Thread: HealthCare Speech - What did you think?

Originally Posted by loueedacat

By weak president I mean abdicating his job - presenting a healthcare plan that is moderate - to Congress. He was "hired" to be a moderate, not to delegate to the left wing in Congress. He was too weak and inexperienced to seize the initiative on his own issue, left it to the Pelosi types, and now he's in a jam of his own making, trying to rescue a leftwing drafted reform package by trying to steer it to the middle, when he should have taken the initiative and presented a moderate package in the first place. That would have been strong. Delivering a nice speech isn't strong. He can speak - no one disputes that. Unfortunately, being a strong President requires more than delivering nice speeches, and he still doesn't get that. He thinks he's still a candidate.

I'm not averse to a more dramatic overhaul, but I think Obama correctly read that that just ain't happening, so no point dwelling on what might academically make more sense. And his point that whether we end up with public or private options is just a means to an end was dead on. The problem is he didn't focus on the "boring" stuff that really needs to be addressed, whether it's addressed with public options, private options or a mix.

But bottom line is he needs to lead on this, not just inspire, and he doesn't know the difference.

For the most part, you nailed it for me.