Cracks in the White House Facade

September 6, 2009 (LPAC)—A senior Washington source reports on fissures in the White House, over how to proceed on health care (really on a broader array of issues, as will be apparent). The hardcore London austerity grouping—Summer, Geithner, Orszag—are fully committed to radical austerity policy, to satisfy foreign creditors that the deficit will be cut, despite bailout, Afghan war, etc. They cannot give up on the health care "reform" and are pushing that Obama has to go forward with the full T-4 policy. This is part of an overall mandate for vicious austerity across the board. There are others in the West Wing, especially Axelrod and others concerned more with the President's crashing poll numbers, who are saying that the issue on the table is saving the Obama Presidency from early destruction. They are looking for a way out of the health care policy mess, and would be inclined to take some watered-down "victory" which does not meet the demands of the London/Wall Street austerity freaks. In the middle of this crack, Rahm Emanuel is proposing, essentially, that they resolve the difference by wielding total political muscle to win passage of a bill with the austerity T-4, etc. by forcing the entire Democratic caucus in the House and Senate to bend to the White House will. This is perhaps the craziest position of all. This is what is building towards Wednesday's Obama address to the joint session of Congress. The outcome is unknown at this moment, but one way or the other, the splits in the White House are very pronounced, and there is definitely a fault line between those out to save the Obama Presidency, versus those committed to the London/Wall Street radical austerity plan. The politicos are actually right, that if Obama goes ahead and pushes IMAC and the rest of the swindle on Wednesday, he will be faced with an even bigger revolt. And added to the reality of the mess, he is under great pressure to authorize more troops and more money for Afghanistan, which is totally at odds with what the American people want. Reality can be cruel!