Bumble, Bumble, Crumble, Crumble... *

Really, is this any way to write, pass, and then selectively enforce federal legislation? Scrap the whole package, already...

In remarks to the National Governors Association, Mr. Obama said he backed legislation that would enable states to request federal permission to withdraw from the law’s mandates in 2014 rather than in 2017 as long as they could prove that they could find other ways to cover as many people as the original law would and at the same cost. The earlier date is when many of the act’s central provisions take effect, including requirements that most individuals obtain health insurance and that employers of a certain size offer coverage to workers or pay a penalty.

“I think that’s a reasonable proposal; I support it,” Mr. Obama told the governors, who were gathered in the State Dining Room of the White House.

“It will give you flexibility more quickly while still guaranteeing the American people reform.”

Again, we're just pushing back the paydate for these "free" promises further and further.

The administration officials said they had not yet discussed where to find an additional $4 billion, but described it as “not a lot of money” when compared with the estimated $1 trillion, 10-year cost of the law. They said they had not yet consulted with Congressional leaders to map a strategy for enacting the amendment.

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or, WWEKS?*

What Would Ezra Klein Say?
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ADDED: You know who, lately, I've been really feeling sorry for? Michelle Obama. The missus.

I mean,
Does this man ever tell anyone something they don't want to hear? How could you live with that, day in day out? (Honest question -- would drive me up a wall. Because surely somebody's got to be the realistic one.)

I almost wish she would play a more hands-on role in policymaking in this administration, a'la Hilary Clinton. Surely her background suggests more reality check, and backbone, than his. And yet she's just background social support, it seems, despite the legal background and real-life diversity she brings to the table.