Watch as Robert Gibbs goes into the belly of the beast to deliver the news that health care reform is going to become the law of the land — and it will become law of the land within the next week:
The subtext of Gibbs' statement couldn't be more clear. Not only did he basically declare victory on the question of whether health care reform would pass, but he did so on Fox News, the biggest media cheerleader against reform.
In political terms, Gibbs wasn't just saying "we won" -- he was also saying "you lost." Despite months of biased coverage, partisan political attacks, and a steady stream of outlier polls from Rasmussen, despite the best efforts of Sarah Palin, John Boehner, and Mitch McConnell, Republicans lost, demonstrating their political impotence beyond any shadow of doubt.
Thus far, the conventional wisdom has been that Republicans are enthusiastic and Democrats are demoralized. Thus far, that conventional wisdom has also basically been accurate. But the thing you have to remember is that thus far the Democrats have failed to pass health care reform. Republicans were actually winning, against all odds.
But in this coming week, all that changes. Health care reform will pass. Democrats will have demonstrated their ability to tackle big issues. Republicans will have demonstrated their irrelevance. After reform passes, there might be an initial surge of excitement among Republicans, but that will quickly fizzle in the wake of the GOP's failure to stop reform.
If you want to preview the reaction of the GOP base, check out the comment thread on Fox's coverage of Gibbs' appearance. Instead of reflecting enthusiastic GOP tea partying, that thread is filled with comment after comment from Republicans angry at Fox and the GOP for failing.
I have this ball in the pit of my stomach, Sanders.
Likewise, Bloomer. They are c o c k y in their statements lately.... and that means they know they have some real leashes on some of the "no" sayers.
Here's the frustrating part. The Dems are pushing what would tantamount to a Repub plan (think about it: with the mandage, it gives a LOT of new business to the private sector without a public option that competes at any level) and Repubs are not endorsing it.. The voters and the resident taxpayers be damned! Mandate, but no public option. Not at all good.
Worst thing about it is it will take away the impetus needed for public option. How could they have screwed it up so bad!!! (Not often I say the bad word)
-- Edited by Sanders on Monday 15th of March 2010 02:09:21 PM
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Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010 Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010