HE SPEAKS, WE WIN:

Obama's healthcare messages are backfiring, strategists say (Peter Nicholas, August 22, 2009, LA Times)

The strategists, many of whom saw healthcare reform fail in the Clinton administration, contend that President Obama has advanced too many rationales for his plan, leaving people confused.

For example, Obama has argued that a new healthcare system is necessary to spur an economic recovery. He also has offered up healthcare as an antidote to rising deficits. Earlier this week in a conference call with religious leaders, Obama laid out a "moral" imperative for revamping the nation's healthcare system.

At other points, Obama has portrayed "meddling" insurers as a reason for scrapping the existing system.

His vacation this week is a good test for the White House, which ought to keep him from speaking to the press for a week. They find less is more.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 22, 2009 7:58 AM