Reply #20: Why do you assume that some concerns expressed about Obama can't serve his purpose?

[Tom Rinaldo]

If you go back to my OP you will see that what I am talking about are concerns related to the current health care reform fight that is nearing its culmination, not some across the board series of wide scale attacks on Obama's character or Administration.

Let's assume as I do and you certainly must also that Obama means what he says when he said he thinks the Public Option is the best way to provide for competition, and keeping insurers honest. From that I conclude that if it's fate is still uncertain it's because of resistance elsewhere, in Congress.

So if somehow the White House switchboard lit up with complaints from callers saying Obama "isn't doing enough" to get the Public Option, does that weaken or strengthen his hand in negotiations? I don't think it would hurt, for example, for Obama to be able to tell Reid; "I'm getting tons of calls saying I'm not doing enough to get the Public Option passed. A lot of people out there obviously feel strongly about this, and those feelings are getting stronger. So what are you going to do to get this thing done?"

How is that a problem for Obama? I especially ask that of those who are telling folks not to worry, we are going to get a Public Option in the final bill. Obama will come out of this smelling like a Rose if a real public option passes, no matter how much skepticism about his leadership gets articulated now.