Tuesday, February 23, 2010

But Enough About Jobs, Have You Heard About My Health Plan?



By Ed Carson
Mon., Feb. 22, '10 3:24 PM ET


President Obama is engaging in a risky strategy with his latest health care push. Democratic plans have been unpopular. But just as important, Obama’s health care monomania keeps Washington’s focus off the economy and jobs.

Half (49%) of Americans say the economy is the country’s top issue, with health care a distant third at 11%, according to January’s IBD/TIPP poll. Among independents, 54% say the economy should be the No. 1 priority vs. just 8% for health care.

In his State of the Union address last month, Obama suggested he would focus on jobs. The Senate is moving on a modest jobs package. But House legislation passed in December is far bigger and lacks the hiring tax credit. It may take a while for a bill to reach Obama’s desk. Of course, economists question whether the various proposals would have much impact on hiring. Administration officials implicitly reinforce that impression by stressing health care day after day.

Obama and the Democratic Congress are sending a message to voters: “We will ram through a gigantic health bill that you do not want and ignore your concerns about jobs.”

This is the same strategy that the White House and Nancy Pelosi followed last year. Election expert Charlie Cook says that was a huge mistake.

Instead of immediately pivoting back to the economy when unemployment proved to be worse than anticipated, Obama plowed ahead with health care reform, all but yelling, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” That enraged voters still more.

Obama does not seem to have learned his lesson from his first year in office. Instead of moving to limit his party’s electoral losses in November, he seems determined to continue antagonizing voters.

Source:http://blogs.investors.com/capitalhill/index.php/home/35-politics/1420-but-enough-about-jobs-have-you-heard-about-my-health-plan

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