COMMENTARY | MSNBC is reporting that three advisers of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney met with White House officials to help in the formation of the national health care reform law, also known as Obamacare. That the story is out now is no accident.
The advisers -- Jon Gruber, an MIT economist, Jon Kingsdale, a health care expert, and John McDonough, head of a Massachusetts health care advocacy group -- were instrumental in developing Massachusetts' version of health care reform in 2006, when Romney was governor. While it is no secret Romneycare was a model for developing Obamacare, the story, based on White House records obtained by NBC News, provides an insight into the depth of how Romney's version of health care reform was a template for Obama's version.
By "obtained" one can translate as "leaked by the White House." Why did the White House do that on the eve of a Republican presidential candidate debate? The answer is, obviously, that the Obama administration wants to harm Romney.
I observe Democratic candidates generally fear to run against moderate Republicans. Moderates, the theory goes, are able to attract a wide spectrum of voters. Conversely, Democrats love to run against conservatives. They regard conservative Republicans as "extreme" and therefore likely to scare voters to their corner.
I think the strategy is Romney is going to get cut up in the debate and on the campaign trail for helping to enable Obamacare. Texas Gov. Rick Perry already has an ad out upon that theme. Perry and the other conservatives now have a strange ally in Obama. Obama wants to run against one of the conservatives, likely Perry, who has proven awkward in debates so far.
There is a problem with the Obama strategy. Republican moderates do not tend to win; conservatives do. Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, conservatives, won their elections. Bob Dole in 1996 and John McCain in 2008, more moderate, lost their races. The reason is that moderates are regarded with a lack of enthusiasm by the Republican base. George H.W. Bush was an anomaly. In 1988, he was seen as the third term of Reagan. In 1992, he had an economic slowdown and Ross Perot as problems.
Perry could learn from his mistakes and become a formidable candidate. Or else Herman Cain could win the nomination. Either way Obama should be careful what he wishes for.
molly sims tony stewart mixology sarah shourd sensa sister wives season 2 kerry collins
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.