Main Obama Advisor: Public Option Negotiable

From Boston.com; the resignation of Obama green industry adviser over upsetting right-wing sensitivities does not bode well, either, for the public option.

White House: public health care plan is negotiable

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Associated Press Writer / September 6, 2009

WASHINGTON White House officials said Sunday a government health insurance option is negotiable, signaling a potential compromise on an issue that President Barack Obama’s liberal supporters consider do-or-die.

As Obama prepares for a Wednesday night speech to Congress in a risky bid to salvage his top domestic priority, political adviser David Axelrod said a public plan is not the core issue in the health care debate. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs danced around a question about whether Obama would veto a bill without the public option.

The president “believes the public option is a good tool,” said Axelrod, who joined with Gibbs in a one-two punch on the Sunday talk shows. “It shouldn’t define the whole health care debate, however.”

Their appearances came ahead of Congress’ return this week from a summer break that saw eroding public support for an overhaul and contentious town hall meetings in lawmakers’ districts.

Gibbs called the government plan a valuable tool. But asked if Obama would reject legislation that didn’t include it, he responded: “We are not going to prejudge where the process will be.”

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