Opt Outs?

This new proposal for a public option where by they would be set up nationally and then individual states could opt out of them if the so choose doesn't sound like a half bad compromise if one is needed to get it passed in the Senate inside health care reform. Policy wise I think its good because the public option would be set up universally across the board which to me would elevate its chances of success. And by taking an opt out approach then they can make the public option as robust as they want so the states that really want one aren't punished by those who don't.

But the real upside I see from this kind of compromise is political. As they say all politics is local and having an opt out clause will put quite a few Republican governors on the hot seat including those mulling presidential runs in 2012 or 2016. Obviously their wingnut base will be clamoring for them to opt out ASAP, but its going to be damn near impossible for Haley Barbour or Rick Perry or any other of those other Republican governors to face the residents of their state and tell them that they won't be able to get the same opportunity to have health insurance that residents of other states will have. Talk about an interparty implosion. I have a feeling that when push comes to shove many of those Republican governors will discover the propriety of being pro health care reform.

Also this should solve the problem of getting corporatist Democrats on board to vote for cloture as well. It takes the decision making out of their hand and so like the bought and paid for cowards that they all are they can pass the buck onto their state governments. As long as they have away to escape any blame I am sure they will be gung ho to support it.

So far this seems to just be a whisper i the wind without a whole lot of specifics but if and when it picks up steam I will definitely be keeping an eye on it.