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Obama's Health Reform Waffling May Be Savvy

Prez perhaps following his predecessors in 'strategic uncertainty'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2009 11:08 AM CDT

(Newser) – It may not be timidity that’s keeping Barack Obama from pushing harder for a public health care option. He may instead be employing a time-tested presidential technique: “strategic uncertainty,” writes Jill Lawrence in Politics Daily. Key for Obama is getting strong Senate support for a bill, and “the best way NOT to get” that support “is to declare right now that you won't settle for anything less than a full-scale public plan.”

President Lincoln barred Kentucky slaves’ freedom before the Emancipation Proclamation; FDR's “enigmatic performance” let him gather all the facts before showing his hand. And Obama may just be biding his time before coming down hard: if the House passes a bill with a public plan and the Senate passes one without, that could be the most effective time to strike.

In this Aug. 15, 2009, President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo.
In this Aug. 15, 2009, President Barack Obama talks about health care during a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo.   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
President Barack Obama takes his jacket off as he talks about health care at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15,  2009.
President Barack Obama takes his jacket off as he talks about health care at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 33 comments
timeandagain
Aug 19, 2009 9:04 AM CDT
Yes, but Clinton was smart. This guy is really stupid...
2-bits
Aug 19, 2009 8:52 AM CDT
I mean ClearSight. if thats not... clear
2-bits
Aug 19, 2009 8:51 AM CDT
vorant1: Video game or no, he's a dick. I don't know if you've seen some of the invective he throws at other people, but its nasty.

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