Category: 
by Obama Pundit
When Obama and Congressional Democrats were passing laws earlier this spring expanding the size of the federal government by 34 percent, there was little or no cry from the mainstream media about the need for moderation or bipartisanship. You see, the press agrees with the idea of a larger government in general, so Obama’s proposals were roundly cheered. Moderation and bipartisanship–two bugaboos long held dear by the media during GOP rule–were no longer sacrosanct, not with the Democrats back in power.
David Broder, the epitome of the establishment journalist, was particularly quiet. But now that it appears that health care reform is in danger of being chopped to pieces, with the Democrats suffering the bulk of the damage, he has once again dredged up the notion that bipartisanship and moderation is a holy covenant to be pursued by all. His latest column extols a Tom Daschle-Bob Dole alliance to advance some sort of politically palatable health care bill. Of course, that paragon of GOP moderation, Howard Baker, is involved as well.
Let’s be real: The point of all this is to get some kind of health care law passed with the least amount of short-term damage to the Left politically (meaning, the 2010 elections). What better way to give Obama cover on all the controversial issues produced by health care reform than to call on a couple of crotchety old senators to advance a bipartisan solution? If enough Republicans go along, then some of the potential anger over the bill can be dissipated among both parties. Whatever program is actually produced can always be expanded and modified later. Dole and Daschle will serve to get the policy’s foot in the door. Hopefully, the GOP does not fall for this. The true believers on the Left like E. J. Dionne don’t want it anyway.
Now, if only Broder had called on Dole and Baker to take part in the stimulus package, he might have a leg to stand on.
And perhaps we’d even have some money left over for health care reform…
