Just as I was beginning to believe, beginning to have hope that the White House would stick by its principles and support the public option, this takes the wind out of my sails. It's not a total abandonment, but it feels like the beginning of one.
Via AP:
White House officials said Sunday a government health insurance option is negotiable, signaling a potential compromise on an issue that President Barack Obama's liberal supporters consider do-or-die.
And these aren't some of those anonymous leaks we've been so treated to during this process:
The president "believes the public option is a good tool," said Axelrod, who joined with Gibbs in a one-two punch on the Sunday talk shows. "It shouldn't define the whole health care debate, however."
Gibbs called the government plan a valuable tool. But asked if Obama would reject legislation that didn't include it, he responded: "We are not going to prejudge where the process will be."
"I doubt we are going to get into heavy veto threats" in the president's speech, Gibbs added.
Of course, people will point out that these aren't iron-clad statements. And they're right. But sometimes, tone is a lot more detectable than actual words, especially for politicians.
As for the Congressional Progressive Caucus's conference call with the President on Friday:
Now it seems that Obama and his top aides are coming around to the view that a public plan is not essential. On a call with prominent liberal House members Friday, Obama refused to be pinned down on the issue, a participant told The Associated Press.
Well, let's hope they push even further when they meet with him on Tuesday.
I don't want to cause hysterics, or look like I'm chicken little here, but we do need to track this process, if only to apply pressure at every single moment and to shoot down every trial balloon that would compromise the public optioni.