In the last 24 hours, I've received two emails from the Obama campaign -- one (yesterday) inviting me to tomorrow's Strategy Conference, and the other (just minutes ago) suggesting that I visit the new "Setting the Record Straight" website.
In both emails, what was previously referred to as "Health Care Reform" is now "Health Insurance Reform."
I smell another step-back.
From yesterday's email (emphasis mine)...
The President will update us on the fight to pass real health insurance reform -- what's happening in D.C. and what's happening around the country. He'll lay out our strategy and message going forward and answer questions from supporters like you. And we'll unveil the next actions we'll organize together.
From today's email (emphasis mine)...
It feels like a new lie about health insurance reform crops up each day. Government taking over all health care? Not true. Euthanasia for seniors? Couldn't be more false. Rationing of care? Reform will stop rationing, not increase it.
In both cases, I sent a return volley, asking simply, "Why is it, all of a sudden, health insurance reform? I thought we were after health care reform?"
Obviously, the insurance piece is one side of the health coin. No denying that. But it seems odd that once again, the administration's language is suggesting a lowering of the crossbar.
Single Payer is stepped back to the Public Option, which is stepped back to cooperatives, which is now stepped back to simply "health insurance reform."
Splitting hairs? Maybe. But given the poor message management of the last 30 days, maybe not.