JONATHAN COHN FEBRUARY 9, 2011
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This morning on "Morning Joe," the crew was debating about the word of "Obamacare" and whether it's appropriate. As you may have noticed, opponents of law love to use it and supporters don't. And it's safe to assume those opponents don't mean it as a compliment.
It's not just that they want to tie the law, which they hate, to President Obama. It's that they want to reinforce the idea that it's something Obama, and the Democrats, crammed down the throats of the American people.
I get that. And, of course, I get what the polls are saying. This is still not a particularly popular piece of legislation. People may not want to repeal it, but they're not about to celebrate it, either. I imagine the White House and the Democrats have strategists who have run surveys on this and concluded the term is not particularly helpful.
Even so, I like the term. I think this bill will be popular someday and, in the meantime, I think it's a reminder that this administration did something that will help millions of Americans while starting to put our health care system in order. Maybe I'm wrong--I've certainly been wrong about this before--but I think that within a few years, and maybe even by 2012, association with the health care plan will be a net plus.
In fact, my only objection to the term is that it's not entirely accurate. The Affordable Care Act is also Pelosicare. And Baucuscare. And, um, Romneycare. But none of those people are president. Obama is the one who signed the bill. And that means it will always be his, first and foremost.
6 comments
I think it's all in how you say it with a sneer. Bush I had used the phrase "the L word" to connote the pejorative when referring to Dukakis during the campaign. The phrase Bush Crash can be used to describe the subprime mortgage crisis.
- Nusholtz
February 9, 2011 at 9:41am
I just find it interesting that Republicans have to tie it to Obama in such a fashion in order to deride it; my verdict is still out on Obamacare. I think it may prejudice me in favor of the law, keep me from accurately acknowledging flaws or areas for improvement.
- GSpinks
February 9, 2011 at 10:37am
N****r care that’s what Obamacare decodes as. It serves the Republican’s propaganda purpose of stigmatizing the healthcare law as something “real” (which decodes as meaning white) Americans must reject regardless of whatever its programmatic merits; which for white Americans, is not inconsiderable. However, as has been pointed out by commentators in this publication from well over a year ago, the use of a “Muslim,” non-white, un-American face (the President) selling healthcare reform, is a major handicap; which is compounded by the mixed-race picture of those who will benefit from its enactment. That's whats wrong with the picture.
- 12alainu
February 9, 2011 at 11:45am
I have long thought that Republicans will eventually regret tagging the ACA as "Obamacare." If it survives, and after some inevitable evolution, it is likely to become very, very popular (what Republicans secretly fear most) and they will no doubt want to credit the wisdom of conservatives such as Bob Dole, Mitt Romney and Bill Frist (if not Ronald Reagan) in leading us to preserve our system of private providers and private insurers.
- aduncanson
February 9, 2011 at 2:46pm
As you must know, when you type "obamacare" into Google, the first result is healthcare.gov. The first result: ObamaCare Insurers now more accountable for policyholder value. Protections for Young Adults - Coverage Under Age 26 - Individuals www.healthcare.gov
- thom14
February 9, 2011 at 6:43pm
I remember as the economy improved in the eighties the president gloating, "They don't call it Reaganomics anymore." I suspect this could remain "Obamacare" for at least long enough to do political damage to those who use the term, because as it fires up the far right base, it may increasingly become a positive to the center of the country.
- Ouroboros
February 12, 2011 at 10:50am