it's purported liberals, like ezra klein and uwe reinhardt, who are setting up the public option as outer fringe.

supporters in news (analysis? article in the WaPo today. Kind of scary that those who want actual "affordable, high-quality care available to every American" are making it difficult for Obama to deliver "affordable, high-quality care available to every American."

The title may not be Connolly's responsibility, but it sure is the WaPo's: Health-Care Dialogue Alarms Obama's Allies. Which allies would those be, pray tell? Big Pharma? Big Insurance? Do tell!

As Congress returns to begin an intense debate over reshaping the nation's $2.2 trillion health-care system, prominent left-leaning organizations and liberal House members are issuing a warning to their Democratic allies: Don't cave on us.

The early skirmishing -- essentially amounting to friendly fire -- is perhaps the clearest indication yet of the uphill battle President Obama faces in delivering on his promise to make affordable, high-quality care available to every American.

SNIP

More than 70 House Democrats recently warned party leaders that they will not support a broad health reform bill that does not offer consumers a government-sponsored policy, and two unions withdrew from a high-profile health coalition because it would not endorse a public plan.

So, what's to worry about? Oh, yeah...

Last week, two top administration officials suggested that Obama is open to compromise on the public plan, comments that set off alarm bells in some corners of his party.

"That's what got the left nervous. I took that as a signal to Senator Grassley" that Obama is willing to negotiate around an issue Grassley has vehemently opposed, said Len Nichols, health policy director at the New America Foundation, a nonprofit think tank, referring to Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa). "It was the first time the president indicated he could live without it."

Maybe, but he's sure hinted he could live without it.

During last year's campaign, Obama proposed offering a government-sponsored plan as a low-cost alternative for Americans who are having trouble purchasing insurance in the private market. Proponents say it would reduce costs because it would not need to make a profit or pay large executive salaries.

SNIP

"The sacred cow on the left and the right is the public plan," said former senator Thomas A. Daschle, who was Obama's first choice to oversee the reform effort.

In comments last week, Nancy-Ann DeParle, head of the White House Office of Health Reform, said the ultimate solution may rest in how a public plan is defined.

"There are different breeds of public plans that could be part of this," she said, explaining that the Medicare model is not the only approach.

Feel comforted?

Yesterday, a spokeswoman clarified that Obama has not taken the idea off the table but is willing to consider any proposal that meets his broad goals. "The administration is open to all ideas for achieving those goals," Linda Douglass said.
(My emphasis)