Why the health care bill is the greatest social achievement of our time.
Jonathan Chait
American liberals have a habit of withdrawing into cynicism and ennui at the most inopportune moments. The 2000 presidential election, and subsequent recount, was one such moment. The most die-hard reaches of the left, deeming the Democratic Party hopelessly corrupt, rallied to [...]
By CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN & PATRICK O’CONNOR
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid eked out 60 votes on a procedural motion to start the health care debate Saturday night – but there’s no guarantee he can pass a bill on the merits.
And as he struggles, the reasons are clear: deep divides among Democrats on a public insurance plan, [...]
For the first time, Barack Obama fell below 50 percent in the Gallup tracking poll.
Obama’s fraught milestone ranks in the lower third of modern American politics. Of the twelve presidents since World War II, Obama has lost the majority at the fourth fastest rate.
It nearly was worse. Obama escaped Ronald Reagan’s fall-point by about a [...]
Peter Wehner
1. The outcome of the New Jersey governor’s race and the magnitude of the victory by Bob McDonnell and other Virginia Republicans will have unusually far-reaching ramifications for an off-year election, including on the health-care debate. I have said before that while politicians follow polls carefully, they really follow election results carefully. And [...]
By KARL ROVE
Passing health-care reform could be harmful to the health of congressional Democrats.
Just look at how President Barack Obama’s standing has fallen as he has pushed for reform. According to Fox News surveys, the number of independents who oppose health-care reform hit 57% at the end of September, up from 33% in July. Independents [...]
The White House announced Monday that the president will travel Thursday night to Copenhagen to make a personal appearance before the International Olympic Committee to promote Chicago as the host city for the 2016 Summer Games.
President Obama is taking his eye off the ball, his critics say, chiding him [...]
By CHARLES M. BLOW
This was conservatives’ seething summer of discontent and unhinged hysteria: town halls, tea parties and tirades. They captured headlines and gained momentum. Misinformation ran amuck. President Obama’s approval ratings tumbled. Through it all, Obama maintained a Pollyannaish, laissez-faire disposition. Some found this worrisome. Others, like me, even thought it weak. But maybe [...]
By Robert Robb
Health care reform supporters claim they are losing public support because of lies and distortions told by opponents designed to scare people.
There’s some of that going on. But the most consequential misrepresentation in the health care debate is actually being told by President Barack Obama and other supporters.
The lie supporters most resent, and [...]
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) — A Georgia congressman said Wednesday he’s received death threats and found Nazi graffiti outside his office in the aftermath of heated protests about health care reform.
David Scott, a Democrat from north-central Georgia, told CNN he has received several offensive faxes and letters, including some with death threats and racial abuse.
Scott is [...]
Christian groups are being urged to swamp town hall meetings. Some are being asked to attend and read the riot act to supporters of health care reform. It is, after all, against God’s plan for health reform, some religious right leaders now say.
God and politics are the hot combination in the health care debate. [...]
