Right now, the meme being pushed by the administration and supported by the media is that objections to taking things like the public option or Medicare buy ins off the table "only" come from "the left" (or "the angry left").

But, as these polls show, the American people -- left, center and right, moderate, progressive and conservative -- aren't and won't be judging reform as ideologues, they are and will be judging it as consumers. To be successful, politically and pragmatically, reform must meet their most important needs and objectives as consumers.

If the administration, and health care commentators in general, continue to dismiss and frame these concerns and objections as coming "only" from the ideological fringe, right or left, rather than as based in pragmatic, real world experience and concerns, there's no hope for better reforms down the road. Because real world pragmatism is already lost and the best arguments already conceded.  

If we hope for improvement down the line, it is very important that the deceptive and dismissive "angry left" framing not prevail. As a resident of a blue state that made major insurance reforms in the 1990s, only to see those reforms minimized and lost to push back by the insurance industry over the following decade, I know that the likelihood of things being improved, rather than made worse, is slim. These interests will be pouring millions, if not billions, more dollars into making sure that their interests prevail over those of the consumer. In no way can we expect them to fold up their tents and go home.

Why continue to do their work for them by dismissing pragmatic consumer concerns as merely ideological? And disrespecting those who voice those concerns?

If you think that doing so can support Obama's political interests, you are wrong. If reform doesn't ultimately meet the needs of the health care consumer, they won't serve Obama's political interest either.

I actually could make a pretty good argument for having it pass a month or so after.

I suppose however, that in the tradition of SOTUs and their aftermath, Obama will be barnstorming for some new initiatives - probably about jobs.

o Turns out that the over $1,000,000 the DCCC spent on Griffith was well spent.  They just helped elected a Republican.  

o Griffith had actually voted with Republicans 84.85% of the time on crucial votes already, anyway, according to Progressive Punch. link