Health care rope-a-dope?

by David Safier
Allow me to indulge in a bit of hopeful fantasy.

I wonder if the Democrats, intentionally or unintentionally, have been playing rope-a-dope with the health care debate.

Maybe the conservatives have more tricks hidden away that will match the town meeting shouters and the Death Panel liars. Maybe they can keep controlling the media coverage and drown out anything the Democrats have to say. But maybe not. Maybe everything they come up with from now on will appear weak next to what they've already done. And people, and the media, will be underwhelmed and unimpressed.

If you remember the famous Ali-Foreman fight, an aging Muhammad Ali knew he was no match in a blow-for-blow exchange with the unbelievably powerful George Foreman. So Ali slumped against the ropes and allowed Foreman to swing away. Sure, Ali took lots of punishment, but he was able to put together enough defensive moves and use the slack ropes to absorb most of Foreman's power without being seriously hurt. Occasionally he fought back, but he mainly allowed Foreman to tire himself out. Most of the audience through Ali was getting pummeled and would end up on the canvas. In the middle rounds, Foreman's power began to wane, and Ali got more aggressive, in spurts. Finally, in one of the most amazing moments in boxing history, Ali went after Foreman with a barrage of perfectly aimed punches, and Foreman went down for the count.

The Republican's town hall shouting is so yesterday. They can't revive that old side show and expect to get any traction. The Death Panel lie had its day, but its power has ebbed. Unless the conservatives and the insurance companies have enough in reserve to keep punching with the same kind of power they expended in the early rounds of the Congressional recess, they're not going to be able to dominate the debate anymore.

Meanwhile, I haven't seen Obama look this spirited since the campaign. He's been in his element, and in his glory, during the town halls. The media has eaten it up. Lately, CNN has started to have quiet, serious discussions about health care reform. If that kind of thing keeps up, the momentum will begin to swing back our way.

The conservatives and the insurance industry will keep punching, keep flailing, just as Foreman did until the final few seconds of the fight. But what if they're punched out?

I can dream, can't I?