Why Obama persists with his healthcare yada-yada
For those sentenced to watch every one of the president’s summertime blizzard of healthcare townhalls, the torpid gatherings turn out to offer as much drama, excitement and compelling interest as some new TV show called “Real Housewives of Amish Country.”
Of course, the Obama infomercials — hang on, there are two more this week alone, including one in Montana (Hello, Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus) — are not meant as entertainment to compete with county fair fireworks, the confection conspiracies of reality shows or languid beach walks.
They are part of an unfolding continental struggle over lasting healthcare changes involving hundreds of billions of dollars and something even more valuable to the White House and Republicans, political prestige, heading into next year’s crucial midterm elections. (When the party controlling the White House historically loses congressional seats.)