Word is, there’s a new health-care angle in the longest debate in the history of all long debates. Earlier today Politico published a story that introduced this (rehashed) talking point:
One caucus member told POLITICO that Obama won him over by “essentially [saying] that the fate of his presidency” hinged on this week’s health reform vote in the House.
Looks like the idea was agreeable–even the writers down in New Orleans have picked it up (emphasis mine):
President Barack Obama on Wednesday asked Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao, R-New Orleans, to take a fresh look at the language on abortion in the Senate health care bill to see whether he could, in good conscience, support landmark health care legislation now days from a final vote.
Cao, the only Republican to vote for the health care bill in either the House or Senate, said he would take another look.
“He’s asked if I would restudy the Senate language and that I would approach it with an open mind. And I promised that I would go back and study the Senate language again,” Cao said after meeting with Obama in the Oval Office for about 10 minutes Wednesday.
Cao said he appreciated the president’s sensitive approach in seeking his vote on an issue that many observers say could make or break Obama’s presidency.
Get that? Cao’s decision isn’t about abortion, it’s about Obama’s legacy.
Cynicism: 1; Hope: 0