Sunday, August 16, 2009

Gibbs on Face the Nation Aug. 16

Robert Gibbs answers more questions about health insurance:

The media thought they were getting signals from Gibbs and Kathleen Sebelius on this morning's political shows and is now out with this story:
Bowing to Republican pressure, President Barack Obama's administration signaled on Sunday it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance as part of a new U.S. health care system.
Facing mounting opposition to the overhaul, administration officials left open the chance for a compromise with Republicans that would include health insurance cooperatives instead of a government-run plan. Such a concession would likely enrage his liberal supporters but could deliver Obama a much-needed win on a top domestic priority opposed by GOP lawmakers. AP
Hmmmm. I think the media is wrong. Obama has always said that a public option is what he preferred, but he never ruled out co-ops or other ideas to compete with private insurers. He has been pretty clear that he didn't intend to rule anything out.