This is, obviously again, a diary in response to one currently on the rec list in which it is claimed that the White House supports the Snowe trigger nonsense.
Nothing could be further from the truth. All the NYT article cited says is that the White House is keen on courting bipartisanship (tell us something we don't know) and that there is the stated goal of having no Dems publicly criticize Baucus' bill.
The only statement that even remotely comes close to supporting the diary's premise is a quote from Orszag in the Bloomberg article:
Edit re: title. I don't mean it as a declarative statement on the White House's position, simply as a foil for the diary in question. Perhaps I chose those words poorly.
Nothing in this diary is intended as a criticism of Jane, Eve, FDL or any of their efforts. They effin' rock.
Orszag signaled the administration doesn’t consider a government-run insurance program essential to the legislation. He suggested it would be sufficient to either create nonprofit insurance-purchasing cooperatives or set "triggers" to activate a public option if needed to cut costs.
But who cares what Orszag says? Beyond the fact that his statement is in itself nothing new out of the White House, one quote from him does not mean Obama is down with triggers and/or co-ops. Has everyone already forgotten how Obama explained that the debate cannot be about the public option, because it's such a lightning rod? That the focus needs to be on reining in costs, etc.
He knows, as we do, that the public option wins on those merits. But we have to let that play out and Obama, via Gibbs, has stated his intention to wait until a bill is available for comment before really getting into the fight. How can he – or why should he – do so before then? You don’t expend yourself for an indeterminate goal. There are at least three Senate health care bills and there’s reconciliation with the House. Obama would be an idiot to play his hand and pick his battle now.
There is still a lot to be hashed out in this legislation all the blatherings of Obama's entire staff don't mean jack right now. Obama's own words, on the other hand, are worth noting:
For example – for example, some have suggested that the public option go into effect only in those markets where insurance companies are not providing affordable policies. Others have proposed a co-op or another non-profit entity to administer the plan. These are all constructive ideas worth exploring. But I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can't find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice. (Applause.) And I will make sure that no government bureaucrat or insurance company bureaucrat gets between you and the care that you need. (Applause.)