Allow me to translate

There’s a lot of debate today over what President Obama was saying to his supporters last night when he described what he thinks needs to happen with the health reform legislation from here on in.

The point he made that seems to be drawing the most speculation is this passage:

“That’s why I think it’s very important for us to have a methodical, open process over the next several weeks and then let’s go ahead and make a decision. And it may be that if Congress decides, if Congress decides we’re not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not.”

Greg Sargent speculates that the President is “raising the possibility that health reform may not happen.” Jonathan Chait thinks the President was saying that Congress can’t ignore the bill and “let it die.”

My take on it is simply (and perhaps over simplistically) this: that Obama is telling Congress

1. that once the facts are laid out and discussed in public, Americans will see that the legislation is worthy of passage and

2. if Congress STILL is somehow unable to pass the legislation, they’re going to be held accountable by their voters.

Which is pretty much what we said earlier today.

Tags: Congress, health reform, President Obama

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Posted February 5, 2010

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