Some administration officials are saying that the progress on health care reform legislation, and the increasing likelihood that it will become law, vindicates President Obama’s largely hands-off strategy to reform. Rather than come out with his own reform plan, as President Clinton did, Obama set broad principles and let Congress develop the details. The approach had its risks, especially as the debate about a public insurance option threatened to derail the entire effort (and still could). And many lawmakers complained that Obama needed to be clearer about what he would and wouldn’t sign into law. But by keeping some distance, Obama has forced lawmakers to take ownership of the legislation and work through their differences.
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4 Comments
One thing that has been pointed out about Clinton’s attempt is that by being so forceful he owned its failure.
Congress is notorious for not wanting to do anything they will have to own, take the acclaims but not the faults.
In that sense yes Obama has done right in forcing the Congress to do the details.
But a committee can be dumber then any one of it’s members.
There are simple and apparent things wrong and things to be corrected.
But they can get lost in the details of trying to fix every little perceived wrong.
“Hand-offs” strategy?
heh heh
O’BAMA has had more health reform lobbyists and private meetings than a barnyard dog has fleas.
Obama did not have to put his foot down on every little detail, but his willingness to accept almost anything was depressing.
But the coming warfare in the Senate is going to force him to take some firm positions–if anything will–and if it isn’t with the majority of his own caucus, then the bill is as good as dead–or should be.
Hands off?
No way!
He campaigned for this! He begged for this!
Obama gets ALL THE BLAME for whatever POS Health Care Bill that HE signs!