In backing away from its support for a public option in healthcare reform, the Obama administration is picking a fight with the liberal wing of the Democratic party.
Liberal Democrats have insisted a public insurance option is necessary to ensure competition for private insurers. Just this week, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean predicted there could be Democratic primary challenges if a healthcare bill without a public option is approved by Congress.
Dean also told liberal bloggers gathered last week at the “Netroots Nation” convention that the only piece of reform left in the House bill that is worth doing is the public option.
The left wing of the Democratic Party already has been irritated by concessions its leaders have made on healthcare to centrists in the House and Senate.
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) told CNN on Sunday it would be “very difficult” for her and other liberals to support legislation that does not include a public option.
“The only way we can be sure that very low-income people and persons who work for companies that don’t offer insurance have access to it, is through an option that would give the private insurance companies a little competition,” she said.
Johnson added that House liberals have already told Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that she should insist on White House support for a public option.
Some liberals are already disappointed with positions President Barack Obama has taken since his election.
For example, Obama hasn’t moved to repeal the "Don’t ask, don’t tell" law on gays in the military, to the dismay of some liberals. Others were upset with his decision to not release photos detailing the abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Over the weekend, Valerie Jarrett, a close adviser to Obama, was hissed at and booed by some attending the Netroots Nation gathering over the photo issue, according to a report in The Huffington Post.
This just proves that Howard Dean is mentally challenged. First of all the Democrats most likely to revolt will NOT lose a Primary to a Liberal no matter how much Howard Dean wishes it. Who does he think is going to Primary them. I also notice he didn't mention giving Obama a Primary.
