Speaking to House Democrats about the health care reform issue Thursday, President Obama declared "If Republicans want to campaign against what we've done by standing up for the status quo... that is a fight I want to have." (source) I'm sure it would be but Republicans are not standing up for the status quo. Perpetuating that lie is what allows the president to pretend there's a fight he can win and that it's only Republicans he's fighting.

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In reality, the Republicans (and the majority of the American people) are standing up against a government takeover of one-sixth of the nation's economy. They are standing up against inevitable health care rationing, increased premiums, new taxes on some insurance plans, government bureaucrats making patient care decisions and unconstitutional mandates. Meanwhile the Democrats are standing up against conservative ideas such as meaningful tort reform and allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines.

But even more unsettling than the details on this particular issue is the attitude of our president - this man who was elected because of his promise of post-partisanship and a different tone in Washington DC is now looking for a fight with those who disagree with him and according to the latest Gallup poll, that's the majority of Americans. Specifically 58% disapprove of the way President Obama is handling health care policy and 56% disapprove of the way he is handling the economy overall.(source)

In spite of these opinions Mr. Obama continues to claim we'll thank him later. In that same speech to House Democrats he acknowledged the unpopularity of his health care plan but then added, "Once we sign this bill into law the American people will suddenly learn this bill does things they like...the worst fears will prove groundless." If that is really true, why the closed door negotiations to hide the details of the bill? Why all the arm twisting and bribing to get his own party members to vote for it?

Also on Thursday, the president sent out a video plea on behalf of Democrat Martha Coakley who is in that surprisingly close race to fill the late Senator Ted Kennedy's seat. On the video Mr. Obama says of his fight to pass his idea of health care reform, "It's clear now that the outcome of these and other fights will probably rest on one vote in the United States Senate. That's why what happens Tuesday in Massachusetts is so important." (source)

With the majority of the American people opposed to his policies and proposed programs, one has to wonder exactly who President Obama is so eager to fight.