NY Times Editorial: Obama Should Promote Health Care Law

[Anonymous]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/opinion/too-quiet-again-on-health-care.html?_r=1&hp

This editorial struck a chord with me. I can't for the life of me figure out why Obama and his supporters aren't out there promoting the benefits of the Health Care law.

Wouldn't more people support the law (and Obama) if they understood how it would benefit them? So why is the Obama administration not out there getting the word out? Or are they, but I've missed it?

More generally, I feel like there must be some strategy in play that I'm missing. Is there a good reason for Obama to lay low right now while the Republicans are talking up a storm on this issue? What's the plan?

[Anonymous]

Totally agree with you. It's the biggest political lost opportunity in modern politics that I can think of.

[Anonymous]

They will get there. It's a long way to November. And there are at least six million families who don't have to be told a thing, because their 20-somethings are insured because of Obama. That's at least 18 million voters including the parents and the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will get there. It's a long way to November. And there are at least six million families who don't have to be told a thing, because their 20-somethings are insured because of Obama. That's at least 18 million voters including the parents and the child.

Sure. But here's the thing: if the 20-somethings already have a job, they don't need their parents' coverage . . . and if they don't have a job, they're likely pissed about it (as are their parents.)

That said, I hope you're right that they'll get there. I get that Obama's not a braggart, but I truly don't understand willfully downplaying one's accomplishments.

[Anonymous]

A lot of the employed 20-somethings are in jobs without full benefits. Quick and easy example: many young nannies who are working as nannies between college and getting a teaching job or further degree. They're thrilled to be on their parents' insurance. Kids who may take a gap year or volunteer stint. Kids who work 30 hours/wk but employer only gives benefits at 35hrs. Kids who need to take a semester off school for financial, health, emotional or other reasons. Lots of them out there.

[Anonymous]

He hasn't promoted it thus far because the Supreme Court just ruled on it a week ago. Would have been pretty inept to tout the benefits of the ACA, only to have the SC rule it unconstitutional. I'd expect he will start touting the benefits now, with a message tailored to counteract the "Obama is a Tax Raiser" line of attack from the GOP.

[Anonymous]

Way back in American history (about 40 years ago), a very smart (but possibly evil) American president promulgated a strategic law: Don't peak to soon!

Aside from the well-made point about not knowing what SCOTUS was going to do, Obama may well figure that he is better off saving ACA until September, when voters get serious about the election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Way back in American history (about 40 years ago), a very smart (but possibly evil) American president promulgated a strategic law: Don't peak to soon!

Aside from the well-made point about not knowing what SCOTUS was going to do, Obama may well figure that he is better off saving ACA until September, when voters get serious about the election.

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Agree with this. I do not agree with all of his policies and some of this actions (see execitive priviledge action) totally tick me off, but he has proven himself to be a good strategic and long term thinker. I think Sep - Oct are going be very interesting months.

[Anonymous]

Good points. And thanks. I needed the reassurance.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes it seems Obama is better at promoting himself and his compelling personal story than he is at promoting his very real and significant accomplishments. He needs to stop pandering to special interest groups, most of which will vote for him in a bloc anyway, and turn his attention to (1) doing something really bold on the economy and (2) effectively selling the many good things he's already done.

[Anonymous]

please....please promote it. that way not only he will lose but all the democrat senators and congressman will lose too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:please....please promote it. that way not only he will lose but all the democrat senators and congressman will lose too.

Bad news for you: When people hear what's actually in the law, they love it.

[Anonymous]

don't forget to promote how he wasted his first 1.5 years on Obamacare while he should have been focusing on the economy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:don't forget to promote how he wasted his first 1.5 years on Obamacare while he should have been focusing on the economy.

Wasn't a waste. Law of the land now. That's progress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:don't forget to promote how he wasted his first 1.5 years on Obamacare while he should have been focusing on the economy.

Wasn't a waste. Law of the land now. That's progress.

It could have been done in a few month if the Republicans had been interested in improving the bill rather than destroying his presidency.