Open Thread

August 19th, 2009 9:55 AM

For general discussion and debate. Possible talking point: flip-flopping away on public option.

The White House fell into full retreat yesterday from its earlier surrender of Democratic plans for a massive new government-run insurance agency as part of its health-care reform bid. The Obama administration now says it remains fully behind the idea of a "public option" for government-run insurance, despite clear signals over the weekend from top officials that the public option is not a deal-breaker and is just a "sliver" of the overall reforms it seeks.

What the heck's going on here?