Congresswoman Blackburn just did a fine job laying out the need to allow the purchase of insurance across state lines. She was clear and concise, and even finished her presentation before the president could cut her off.
President Obama was somewhat conciliatory in response, saying that he thinks we can bridge the differences on this issue, but — and it’s a big but — it would have to be via the Democrats’ national exchanges and in the context of imposing an individual mandate. In other words, he was conciliatory without conceding any policy ground.
Blackburn called him on it, saying that President Obama wants to let some insurers in, while she wants to let consumers out. The Blackburn approach is more consistent with expanding the market and increasing competition.
Unfortunately, this interesting exchange was followed by Joe Biden launching into a long disquisition on the deficit, introduced by those most dangerous words “I’ll be brief.”