Word: republicanism
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...contrast between the Republican and Democratic presentations at the health care summit is telling. The Republican leaders, Mitch McConnell and John Boehner, said very little; they let their members with health care expertise do the talking. The Republican delegation had an average age of 60; it included three medical doctors and young policy wonks like Representative Paul Ryan, 40, of Wisconsin. The Democratic delegation had an average age of 66; it included Charlie Rangel, fresh from his "admonishment" by the House Ethics Committee. In the absence of Ted Kennedy, it had no senior legislative health care expert from the Senate...
...favorite moment in Barack Obama's recent health care summit came when Senate majority leader Harry Reid surgically exposed the emptiness of a key Republican debating point, using the classic political tactic of jujitsu: he allowed the force of the opposition's argument to carry it into the abyss. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, an obstetrician, had delivered a passionate - and seemingly well-informed - statement about the need for medical-malpractice reform. "O.K., Senator, you win," Reid responded. "Look, we Democrats don't see malpractice the same way you do. Our traditional supporters among the trial lawyers hate...
...should be noted that the Republican position on health care has been outrageous. The party's real goal has been to stop any and all legislation for political reasons - to deny Obama a major victory. To that end, Republicans have purposely mischaracterized the Democratic plan from the start - as socialism, a government "takeover" of health care. It isn't, of course. In fact, the bill's cataclysmic inelegance is caused in large part by the President's promise that the current, hopelessly complicated system would remain the same for the 80% of the public that's satisfied with the insurance...
...insidious cleverness of the Republican blocking strategy demanded a more precise Democratic response. It demanded more forceful leadership from the President, to be sure. It demanded a brisk, disciplined legislative process. But that seems well beyond the capacity of the current Democratic leaders. The most egregious example was Reid allowing Baucus to dawdle for three months, attempting to cut a deal with the Republicans on the Finance Committee, during which time support for the bill curdled as Tea Party Summer unfolded. The Democrats also allowed their own special interests - the lawyers, the labor unions - as well as individual members...
...miracle of miracles, it may pass. And if it passes - contrary to the conventional wisdom - it will work to the Democrats' advantage. Next fall, their candidates will be able to say, "Because of us, no one can ever take away your health insurance. My Republican opponent voted against that." That is, if they have the brains to make the argument...