Politico has a rather odd post today, claiming that the Obama administration's decision to adopt a very popular health care policy is somehow alienating "high-profile Catholic Democrats." And whom does Politico cite as evidence?
At this point, the Democratic defectors are few in number but tall in stature. They include two swing-state pols on the November ballot — Obama’s former DNC chairman, Tim Kaine, who’s running for Senate in Virginia, and Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey — as well as House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson. [...]
Other Catholic Democrats who have come out against the edict this week include Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois and freshman Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who’s up for reelection this year and has called the Obama edict “un-American” and a “direct affront to the religious freedoms protected under the First Amendment.” [...]
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), an Orthodox Jew, tweeted Wednesday that he opposed the administration’s mandate.
Oh no! Joe Lieberman—who is neither a Democrat nor a Catholic—is angry about something? Let me check my Things About Which I Give a Damn List ... nope, Lieberman's thoughts on this, or any other issue, aren't on the list.
The traditional media continues to portray this "debate" about contraception as something that has angered Catholics, alienated the president's fellow Democrats, and may even pose a threat in this year's election.
But poll after poll shows that the majority of the country is with the president—not the disingenuous Republicans, like thrice-married serial adulterer Newt Gingrich, who has once again appointed himself the arbiter of morality, or the Catholic Church, whose own authority on issues of morality is non-existent.
Greg Sargent rather mildly observed that "these numbers do suggest at least the possibility that leading commentators have been far too quick to declare this a certain political loser."
That's a very understated and polite way of saying that the traditional media, which keeps insisting that contraception coverage is a political loser for the president, are flat-out wrong.
This is not an issue that requires any more debate. The American people have spoken. They want the Affordable Care Act to cover contraception without co-pays. Period.
It's time for the media to report the facts, not the ginned-up hysteria from Catholic leaders and Republicans.
And it's time for the president to say enough is enough. The debate is over.
Send an email to the White House and tell President Obama to stand firm on requiring all health insurers to cover contraception without co-pays.