THE-ROCK-OBAMA-large There was a hilarious sketch earlier this year on “Saturday Night Live” in which President Barack Obama is shown compromising his agenda in one congressional visit after another, until he finally loses his cool and morphs into “The Rock” Obama–portrayed by the host of that episode, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The newly energized Obama tosses his disagreeable tormentors–including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi–out the White House window. We finally got a taste of the real-life “The Rock” Obama in his speech last night to Congress and the nation.

President Barack Obama deployed his most effective weapon–his powerful rhetorical skills–to marginalize his opponents and galvanize both Congress and the nation into action on health care reform.

Like a grownup quieting a bunch of loud, quarreling children, President Obama methodically and forcefully reinforced the many areas where everyone seems to agree, while leaving wiggle room on the few areas where consensus has escaped him.

And while trying to ease the irrational fears of those who see boogeymen under the bed–the frightening specter of “death panels” and “socialism”–by taking on those shamelessly spreading misinformation and outright lies, President Obama was not above playing the fear card himself.

The only difference is that the fears he cited are real for far too many Americans.

He correctly reminded everyone who has insurance, including those who might even be satisfied with their carrier, how tenuous their health security really is–that they all might be a layoff or an illness away from losing their precious policies.

Of course, he delivered the obligatory lambasting of the insurance industry for excessive profits and heartless underwriting decisions. But he also threw them a bone by mentioning malpractice reform.

He also promised millions of new customers for insurers by reiterating his support for mandates–both on individuals and employers.

About the 800-pound gorilla in the room–the public option–it's clear he won't allow that one provision to make or break his reform campaign. He certainly wants such an option, and insisted that any public plan would have to be self-sustaining.

But given the fierce opposition in the Senate, and that body's undemocratic 60-vote super-majority hurdle, he realizes he is unlikely to get it, and began bracing his more progressive supporters for that inevitability.

In the end, what did President Obama accomplish with last night's speech?

He jump-started the reform process and generated renewed political momentum for eventual passage later this year on a bill that will eliminate an insurer's right to exclude or overcharge for preexisting conditions, or dump policyholders who get sick.

He reiterated his newfound support for individual and employer mandates–promising subsidies and exemptions for those who cannot pay.

He opened the door for malpractice reform, and perhaps set the stage for creation of non-profit cooperatives in a health insurance exchange, rather than a full-fledged public option. (I still wish he would establish Health Insurance Assigned Risk Plans instead, but that idea is not in the room at this point, let alone on the table.)

However, I am convinced President Obama will sign a historic health insurance reform bill before the year is out. I wasn't so sure last month, given the ferocity of the attacks against his allies in Congress.

Even the Republicans know this, although I doubt they are prepared to admit it. They sat last night looking appropriately dour, but no matter how much they mope or hold their collective breath, one way or another, a bill will pass this Congress.

There was one moment of outright disrespect–when Rep. Joe Wilson, an otherwise obscure South Carolina Republican–shouted out that President Obama was lying when he said he was not seeking coverage for illegal aliens. The opposition also laughed derisively when he conceded that there are a lot of details still to be worked out.

But he basically shrugged off such churlishness, and made crystal clear that he is not going to stand back and be pummeled any longer by critics without fighting back, and would not allow his allies in Congress to be bullied by lies and disinformation campaigns.

“The Rock” Obama has arrived!

Following through on his rhetoric won't be easy, no matter how much he flexes his presidential muscles. But Mr. Obama staked his presidency on this issue by throwing down the gauntlet in last night's speech, and I doubt he will accept anything less than a reform bill on his desk by year's end.

What do you folks think?

Special Reports /

Obama Throws Down The Gauntlet!

Related Stories

Recommended For You