Health care concession riles left; right unmoved

Source: AP

President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care "government option" drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the daunting challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political struggle.

The White House insisted there had been no shift in position, adding the president still favors a federal option for the sale of health insurance. "The bottom line is this: Nothing has changed," said a memo containing suggested answers for administration allies to use if asked about the issue.

But some supporters of health care overhaul sounded less than reassured.

"You really can't do health reform" without allowing the government to compete with private insurers, said Howard Dean, a former Democratic Party chairman. "Let's not say we're doing health reform without a public option," he added in a slap at the administration's latest move.

His remarks were echoed by lawmakers as well as AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, who said the option was the only way to force "real competition" on the insurance industry.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jlMpJGn28kqCcgU-aGcYE_ZHW-ywD9A50A000

---

I don't get this apparent acquiescence to a vocal minority who LOST the election. On AC360 just now they were suggesting that Obama has been rattled by the town hall hooligans. WTF? How can he be rattled by a baying mob on brainwashed bozos who are essentially the GOP's tiny lunatic/racist base? The same 24% who though Busch was doing a great job.

Get these silly "blue dogs" on board and just do it right! Peoples futures are at stake.

This seems like more sloppy, spin-ridden reporting from the AP. Remember how their Washington bureau chief is Karl Rove's best buddy, and has been agitating to get rid of "impartiality" in their reporting?

all we can do is stand around and watch the blaze. Well, I guess Obama's going to be a one-termer.

lobbyists and the corp-media. Don't fall for it. Keep fighting.

Weiner is one of dozens of Democrats who favor creation of a so-called "single payer" approach under which the government would take over the health care system.

Liar.

"Single payer" refers to government control of the finance mechanism, not the entire health care industry.

It really sucks when greed is a prime mover of the dissemination of propaganda, and that Americans, in their ignorance, are so easily beguiled.

I've got a family member who handled her crying child in this manner... First, try to shush him, then try to bargain with him a little bit, then start offering him things to distract him or serve as a substitute for what he really wanted... then, finally, she'd state in exasperation (and I am not making this up): "If I give you what you want, will you shut up?!" The child would of course say yes, she'd give him what he wanted, and then claim victory that she had handled the situation responsibly.

:eyes: