Candidate Obama ran on a post-partisan theme. He was going to rise above the lethal Washington partisanship to accomplish his change agenda. If he had done this he would not be in the mess he and his fellow Democrats are in right now. The legislative impasse is one hundred percent his own creation.
President Obama outsourced the development of the healthcare bill (as well as the cap and trade and bailout bills) to the hyper-partisan Congress. The Democratic congress was beside itself with legislative super-majorities and saw no need to involve the Republicans on the largest piece of social legislation since social security. The congressional leadership saw an opportunity to get what they wanted and did not need the Republicans for anything, or so they thought. As we all know, it did not turn out that way.
For just a moment consider what would have happened if President Obama acted like candidate Obama and incorporated a few Republican ideas into the current legislation. Not meaningful concessions, just a few bones to throw the more liberal Republicans. He could have easily picked up 3-5 Republicans who were eager to pass healthcare legislation. If he had done this, he would not have been scrambling to secure the 60th vote. There would have been no Louisiana Purchase, Cornhusker kickback, labor union buy-off’s, etc. He would have had this legislation passed in the Fall and the Democrats would not be facing the 2010 electoral tsunami they are looking at now.
If only president Obama had led as he campaigned, he would have his precious legislation. He has no one to blame, not even the Republicans, other than himself. To that end I say “the Lord works in mysterious ways.”
LDN - 1.20.10
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