Obama Team Ready To Start Health Reform Rally

The White House launches a media blitz this week to coincide with the shrinking timeline for getting a health reform package passed in the Senate, Roll Call reports.

"Some of the events may have been planned before Obama's health care effort ran into difficulties, such as the decision by Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to delay today's planned markup - possibly until next month - and a suggestion by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on Sunday that the votes to pass the legislation do not yet exist."

Aides to President Obama remain in close contact with key committee leaders Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Chris Dodd, D-Conn., on the legislation and the time table.

"White House aides say they are not frustrated - at least not yet - with Baucus' failure to hold a markup today as planned. They note that the reasons for the delay - including efforts by the chairman to include Republicans and ensure the bill does not increase the deficit - comport with Obama's desires and that Baucus should not be blamed for attempting to follow the president's request. They continue to hope Baucus will move the legislation out of his committee this week and that floor consideration in the Senate and House can be completed next month, as originally planned" (Koffler and Drucker, 6/23).