As the legislature gets ready to tackle healthcare reform, the NYT reports that, in contrast to early reports of the contrary, President Obama may not be as bipartisan on this issue as once previously thought. If anyone is looking for proof that the president has an issue that is near and dear to his heart worth protecting at any cost, it’s his commitment to greater healthcare access and affordability for all. Now, via the process of reconciliation, it appears that it will be much easier for Obama to push his agenda through.

At the prodding of the White House, Democratic Congressional leaders have agreed to pursue a plan that would protect major health care legislation from Republican opposition by shielding it from last-minute Senate filibusters. The aggressive approach reflects the big political claim that President Obama is staking on health care, and with it his willingness to face Republican wrath in order to guarantee that the Democrats, with their substantial majority in the Senate, could not be thwarted by minority tactics.

While some Democratic senators were reluctant to embrace the arrangement, Mr. Obama made clear at a White House session on Thursday afternoon that he favored it, people with knowledge of the session said. Mr. Obama has given way in some battles with Congress, but the new stance suggests he may be much less willing to compromise when it comes to health care, his top legislative priority, even if it means a bitter partisan fight. The no-filibuster arrangement is fiercely opposed by Republican leaders, who say health care is too important to be exempted from the Senate rules that usually mean major bills must win support from 60 senators.

That no-filibuster option  appears to give Obama the political capital he needs to establish a possible legacy at this benchmark of his First One Hundred Days in office. To the delight of his fervent supporters during his campaign for president, he will not only ensure their trust on this singular issue, but he’ll also stake an important leadership claim very early in his presidential career — one which will have an immediate and influential economic policy impact. | LINK

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