The only real policy difference between Senators Clinton and Obama is their view on the healthcare mandate and people like Paul Krugman, NY Times columnist, are clobbering him over the head with it. .
Senator Obama is the honest one running for the democratic nomination. He needs to neutralize this discussion by being frank telling Americans that NO ONE YET KNOWS SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ABOUT HEALTHCARE REFORM. Senator Clinton’s promise of universal healthcare for everyone in the first year is not realistic. Republicans will not jump on the bandwagon just because the president says so and policy changes in Washington move at a snail's pace.
Senator Obama also needs to reassure Americans about universal healthcare. Further he can say that when he is president he will ensure that a multi-disciplinary coalition of experts will thoroughly research all angles, including talking to patients and providers extensively and exploring all healthcare delivery systems around the world to understand what works and what doesn't.
The important point is that both agree we need to overhaul our healthcare system and provide universal healthcare. A delicate issue needs to be finessed so again, the nuances they are discussing are not really worth our time.
Senator Obama needs to eliminate the focus placed on this conversation so the upcoming voters not distracted by meaningless rhetoric and policy conjectures, the breadth of which many voters do not fully understand.
