WH's Axelrod signals support for weaker health care compromise

Someone needs to get David Plouffe on the phone, because I'm pretty sure Axelrod's interview is the textbook definition of "bed-wetting."

Now, Benen says that Congress doesn't need the President to move ahead. And that's true to a degree. But Congress and the President reinforce each other. If Congress tries to move ahead, especially in this uncertain an environment, and the White House were to publicly undercut them (as it did when Harry Reid was trying to include the public option in the Senate plan and the White House was working behind the scenes to stop him), it would hurt their chances, a lot. And even presidential silence comes at a cost - it's hard work corralling congressional cats, at least on the Democratic side of the aisle. The opportunity cost of a weak president is huge.

I don't absolve Reid and Pelosi of blame for not corralling their cats better, but governing is an intricate dance that runs a lot smoother when both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue are working in concert. And currently we're witnessing concerted bed-wetting all around.