Hillarysworld

Obama's Calculation of When to Take Credit

On a day that such sweeping and historic legislation passed through the Senate, President Obama, across town, was compelled to weigh in. It was, after all, the signature domestic issue of his campaign and Obama had worked increasingly with Senate leaders in the last days of the debate, at one point even directing Senate leaders to accept a deal with fence-sitting senators to win vital support for the package.

Speaking in the State Dining Room beside Vice President Joe Biden, Obama appeared tired but relieved. “The reform bill that passed the Senate this morning, like the House bill, includes the toughest measures ever taken to hold the insurance industry accountable,” Obama said.  “With today’s vote, we are now incredibly close to making health-insurance reform a reality in this country.” The statement was, in true Obama style, minimalist, intended not to get too deep in the weeds on an issue that will still take extraordinary compromise. It’s also isn't─at least not yet─entirely Obama’s trophy.

The image of Obama signing a final bill in the Rose Garden surrounded by party leaders will be his heure de triomphe. But between now and then, deciding when to take credit, and exactly how much, is a thorny calculation.

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