Unlocking Obama's Mind On Health Care

By Marc Ambinder
I want to pose two questions about President Obama, the White House, and health care. I don't know the answers.

First, would Obama veto a non-deficit neutral bill if that bill (a) provided insurance for everyone and (b) included other, longer-term cost-cutting measures?  

Second -- was Obama's tactical flexibility on a public plan because he 

(a) isn't convinced that the votes exists for the type of a public plan that would really reorient the health care marketplace?

(b) knows that a plan without a public option would never get to his desk but doesn't want to tip his hand?

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2009/06/unlocking-obamas-mind-on-health-care/19956/