Secondary Barack Obama apologist Oliver Willis (Booman is the primary Barack Obama apologist and I have to admit he's very good at it) says nobody ever claimed that President Barack Obama was a progressive and this "he stabbed us in the back meme should die out". Unfortunately, the President has stabbed us in the back on the public option. Furthermore, there are those that claim that he betrayed us from the start of his presidency and has acted clearly as a corporate dem in the pockets of every big contributer/industry out there. I think that's the correct assessment by the way. I don't like saying that because I've benefitted personally from his presidency in several ways. But what's true is true. One more thing: Oliver links to Ezra Klein, perhaps a tertiary Barack Obama apologist, and even he thinks Barack Obama lied about not campaigning for the public option or as Ezra states in his piece "Oy.".
What's the difference befween a corporate dem and a republican? Apparently, they speak better while they're screwing you. Not much else. I guess they'll be better on the courts, unless he cuts a deal with somebody rich. Very discouraging.
Anyway, there are numerous rebutalls to Obama's "I never campaigned on the public option" lie.
Here's a Daily Kos piece which lists, I think, about 10 times where he has publicly said that he supports the public option.
Two quick examples:
Announcement for President, February 10, 2007
When I am president, I will sign a universal health care law by the end of my first term. My plan will cover the uninsured by letting people buy into the same kind of health care plan that members of Congress give themselves.
Remarks to the California State Democratic Convention, May 02, 2007
The very first promise I made on this campaign was that as president, I will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of my first term in office. Today I want to lay out the details of that plan - a plan that not only guarantees coverage for every American, but also brings down the cost of health care and reduces every family's premiums by as much as $2500.
If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness. Everyone will be able buy into a new health insurance plan that's similar to the one that every federal employee - from a postal worker in Iowa to a Congressman in Washington - currently has for themselves. It will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity, disease management, and mental health care.
If you cannot afford this insurance, you will receive a subsidy to pay for it... If you change jobs, your insurance will go with you... If you want more choices, you will also have the option of purchasing a number of affordable private plans that have similar benefits and standards for quality and efficiency.
So, to sum up, we don't ask that the president be the reincarnation of Huey Newton, but it would be nice if he kept his word and somewhat modest campaign promises.
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