I received a video this morning from the Obama campaign. A former student interviewed me about my research on the link between bankruptcy and health care, and part of the interview appears in the clip. What struck me about the video is its vision. Obama lays out the case that we need universal health care because it is right. Hard-working Americans should not be struck down financially by a broken health care system. Drugs, health insurance coverage, and cancer treatments may save lives, but cost families their financial security.
Obama is not alone in advocating for universal health care coverage, but this video reminded me how far the debate has come. While Democrats debate who will provide the best plan, most Republicans look away. Obama makes it clear in this video that health care is one middle class promise that he will tie himself to: he is willing to be judged by the quality of what he can deliver. A tough, middle class economic issue has become one of the signature pieces that defines this presidential season.
During the campaign, candidates are pushed to come up with specific plans, plans that can be criticized and picked at and shown to be less than promised. This is an important part of differentiating candidates. But the details of the plan are not what define a president. A president is a leader, and a campaign is about selecting a leader who will identify problems and pledge him/herself to find meaningful solutions.
A leader is also someone who makes the case for change. Roosevelt made the case for social security, Kennedy explained the need for technological advancement with his promise to put a man on the moon, and Nixon explained the importance of opening relations with China. They stated the terms on which Americans could shape themselves. The Obama video taps into this same leadership model. He sells the importance of national health insurance to everyone — even those who have their own insurance today.
Progressive policy wonks have been talking about health care for a long time, but less than two years ago those who understood politics better than I did said that the health care system could not be changed — it was too dangerous politically. Now the Democrats are betting that it will be dangerous to remain silent.
There are more middle class issues. Consumer credit. Paying for college. Home mortgages. Preschool. Child care. Transportation costs. Retirement security. Incomes are flat, and families are squeezed on multiple fronts.
I see signs in this presidential debate that the economic pressure on middle class families is beginning to move into the spotlight. That’s leadership I like.
