It is unclear how close Congress is to getting a health care bill to the president, but what is apparent is how criticism of the legislation is gaining momentum. The storyline last week was the White House vs. former Democratic party chair Howard Dean – and I got both perspectives this morning on “Meet the Press.”
The White House responded to attacks on reform by stressing cost control and increased accessibility. David Axelrod, senior adviser to the president, said on MTP:
Still, even Axelrod admitted the proposed legislation would not necessarily reduce costs, only contain them.
Dean’s critique has been that a health care bill without a public option won’t bring reform. Asked if he would vote for the bill, Dean said, “My position is let's see what they add to this bill and make it work. If they can make it work without a public option, I'm all ears. I don't think that's possible.”
Axelrod told me, “I respect Howard Dean. I think he's someone who cares passionately about this issue… just think when you look at the bill in its totality, it doesn't square up with his critique.”
Dean’s comments are exactly what the president doesn’t need just before Senate Democrats try to pass the legislation. The criticism from Dean, a medical doctor, has resonated strongly with the liberal base of the party that has been disheartened by Obama’s perceived abandonment of the public option.
Plus, a big question that the White House is trying to downplay is how this health care battle will effect Democrats in 2010. Axelrod told me, "I think we're gonna have a good result next-- next November. And I'm not gonna predict-- where we are. Again, we're governing through difficult times. I think we're gonna be in a better place. And what I suggest is that you guys-- wait until next October to talk about polls, when they're actually germane to an election. Because that's-- that's an eternity away."
It's a view many feel is overly optimistic. Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos.com, said polling used for his Web site shows 86 percent of Republicans are likely to turn out to vote next year, compared to 56 percent of Democrats. "If we have numbers like that we're going to get killed in 2010," Moulitsas said.
Catch additional insights from Joe Scarborough, Tavis Smiley and Ed Gillespie here.
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