said that Obama's economic recovery program would fail. But the economy is slowly turning around. I have yet to read an opinion piece by anyone on the left who claimed to have had such perfect information on what Obama should have done now saying that maybe, just maybe, they were wrong and spoke too soon.

Instead the critics on the left have just moved on to health care in order to predict doom. They predict that somehow Obama has given away the farm and "wavered" on the public option. Has he?

No, he hasn't. Obama is grownup enough to be playing for the long term tactical victory. It is called politics. He's good at it.

Now take note, all ye of little faith, and email me in four to eight years and tell me I was right!

Health care will be reformed in stages. And somewhere in the next three and a half years of the Obama presidency there will be a public option added (by whatever name). And we will -- thankfully! -- be on our way to a single payer system by the end of the second term in the Obama presidency in seven and a half years.

And by the way the economy will be in great shape by the end of the first term.

By the end of the first term gays will be serving in the military without harassment. Gay rights, including marriage, will be achieved nationwide. And because Obama will have been smart about how to make these changes, unlike the Roe v. Wade all-or-nothing culture-war starting hubris of the left we saw in the 70s, there won't be a second culture war started and most Americans will go along.

The far right will be utterly discredited. The Republican Party is going to be repudiated for a generation. The doubters on the American left will merely look small, impatient and childish.

And I'll bet the critics on the left will be taking the credit for Obama's successes, something they have contributed little to since his election. All the leftie critics have done so far is help drive down the president's poll numbers in a way that helps hand potential victory to the enemies of change. In that sense, Obama's critics on the left might as well be in the pay of the insurance companies. After winning his many battles -- and he will win them -- knowing Obama he'll thank his "supporters" on the left anyway for all their "help." But history won't be so kind. The left and the right will be lumped together in the history books as the people one of our greatest presidents had to overcome to achieve his stunning succession of successes.

Ignore them all, Mr. President. Stick with your long term vision. You are smarter, kinder and nobler than all your critics put together. Bless you for trying to save us from ourselves. Some of us are sticking with you for the long haul and we're grateful.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 2:13 pm
Write to the President, every day:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Click Here For Contacting Congress State by State.

Look up your members of Congress and call them now:http://my.barackobama.com/callcongress

Tweet your Senator
http://www.barackobama.com/twitter/tweetyoursenator/

Thursday September 3, 2009, 2:32 pm
Blue I cannot agree with you more! This is a well stated commentary on what is, what will be, and where are we heading in the end...Both parties have failed US. Gr$$d has it's way as you and I know.. Obama's still in the trenches with Us and, I believe, as long as we uphold our end, he will do likewise..He's not been in office that long considering everything that he's been up against so there's still time, with a little help from his friends, for the Change he has promised..It's not over till the fat lady sings...Thank you for all that you do when it comes to your concern for the health of Americans. You're a tiger girl! GRRRR!

Thursday September 3, 2009, 2:33 pm
Thank you Blue.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 2:47 pm
Thank YOU Simone and Barbara! PUBLIC OPTION WATCH.... Under the circumstances, the chances of passing a health care reform bill with a public option in the Senate will hinge on a dozen or so senators, whose support will make or break the provision. As of last week, two of the 59 senators in the Democratic caucus -- Lieberman and Landrieu -- were definite (or near-definite) opponents of a public option.

This week, the on-the-fence senators are clarifying matters a little further. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D) or Arkansas, who just found out she's facing a credible, top-tier conservative Republican opponent next year, now opposes a public option.


"For some in my caucus, when they talk about a public option they're talking about another entitlement program, and we can't afford that right now as a nation," Lincoln said in a speech to the Elder Law Task Force at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Lincoln has said previously she would support whatever health care plan worked, but she indicated Tuesday that a plan including an expensive, government-funded health insurance program would not get her vote.

"I'm not going to vote for a bill that's not deficit-neutral, and I'm not going to vote for a bill that doesn't do something about curbing the cost in the out years, because it would be pointless

... I would not support a solely government-funded public option. We can't afford that," Lincoln told reporters before her speech.


This might be a good time to note that bloggers seem to be the only people in the country who realize that a public option would be cheaper than the alternative. If Lincoln is concerned about what "we can afford," she should be an enthusiastic champion of the public option. I suspect she knows this, but doesn't quite have the courage to explain this to her enraged constituents.

Other than Lincoln, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) seems iffy on the public option, though her in-state colleague, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), is an ardent supporter of the policy.

Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) was considered a "maybe," but he's
making it clear he's a "yes" on the public option. David Sirota argues that this is the result of a credible primary challenger, and I think that's absolutely correct.

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has said he supports a public option, but as of yesterday, he's no longer willing to say whether he backs the measure or not. This probably isn't a good sign.

And then there's Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who offered a muddled position on a public option late last week. Yesterday, Reid's office clarified matters, explaining that the Majority Leader envisions a public option that would be administered in part by private entities, though the HHS would still set the policies.

Of course, there's one point that's always worth emphasizing when this comes up. It matters whether these senators support a public option, but it matters just as much whether these senators would also support a filibuster of a reform package that includes a public option. It's one thing to oppose the policy; it's another to vote with Republicans and prevent the Senate from even voting on the reform package at all.
Permalink
| Comments (29)

Thursday September 3, 2009, 3:49 pm
Thank you Blue. I have been saying we have to start somewhere, even if we don't get everything we want at the beginning. Kennedy knew that in hindsight. It will take years to get a helthcare bill that is truely inclusive, but we if we don't start now we may never have any reform of value.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 4:04 pm
That's the way it worked in Canada, too, Carrie: icrementally ... province by province ... before the government caved and gave every Canadian citizen health care.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 7:10 pm
"Ignore them all, Mr. President. Stick with your long term vision. You are smarter, kinder and nobler than all your critics put together. Bless you for trying to save us from ourselves. Some of us are sticking with you for the long haul and we're grateful."

EXCELLENT ARTICLE, Blue!!! I love Schaeffer for having been on the right and admitting he was wrong, then subsequently endorsing Obama. It is inspiring to see someone admit they were wrong, then do all they can to correct the problem. Schaeffer represents the best of doing this.

I have to admit I have become antsy with Obama by wanting him to push hard against the right. But this article makes sense: medicare didn't happen overnight, and neither did Canadian health care.

Thank you so much for posting this article that makes sense of this issue.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 8:26 pm
Marion ... take a look:
Obamas On Covers Of Four Health Mags To Push Health Care
PRESIDENT OBAMA is taking his argument for a health care plan to a new place: Rodale magazines, where he or his wife appear on coming covers of Prevention, Men's Health, Women's Health and the new publication Children's Health.

Thursday September 3, 2009, 8:29 pm
Write to the President, every day:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Click Here For Contacting Congress State by State.

Look up your members of Congress and call them now:http://my.barackobama.com/callcongress

Tweet your Senator
http://www.barackobama.com/twitter/tweetyoursenator/

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:25 pm
Thanks, Blue, but I've been doing that for sometime. Missed afew days, but not many!

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:30 pm
Carrie, I "tweeted" both my Senators today.
:-)

Thursday September 3, 2009, 9:31 pm
Why Health Insurance Reform Will Pass This Fall -- It's the High Political Ground

Health insurance reform represents the high political ground for four major reasons:

1). Most Americans - including swing voters - can't stand the health insurance industry. As Congress reconvenes, the Administration and its allies will unleash a major drive to correctly define the battle as a contest between the interests of private health insurance companies and ordinary Americans. Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the big coalition of progressive organizations and Labor, will put it this way: If the insurance companies win, you lose.

be sure to read the entire article ...

Friday September 4, 2009, 2:23 am
Re: Scarlett's letter ;)

The most generous scenario is that Dr. Fraser is quite badly misinformed.

A detailed line-by-line debunking of his letter’s claims is available here.

Friday September 4, 2009, 6:50 am
"Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!" he'll be crucified regardless

Friday September 4, 2009, 7:35 am
I tweeted both my senators today!

I thoroughly enjoyed the article "Why Health Insurance Reform Will Pass This Fall -- It's the High Political Ground " and recommend everyone take the time to read it.

This "progressive" has never lost faith in Obama's ability to pass health care reform. I took the time to read his books and understand how he operates...thorough, analytical, shrewd, patient, progressive, determined and fair. He has a progressive agenda, but leans as a centrist to achieve it. Rather than react and come unglued at every turn in this debate, Obama lets his opponents define themselves as batcrap crazy, while he comes out focused and cool. The public needs a focused and cool leader, especially at a time like this. Come 2010 and 2012, the crazies will find themselves out to sea...alone as the public becomes more and more secure from the policies Obama puts in place that work.

-----
Credibility, respect and rational thinking are terrible things to lose...Marion

Friday September 4, 2009, 12:55 pm
Marion, he's a warrior, our President, that's for sure. I was getting a bit ocncerned there watching all the body blows he's been taking .... doesn't seem to phase him at all. Reminds me of the "Buddha nature" ... don't let anything disturb your balance, good or bad. President Obama has been bloodied by the right and the left ... but the media is waking up ... Joe Scarborough talked about the angry voices and the "silly season" on his "Moring Joe" program and Raising Women's Voices For Health Care brought 3,000+ women in NYC to a Great rally! Pics! http://bit.ly/qNLRn

Friday September 4, 2009, 1:02 pm
Obama may be kinder than his predecessor, but he still hasn't produced a valid birth certificate .

His "warrior" seems to prefer to spend over $1 Million in legal fees to prevent a court from ordering him to produce one......

Strange behavior for a "warrior".

Philip J. Berg, Esquire states “There has been a lot of attention regarding the birth certificate issues addressed in the media lately. Unfortunately, there are many discrepancies in the reporting of the facts surrounding the questions into Barry Soetoro a/k/a Barack H. Obama’s birth and citizenship status.”

The media, in addressing the citizenship issues regarding Barry Soetoro a/k/a Barack H. Obama; my background; and intentions have mis-stated the following facts:
http://obamacrimes.com/index.html

Friday September 4, 2009, 2:10 pm
Blue...I agree. Having worked for possibly the greatest boxer in the world, Sugar Ray Robinson, I learned first hand what a true warrior is about. Obama exhibits all those traits...and more.

I've been watching Scarborough too as he seems to sympathize more with Obama over the attacks. Scarborough is a true conservative and doesn't like the image republicans now have because of the idiots. I watch his program mainly for the guests, because his political position opposes mine. He still has the same agenda as Beck and Limbaugh...he just does it with class and speaks with intelligence.

Did you attend the rally? Good work from all.

Friday September 4, 2009, 2:42 pm
In the end President Obama would be a fool to let this right wing/Republians sick agenda come out on top.
And we all know that President Obama isa Smart/Honest/Strong Leader and he will have the last word And the Left should get off there soap boxes and stand behind Obama. Prtesident Obama stands for the people and that alone will make him right. The Public Option is just a piece of the puzzle there is much more. Obama knows this and people are so stunk of this they can not see past the end of there nose.

Blue and Marion Petraeus, Scarborough eyed for '12

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26741.html

Friday September 4, 2009, 3:18 pm
Petraeus who Betrayed Us...Scarborough who dominates the conversation? They would have us in endless wars and roll out the tax cuts for the rich again. Forget it. They can run, but they'll never make it. I think people are still licking their wounds from the Bush years. Thanks Mamabear!

Friday September 4, 2009, 9:41 pm
Meaning well won't necessarily get the job done. The Republicans' definition of bipartisanship is total reformist capitulation and no reform at all. If the President wants to play politics and reform the health care system incrementally, he needs to set his priorities, because what doesn't get done now probably won't get done at all. If he renegs on his campaign promises and bails on the private option, we will never get a private option. That's the reality. It's now or never.

Friday September 4, 2009, 9:52 pm
Obamacare is in a death spiral, pardon the pun. The Dalai Obama cannot rescutate it. He double timed out a 100+ page future mortgaging, incompetent big brother government managed manifesto. He thought he could ramrod this by an apathetic public, wrong. The definite majority stormed the bastille to kill this socialist Frankenstein. Damn people ask your own rep[ senator congressperson] if they would change their federal med coverage to this. All 7 of ours would not. Let these med lobby, vote grubbing politicos decide your grandmothers fate. Not me.












all

Friday September 4, 2009, 10:09 pm
Mitch, in his blind hatred of all things Obama, has overlooked the fact that the vast majority of Americans--Democrats, Republicans, and Independants alike--favor some kind of health care reform. And that 58% to 77%, depending on which poll you read (again crossing all party lines) want a public option. So despite a few misguided, loud-mouthed shills at last month's town hall meetings, the "apathetic" public is very much behind reform.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 1:42 am
People I know in the US want a Health Care Reform. The talk about ¨socialism¨ is just ridiculous. We have National health Care in Sweden and it works great. When my dad got two new hipjoints he got specalist health care and didn't pay anything for the surgery. No one is guaranteed to stay healthy and never get a bad heallth, the opponents should think about that. Everyone can't get a health insurance either, because of my disability I can't get a life insurance.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 5:41 am
South African view... I think Obama is doing a good job so far... Have visited the USA and have been with a friend to the VA... Excellent, and first class treatment, docotors and so forth... That part of it is excellent.. I do hope that the rest of the public with have the affordable health care that tey need.. Here to in South Africa we have the same problems with Medical aids being way tooooooooooo expensive... Something is definitely wrong..

Saturday September 5, 2009, 6:11 am
You cannot currently send a star to Barry because you have done so within the last week.

You cannot currently send a star to Carin because you have done so within the last week.

You cannot currently send a star to Chaz because you have done so within the last week.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 12:55 pm
The Democrats know that all the lies that are being perpetrated by the Republicans are to set up a base of criticisms for the next election. They are against any improvements in Government that would improve the life of Americans. They only want to improve what benefits them and their families. The Democrats should take a page from the Republicans and stick together especially at this time when the public needs them as much as President Obama.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 1:40 pm
Barry, don't obsfiscate like Barry Saturo ( mr. Obamas former alias.] and the uber leftist frequently do. People don't want another $700 hammer beaurocracy being nanny over their lives. It's not a perfect system, but see how your medical privacy is guarded when any politico drafts an enemies list with you on it and easy access to your med history. These town hall people are regular working people, not uber leftist elitists.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 4:38 pm
And y'all thought you could just sit back and recline on your couches and let our President do the hard work ... get off your duffs and use your power to contact your Congre$$ional repre$entative$ ...

Here is how your reps/sens. are voting on the public option.

http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?chamber=&party=&state=&hc_status=&commit=Filter

Contact info, included.

http://standwithdrdean.com/where_congress_stands?chamber=&party=&state=&hc_status=&commit=Filter

Saturday September 5, 2009, 4:56 pm

MitBarry B.. wrote:: " in his blind hatred of all things Obama, has overlooked the fact that the vast majority of Americans--Democrats, Republicans, and Independants alike--favor some kind of health care reform. And that 58% to 77%, depending on which poll you read (again crossing all party lines) want a public option. So despite a few misguided, loud-mouthed shills at last month's town hall meetings, the "apathetic" public is very much behind reform."

You got that rong

http://bit.ly/196DNL

Saturday September 5, 2009, 5:09 pm
Mitch--Excuse my for being naive, but I guess my paranoia isn't as well developed as yours. Exactly who is making up this "enemies list" and why am I on it? And what the heck does my medical history have to do with any of thsi stuff? Just to save this unnamed evil politico some time, I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a bad back, bad eyes, bad ears, seasonal allergies, BPH, and gout. And if I have to read too many more insane comments like yours, I'll be suffering from depression as well.

Saturday September 5, 2009, 6:12 pm
Blue Bunting: You have nailed it on the head with your amazing insite!
Yes, I too believe that the public option will work incrementally, and will be ever evolving as our medical needs change.
It is this crucial first step that Congress needs to step up and support!
I am calling my congressmen, they need to do this now!!!
Thank you Blue!!!

Saturday September 5, 2009, 8:45 pm
Blue you've done it again, come through with you're usual facts and information! I wish I had more time tonight to commenton your most insightful and spot on comments and all the great sites to check out. I haven't even been able to check them all out and some I've read on other E Mails from all over.

What with the whining and gnashing of teeth on the pubbies side of the issue on Health Care Reform, is it any wonder President Obama hasn't been able to move forward with Health Care. The spoiled brats didn't get their way on election day, and are willing to take the rest of America down if need be. so nothing is going to make them happy till they get they're own way.

Annnnnd to our favorite denialist, regarding THE birth certificate, you can be one of the "Birther" group, but I gotta say, "get over it" and get on with really trying to help this country get back on it's feet.

BTW Blue I sent you another star for all your hard work, and tomarrow night when I come on, will probably be sending out more kudos to many of you folks here on this thread!!

WAY TO GO!!!

Lync

Sunday September 6, 2009, 9:10 am
Barry, you used the right term, naivety. If you had any sense of history you would grasp the reference to Hoovers use of FBI files on private citizens to hound them, ex: MLK. Your own mans temporarily putting a " no rats" healthcare website up. Come on you blindly will trust a richard Nixon, LBJ or Barack Obama to not utilize yourmed ,personal criminal et al files on you if they ever perceive you as not their kool aid drinker. Please the old school libs {JFK, Truman strong defense, pro labor} , as I've been, would not fall into a blind march toward this type socialism. -Barry these can't run a railroad properly, just why do you think they can provide decent healthcare??

Sunday September 6, 2009, 9:22 am
P.S.: Why can't the Dalai Obama stop changing His birthplace hospital on his old campaign site, his auto biography and the Democratic website. Plus, the the man is tooth and nail avoiding his disclosure of past school records, medical history etc. that all other prez canidates disclosed them. Why doesn't he spend $20 and give the official raised seal Hawaii birth cerificate To his press sec , hold a news conference and display it. Don't you Obots hate him lieing to you?

Sunday September 6, 2009, 10:21 am
Mitch, buddy, how did you get to be so mean-spirited, intolerant, and spiteful? A traffic accident, watching too much FOX News? Have you ever in your life agreed to disagree on anything? Health care reform means that you keep whatever you have and I finally get some. Or does being unemployed make me a lesser person who shouldn't be allowed to see a doctor? Besides, wasn't it that old-school Lib hero of yours Truman who blindly marched toward Socialism by being the first to try to get health care refom (which was killed by the Republican No-No'ers of his day)?

As an exercise, tell us what it is about Obama that you find so unacceptable. None of that Limbaugh-Beck-O'Reilly March Toward Socialism rhetoric. Be specific. What exactly are you so frightened of?

Sunday September 6, 2009, 10:26 am
Good comments, Blue, Barry Shawn and Lyn! I find it encouraging that the media are now addressing all these birther and health care lies. The ONLY media on TV is Fox News, which prostitutes for the neocon, right-wing. They are throwing all their money against Obama -- money stolen from all Americans -- to stop him from helping Americans.

As we are seeing...the racists and ignorant among us are defining themselves for all to see.

Monday September 7, 2009, 9:45 am
I was talkig to some of my colleagues over this weekend and you know, there's a big SECRET about the health care debate: the debate is not what most folks think it's about.

If you work in the legal field or if you're a lawyer or a judge, you know this important secret.

The real issue surrounding medical care is this:

shall the level of scrutiny for medical care be raised above the level of minimum scrutiny established for it in DeShaney v. Winnebago County?

Currently, under West Coast Hotel v. Parrish, policy with respect to medical care need only bear a "rational relation to a legitimate government purpose." DeShaney affirmed that.

However, if medical care is established as an important fact--which, according to West Virginia v. Barnette, is a fact of human experience which history demonstrates, does not change in spite of attempts to change it--then medical care will move up the scrutiny ladder.

Will it receive "intermediate scrutiny" or "strict scrutiny"? Who knows?

But if the level of scrutiny for medical care is raised even SLIGHTLY above minimum scrutiny, that will create an individually enforceable right so powerful that the right to medical care will determine ALL policy--especially spending policy--with respect to medical care. Show this to any judge or lawyer you please: that judge or lawyer will shake her or his head vigorously in affirmation.

Please ask the only question which matters:

should the level of scrutiny for medical care be raised above DeShaney minimum scrutiny?

That is what the medical care debate is about--and that is ALL it is about.

Our President is a lawyer and a constitutional scholar. THis could set an important precedent for the "right" to health care.

Tuesday September 8, 2009, 8:07 am
About the real issue surrounding medical care...

Blue...I'm not sure I understand what this is about. Is it that doctors and hospitals will be held to higher standards and be held accountable to individuals for the right to better medical care?

Is this what the fight is all about?

Tuesday September 8, 2009, 9:01 am
Marion, i fyou google "DeShaney v Winnebago County: you can read the :case law" and the law journal articles ... it's more about raising health care to a "right" rather than a privilege.

Tuesday September 8, 2009, 10:59 am
Noted. Great article!

Thursday September 10, 2009, 12:55 pm
Obama's speech on HCR last night was a HOME RUN!!! Obstructionists and liars will be "called out."