What would LBJ do to pass health care reform?

[Orsino]

25. You're talking honest numbers.

Those should never be just an excuse, as you say. We are dealing with Republicans, though, who will cherry-pick numbers. A big, bad CBO score on cost could certainly be an excuse for a GOPer who is dishonest about what we're getting for our money to refuse to discuss a bill further.

As usual, you and I are splitting different hairs. When I say that cost isn't a factor for a Republican, I'm referring to ostensible negotiation with that party and in the media in order to gain support or compromise on a bill we want. When you insist that cost is a factor, and should be, I don't disagree with you--when it comes to the real impact of a prospective law, we on the Dem side need to be the grown-ups who are relatively straight with voters about cost/benefit, and we need to make good deals when the numbers don't add up.