Obama Working Our Last Nerve Again

Andrew Sprung on the extraordinary self-restraint and patience of this president, which is enough to drive mere mortals to distraction:

It's Obama playing a long game again -- driving supporters of HCR insane with anxiety and frustration. While most of us fret that as the clock ticks wavering Democrats will panic more and "run for the hills," as Obama enjoined them not to in the SOTU, he seems to be betting on the opposite: that as time passes, the suicidal logic of running away from monumental legislation they already voted for is what will sink in.  Jonathan Chait has made this argument repeatedly -- originally last summer, when HCR was dying its first apparent death.

Sargent has more on yet another truly baffling, frustrating, nerve-working Obama statement last night:

So there’s a lot of information out there that people understandably are concerned about. And that’s why I think it’s very important for us to have a methodical, open process over the next several weeks, and then let’s go ahead and make a decision. And it may be that you know, if Congress decides if Congress decides we’re not going to do it, even after all the facts are laid out, all the options are clear, then the American people can make a judgment as to whether this Congress has done the right thing for them or not. And that’s how democracy works. There will be elections coming up and they’ll be able to make a determination and register their concerns one way or the other during election time.

Jesus, Mr president. Are you trying to give Cohn a nervous breakdown?