NOTE FROM JOHN: The sources are no longer anonymous.
With several of the top spokespeople from the White House on the talk shows today, it's important to hear what they have to say about the President's role in the health insurance reform debate. How much is he actually doing on Capitol Hill to get the strongest possible bill with the best public option? Because, indications from the Hill are that he's not doing so much. Rep. Anthony Weiner said as much on Rachel Maddow's show on Thursday. Taylor Marsh transcribed the key points and the video is below. Weiner's message:
You know, the idea that the President could have maybe come in and said, you know what, here’s ten guys that I can sway. If the President of the United States calls it’s tough to say no. We’ve kind of been left to do this on our own and you really need the full-throated support of a president at a moment like this when we’re having a big national debate. … But really, I don’t think we can close this out unless the President really helps us.” –
