I know what you are thinking. Of course Obama’s speech didn’t convince those right-wing crazy’s who disrupt townhalls and yell things during presidential speeches; they’re close-minded yahoos.
But it seems the president’s strident insistence that action be taken has failed to convince the very people he needs to win over: Blue Dogs or Democrats in districts worried about getting re-elected.
John Boccieri, for example:
U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, praised President Barack Obama’s speech on health care Wednesday night, calling him “clearly a good communicator,” but saying, “I don’t believe the president has shifted any of my opinions.”
“I still have concerns about some of the ideas that’ll be on the table. Concerns about how this will affect some of the small businesses in my district,” he said. “The question is will the House create a bill that looks like what the president said tonight.”
Boccieri said he has not yet decided if he would support the establishment of a public option, or a government-run health insurer to compete with private health insurance companies.
Wait. So everyone who is holding up instant sweeping health care “reform” isn’t a deceptive, paid lackey of the powerful insurance lobby? You mean people might have real concerns about the impact on small businesses and the economy? You mean people aren’t just playing politics while people suffer?
Hmm, maybe the president should have acknowledged that in his rhetoric and demeanor last night instead of acting as if only selfish partisan interests are preventing his plan from being passed.
