The lies Democrats tell themselves to continue pursuing ObamaCare

An equally popular theory is the “We Must Close the Enthusiasm Gap” line. Democrats are demoralized. If the White House does not provide its base a big victory, they will sit out the election. The activists themselves have seized on this theme (and on Rahm Emanuel’s head), in hopes of driving the White House left. “Democrats on Election Day 2010 are going to get an a**-whoopin’ of biblical proportions if things don’t change right now,” warned filmmaker Michael Moore in an open letter to the White House.

To believe this is to believe that a liberal base that remains furious with the White House on Guantanamo, on Afghanistan, on cap and trade, will turn out in enthusiastic droves because the White House passed a health bill that the same base views as a cop out. That base doesn’t want a health-care victory; it wants a public option. Unless the president is prepared to give it to them, Democrats might not want to bet November on base support…

Next up is the “Democrats Must Prove They Can Lead” theory. Until as recently as January, the party had complete control of Washington. Their main accomplishment has been a lot of spending. Health care is a must to prove to voters that Democrats are competent enough to be left in power.

Put another way, Democrats will prove to voters how capable they are by passing a bill that most voters—including 62% of independents—hate. Curious. This theory also assumes Americans will confuse Cornhusker kickbacks, Christmas Eve votes, and a desperate reconciliation process with “governance.” Curiouser. Most curious is that this theory does not allow for Democrats to prove their leadership by dropping ObamaCare and instead passing measures that are popular with the public and have bipartisan support.