On progressive causes, Obama continues to disappoint

Yesterday’s Times reported that, in his speech to Congress, Barack Obama made a ‘strong case’ for the so-called ‘public option’ (the part of his healthcare reforms that offers government-run insurance to people who cannot get affordable healthcare). Frankly, the writer must have been watching another speech. Here’s what Obama said:

It’s worth noting that a strong majority of Americans still favor a public insurance option of the sort I’ve proposed tonight. But its impact shouldn’t be exaggerated – by the left, the right, or the media. It is only one part of my plan, and should not be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles.

Obama failed to give unequivocal support for the public option. In fact, he signaled that he is not really committed to it at all, and invites proposals to replace the public option. Those who want to scrap it will be emboldened.

This is just the latest maneuver by Obama to have disappointed the left. There is, also, e.g., his failure to stand up for a decent stimulus. And his heart-breaking capitulation on LGBT rights.

Liberals assumed, when Obama entered the White House, that he would be a transformational president, able to reorient America’s politics leftwards. That hasn’t happened.

And this is because Obama’s political strategising has been all wrong.
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