"The American people deserve more than partisan posturing and legislative gamesmanship on an issue this vital," he said in a speech practically interchangeable with various proclamations on everything from the budget to campaign finance reform. "A bipartisan majority is poised to pass this bill, but now they are being blocked by legislative tactics." For Republican leaders, who insist its the Democrats, not them, whove tied cement blocks to the bill, the goal is to position HMO reform as close as possible to the business interests that support them most fervently. That means limiting lawsuits and capping damage awards. Democrats tend to prick their ears to the trial lawyers, who see HMOs as the most lucrative enemy since Big Tobacco, and, most important, the angry patients on whose behalf the suits would be filed. Both sides have a point, even if theyre not above using "gamesmanship" to make it. But as it usually goes when Clinton and the House GOP brain trust square off, it aint hard to pick a winner.
"This is a familiar dance," says TIME congressional correspondent John Dickerson. "And Clinton, like so many times before, is backing a viewpoint thats very easy for him to demagogue." Not to mention that its pre-election maneuvering time — and voters are hopping mad at the HMOs. Will Clintons tune soothe the savage congressional beast? It might - after all, it was fear of getting outmaneuvered again by Clinton that pushed Speaker Hastert into his compromise effort. But Denny really cant win either way. Give in, and its the leadership left holding the bag while Democrats declare victory. Push though the weaker bill, and Clinton and the Democrats blame the majority and ride the populist patients-rights sentiment all the way to the 2000 polls. Either way, expect somethingto be ready for the Senates consideration by the close of debate on Thursday. After the summer hes had, the last thing Hastert can afford to do is nothing.