Activists must recognize the surest way to get a strong public option that could compete with the Cadillac of health plans. We needed to mobilize millions of Netroots people, almost every union and 150 members of Congress to endorse a maximum demand: National health insurance . . . enhanced Medicare for All. In other words, a cost-effective single-payer system of publicly-financed, privately-delivered healthcare that ends private health insurance (and its waste, bureaucracy, ads, sales commissions, lavish executive salaries, profiteering).

Had liberal groups sent out millions of emails building a movement that posed an existential threat to the health insurance industry, Sen. Baucus and Blue Dog Democrats and their corporate healthcare patrons might well be on their knees begging for a comprehensive public option -- to avert the threat of full-blown Medicare for All.  Cohen - Huffington Post h/t Corrente

Obama was shrewd to out-source the dirty work to Congress...sooo when it becomes a hot mess, he won't have any of that gnarly meat by-product on his hands. Clearly, with few exceptions, they're all working toward the same end-product, on behalf of the same private interests.

The so-called "debate" is partly about creating an illusion of diverse viewpoints (much like you'd see in one of those functioning democracies). And the fear-mongering is a domestic campaign of shock and awe, designed to quash the option that had 72% public support, as of June 20th, namely:

a government-administered insurance plan -- something like Medicare for those under 65 -- that would compete for customers with private insurers.

Obama can always say he was forced into accepting this plan; he wanted better but...oh...so hard to work with Congress...doncha know? Congressional Dems are being set up to bear the brunt of the public's anger and disappointment. (Wonder if he'll get away with that.)

Obama never mentioned the public plan in the prepared (meaning thoroughly vetted) opening remarks for his 7/22 primetime press conference. He mentioned "health insurance reform" in the very first sentence, and then again 4 more times in brief opening sentences.

He finally mentioned the public plan when he was asked directly about it -- by the second to  last questioner.

He's got the plan essentially where he has always wanted it: a boon to business. I believe he's accepted universal mandates because the BIPs see the advantage to having people forced to buy their junk insurance.

He seems far more comfortable talking about digital record keeping and insurance reform.

Also, I don't think "leading" is his MO. He seems to prefer letting two opposing sides establish parameters, then he can "reconcile" things by finding what he perceives to be the exact middle.

So, to BTD's point that it's Obama who has to sell it, forget about it. He can't do it, his heart isn't in it, he doesn't understand it, and it all came shining through for all to see. So, if the choice is, Obama selling the plan, or a lousy, worse-than-before plan, we are doomed.
I don't know if Bill Clinton, at this late stage, can pull it off, but I do know Obama can't.

The Town Hall venue worked for Obama during the primaries because then he wasn't selling difficult issues requiring firmness, assertiveness, and command; He was Willy Wonka, taking a sunrise, mixing it with love, and making the world taste good. Bill Clinton was born in a Town Hall, with a microphone in his hand.

Throughout it all, I called out Obama, in every forum I could, that he was pulling off the greatest con-job in the history of the world. Bill Clinton was nicer; he said that voting for Obama was a "roll of the dice." That was enough for Obama/Axlerod; they unleashed the dogs, and committed the unforgiveable, blood-libel that they'll go to He*L with.

So we closed our eyes, plugged our ears, suspended our ability to think, and went off with "Willy, the Con Man," who exposed the evil "racists."

We wanted him, we voted for him; now we'll live with him.