However, amid Obama’s media tour unveiling his new $850 million presidential center, documents obtained by Zeteo and the Lever through an open records request show Obama as president scoffing at demands that he more forcefully navigate those same barriers on health care policy, when he and his party controlled the White House and large majorities in Congress.
The documents also show Obama’s staff cheering him on after he rebuffed a supporter who was disappointed by the president’s surrender on his promise to enact a public health insurance option — a proposal that conservative Democrats continue to tout today as an alternative to Medicare for All.
Party had a supermajority
Obama had a mandate for a public option
He immediately caved to Republicans and “blue dogs” (controlled oppo)
He didn’t fight for it. He didn’t rally the public. He went straight for a republican healthcare plan
This. He had a few months where the Democrats could’ve passed anything they wanted, and the best they could do is the limp dick ACA.
And how many of those Blue Dogs would have demanded his scalp if he’d done what you suggest?