CNN's Gergen: 'Strategic mistake' for Dems to have Sanders debate healthcare

[Lithos]

77. the problem I have with this is the alternative

If the debate stops at Obamacare, then the goalposts are set there - you go no further, no improvements. That constrains and will ultimately yield something less than what we have. If you move the goalposts farther back, then it shows that what is there is not enough.

The issue is Obamacare was a compromise and is not perfect. Single-payer as well as fixes to Pharma offer a whole series of ideas which would otherwise never be considered. These are the ideas which improve Obamacare for the benefit of the United States. Not considering these out of hand leaves a lack of ideas on our side whose vacuum will be filled with cruelty of the Republican talking points.


The Republicans learned this along time ago - there is no such thing as the status quo - you keep pushing your position, no matter what. We have to do the same.

As for the question - why Sanders. I believe Sanders got this because he is the Democratic Chair of the Budget Committee and was one of the authors of the ACA. Is this damaging to our brand? Not really. What is damaging is continually pushing him as an "outsider" to the Democratic Party (even though he's not) which given the sentiment of the US electorate turns people off.