April 9, 2010

Where the GOP went wrong on healthcare

By: AF Editors

Reihan Salam and Josh Barro [subscription required]:

Few conservatives have distinguished themselves in the course of this debate. The unwillingness of the congressional GOP to line up behind the McCain plan [from 2008], a tough and serious proposal to move toward health-insurance coverage based on individual ownership, was an early mark of unseriousness. During the 2009–10 debate, rather than articulate a compelling narrative that accurately describes the sources of crippling cost growth, most conservative politicians offered scorched-earth attacks on “socialism” while defending the single-payer Medicare program that lies at the heart of our fiscal imbalance. While opposition to tax increases remains strong among Republicans, few have presented plans to hold the line on taxes while taming the federal budget deficit.

A key exception to Republican fecklessness has been Paul Ryan, ranking Republican member on the House Budget Committee.

Intellectually, I can sympathize with Reihan and Josh. Practically, I have a hard time imagining the GOP getting together behind any alternative reform plan. The role of the opposition is to oppose, especially when the majority presents something so flawed.