Scapegoated for ObamaCare Failures, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Resigns

Posted on | April 11, 2014 | 64 Comments

Thursday’s resignation of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is the biggest move yet in President Obama’s effort to rescue his signature government health-insurance plan, and to limit the political impact of the program’s failure.

The administration and its allies are trying to convince Americans that problems with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are just temporary technical glitches with a website — the “botched rollout” narrative — rather than fundamental flaws with the law itself.

Sebelius’s resignation fits that narrative, permitting Democrats and their media sympathizers to claim that problems with ObamaCare were caused by the former HHS secretary’s incompetence, and not by any basic problem in the president’s program. This is likely to become a key issue in the campaign for the fall mid-term elections, in which Republicans seeking to capture the Senate majority will argue that ObamaCare is a complete failure that should be repealed, while Democrats will say the policy is successful, but simply had a few early glitches that have now been fixed. Liberal blogger Ezra Klein offers the Democrat spin:

Obamacare has won. And that’s why Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius can resign.
Calls for Sebelius’s resignation were almost constant after Obamacare’s catastrophic launch. The problem wasn’t just that Sebelius had presided over the construction of a fantastically expensive web site that flatly didn’t work. It was that she didn’t know healthcare.gov was going to instantly, systemically fail. And so the White House didn’t know that healthcare.gov was going to instantly, systemically fail. The demands that Sebelius to step down — or be fired — were as deafening inside the building as outside of it.
But President Obama refused. As National Journal’s Major Garrett reported, Obama believes that “scaring people with a ceremonial firing deepens fear, turns allies against one another, makes them risk-averse, and saps productivity.” Moreover, there was too much to be done to fire one of the few people who knew how to finish the job. Sebelius would stay. The White House wouldn’t panic in ways that made it harder to save the law.
The evidence has piled up in recent weeks that the strategy worked. Obamacare’s first year, despite a truly horrific start, was a success. More than 7 million people look to have signed up for health insurance through the exchanges. Millions more have signed up through Medicaid. And millions beyond that have signed up for insurance through their employers.

In Klein’s pro-Obama narrative, then, not only is ObamaCare a successful policy, but the president’s handling of problems with the website’s launch demonstrated his competence as an executive.

Ben Domenech offers the conservative interpretation:

Kathleen Sebelius is resigning, and Rachel Maddow is right to not be happy about it, not one little bit. For once, I completely agree with Maddow’s analysis. This surprise resignation presents Republicans with an unexpected opportunity to refocus the conversation on Obamacare’s negatives, offers a chance to force vulnerable Senate Democrats to take a hard vote on Obamacare six months before the midterms, and serves to disrupt what had been a positive few days of media spin for the health care law into another conversation about its many failings.

Domenech sees the upcoming confirmation vote for Sebelius’s appointed successor at HHS — Office of Management and Budget Director Sylvia Matthews Burwell — as a “golden opportunity” for Senate Republicans “to reignite their crusade against Obamacare,” forcing Democrats to give an up-or-down vote on a nominee who will serve as a “proxy” symbol for the program’s failures.

Domenech should caution his GOP friends on Capitol Hill to tread carefully, as Democrats and their media allies may be luring Republicans into a “War on Women” trap, setting up a situation in which a bunch of old white guys are seen attacking a female nominee.

This trap could best be avoided simply by calling attention to how the administration is deliberately setting up Burwell.

Having made one woman (Sebelius) a scapegoat for ObamaCare’s failures to date, now the White House disingenuously shoves another top female administration official into the political meat-grinder, hoping to obtain a short-term political benefit from Burwell’s public humiliation in Senate hearings. Considering how Hillary Clinton was scapegoated for the Benghazi massacre, Republicans might well ask, “Why does Obama always blame women for his failures?”

Category: Barack Obama, Health Care

Comments

64 Responses to “Scapegoated for ObamaCare Failures, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Resigns”

Larro
April 11th, 2014 @ 10:48 am

She resigned because of its success?
It was a complete immaculate conception, so she blesses it and walks?

Damn
I could use that spin in my pants this sat nite…
Like, when I’m bull riding down at cowtown colsieum
Anchovy
April 11th, 2014 @ 10:58 am

I could get rich selling kneepads and Vaseline to Ezra.
PCachu
April 11th, 2014 @ 11:03 am

“…the president’s handling of problems with the website’s launch demonstrated his competence as an executive.”

Yes. Yes, it did.

Just not the way Li’l Ezzie wants to think.
Da Tech Guy On DaRadio Blog » Blog Archive » The Sebelius Effect vs the Obamacare Effect
April 11th, 2014 @ 11:06 am

[…] Update 2: Stacy makes an interesting point […]
RS
April 11th, 2014 @ 11:24 am

September 2, 1945–Tokyo Bay

Today, the Imperial Japanese Government resigned its post, having accomplished everything it intended to do. Said Ezra Klein, “On balance, in spite of a few glitches, the entire conduct of foreign policy demonstrated the competence, the regime of Emperor Hirohito is known for.”
Anamika
April 11th, 2014 @ 11:39 am

The collective insanity runs through us, and has ascendancy in current US politics and a fair bit of religious expression. We can see how fragile is the fabric of civility and respect. One tipping-point and we will be in a fascist theocracy, and “rights” go out the window.

No amount of homilies about peace will change our partaking of the stream of collective insanity. Have we cleaned our mirrors enough not to buy into it? I am not talking about “resisting” any authoritarian developments with courage or whatever, just being inwardly prepared to meet day-to-day life with clarity, and maybe a little bit of respect.

Just asking! The place to answer is inside.
pabarge
April 11th, 2014 @ 11:49 am

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2014/04/11/sebelius-replacement-the-person-who-shut-down-the-veterans-memorials-last-year/

nice
Rosalie
April 11th, 2014 @ 12:00 pm

“One tipping-point and we will be in a fascist theocracy, and “rights” go out the window.”
That’s Obama’s goal. I thought you were all for it? The remainder of what you wrote befuddles me.
RS
April 11th, 2014 @ 12:12 pm

One tipping-point and we will be in a fascist theocracy, and “rights” go out the window.

If by “theocracy,” you meant “Marxist Dictatorship,” then I might have thought you’d experienced a moment of lucidity. Alas, taken as a whole, your comment is your typical, off-topic gibberish.
ZZZZZZZZ
April 11th, 2014 @ 1:13 pm

Well, commies view communism as a religion, and Marx as a prophet or even a deity, so, yeah, they equate “theocracy” with

“Marxist Dictatorship.”
Katherine Sebelius sacrificed for the greater good: The Wheels of Obama’s Bus go “thump, thump, thump!” | Batshit Crazy News
April 11th, 2014 @ 1:25 pm

[…] The Hope and Change Bus Stops For No Woman […]
Kathleen Glitches Her Way… Away From Here | Regular Right Guy
April 11th, 2014 @ 1:28 pm

[…] Officially. Just last month she said she had no intentions of going anywhere until November. But something must have come […]
Stanley
April 11th, 2014 @ 1:53 pm

I have learned the hard way that scrolling past you is essential to navigating the comments section. It’s the only effective way to deal with you.

Shame. You could have achieved so much if only that detail-absorbing mind of yours, combined with focus, could have been applied to more constructive purposes.
PatDissent
April 11th, 2014 @ 1:53 pm

Who the hell cares what the Goddamned lying scumbag Commies think? I don’t care if the entire government resigns, it cannot expunge the stench of failure and incompetence that radiates from the Oval Office. ObamaCare isn’t a failure because of *ONE* Goddamned lying scumbag Commie; ObamaCare is a failure because of *ALL* the Goddamned lying scumbag Commies.

‘Nuff said.
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:02 pm

I don’t even get why the troll is still here. Some of her posts are so inarticulate they don’t make any sense
ZZZZZZZZ
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:16 pm

“[Edit by popular demand]”

Applause!
Anemone Blooming
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:38 pm

Never trust a conman #PaulLemmen #JeanetteRunyon @rsmccain @Patterico @AaronWorthing @ali @Kimberlinunmask @Popehat http://t.co/PSsd48KngB— anemone blooming (@anebloo) April 11, 2014
Anemone Blooming
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:38 pm

Never trust a conman #PaulLemmen #JeanetteRunyon @rsmccain @Patterico @AaronWorthing @ali @Kimberlinunmask @Popehat http://t.co/PSsd48KngB— anemone blooming (@anebloo) April 11, 2014
Anamika
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:53 pm

Thanks Stanley, for your feedback. I value it highly.
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:57 pm

You forgot #NicoleBonet1
Anamika
April 11th, 2014 @ 2:59 pm

It matters little if what you hear is derision or applause. What is important is not to be forgotten. To be noticed is an insatiable need. It has to be fed again and again. They say that fame last only 15 minutes, but the satisfaction from hearing praise last less. It’s not enough to be praised once. We need to be praised often, and by ever increasing numbers, and in more extravagant terms.

The need for fame is a hungry devil, who when praise is not available prefers insults to silence.

All is vanity, and delusion, my dear. When they praise you, they are not praising you, when they insult you, they are not insulting you. It’s the image of you in their head that they praise, or insult. They don’t know you from shit, and never will, no matter how hard you try to reveal the “real you.” Be indifferent, dear. What others think of you matters not, unless you’re applying for a loan, or a job.
RS
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:02 pm

A humble suggestion: In lieu of editing, may I suggest the “DELETE” key.

No need to thank me.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:07 pm

Anamika: The wheels of Obama’s bus go thump, thump, thump!
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:10 pm

Oh, and #NealRauhauser.
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:10 pm

Oh, and #NealRauhauser.
Anemone Blooming
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:25 pm

https://twitter.com/wjjhoge/status/454570107675885568
Anemone Blooming
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:25 pm

https://twitter.com/wjjhoge/status/454570107675885568
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:31 pm

@NicoleBonnet1 who is clearly part of this illustrious group aided and abetted by my sister Ondrea Tye. @geogoldstein who is following Neal (@anebloo)
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:31 pm

@NicoleBonnet1 who is clearly part of this illustrious group aided and abetted by my sister Ondrea Tye. @geogoldstein who is following Neal (@anebloo)
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:35 pm

One common denominator, of many, is their belief in the stupidity of those they troll. Anemone Blooming suddenly appears Twitter recently and concerns itself with esoteric issues and of all the people on Twitter, follows 8 or 9, including NicoleBonnet1? Yeah, right.
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:35 pm

One common denominator, of many, is their belief in the stupidity of those they troll. Anemone Blooming suddenly appears Twitter recently and concerns itself with esoteric issues and of all the people on Twitter, follows 8 or 9, including NicoleBonnet1? Yeah, right.
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:37 pm

Pay your back child support. It’s the right think to do. You do understand that concept, don’t you? “The right thing to do?”
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:37 pm

Pay your back child support. It’s the right think to do. You do understand that concept, don’t you? “The right thing to do?”
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 3:48 pm

Two of which are stalking me on line and off……My sister had been stalking me by proxy for eight years http://exposingsutter.blogspot.com/2013/11/sutter-has-been-gone-for-while-but-his.html
Quartermaster
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:09 pm

We’ll have to fumigate all of DC after this incompetent maladministration.
Quartermaster
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:10 pm

That would have been a far better choice. I guess she doesn’t get noticed anywhere else.
Anamika
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:12 pm

You have my deepest sympathy…hope one day you will come to peace with the world.
Quartermaster
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:15 pm

Your sympathy would be best reserved for yourself, given your history here. People like you do not allow any of their targets to have peace at all, if they can help it.
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:18 pm

Agreed!
Cube
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:19 pm

I’m astounded at this admission that Obamacare is a complete failure. Make no mistake, that’s what this resignation is. I didn’t think they had it in them to confess to being wrong.
someone/anyone/no one
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:31 pm

oh yes oh yes i agree. the poor me stuff is very off putting – idealised hate is the flip side of idealised love – they’re actually both run by the ‘poor me’ syndrome. ie the victim syndrome. you’re a victim (of need) before you go into the group, looking for a saviour. you’re a victim (of need) whilst in the group, falling in love with a dream. you’re a victim (of need) once out of the group, falling in hate with a dream. then they whinge for the next however many years: poor me, poor me, what a bastard/bitch that stalker was abusing me so much. instead of facing all along what the reality is. yes abuse may have occured, the cyberbully figure may have been a bastard, but why sit around saying poor me and then expecting great doses of sympathy the rest of your life – still stuck in being a victim of need. learn the lesson, the deepest lesson for you in what occurred, accept the learnings nad growth and joy and despair and love and friendship and wisdom and crap that did occur and say, “well that was an interesting experience – now it is over i move on with what i learnt – thank you universe for allowing me to experience that one.” only my opinion, but i do deeply feel this is the case.
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:40 pm

Was this English? Please someone translate it’s almost unreadable
Rosalie
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:41 pm

I’m sure Sebelius already has a job lined up. The Left rewards failures.
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 4:43 pm

LOL yup failing upwards it’s how government works
Mm
April 11th, 2014 @ 5:25 pm

Ondrea, is that you?
Jeanette Victoria
April 11th, 2014 @ 5:27 pm

LOL sure reads like her classic psychotic illiterate gibberish
Grace
April 11th, 2014 @ 6:00 pm

You and your fellow troll Anamika do realize that more words (especially in the form of gobbledygook) in NO way equates to one being smart/smarter, right?

Simply leave the fine company on this fine blog and go drool on that attention whore @NicoleBonnet1’s Twitter timeline. You pathetic, stalking haters deserve each other.
Thomas
April 11th, 2014 @ 6:04 pm

OMG ^^^^ this peron needs to be on medication this is a classic psychotic rant If this is Jeanette’s sister I hope Jeanette has taken proper percautions as this person could be dangerous
Grace
April 11th, 2014 @ 6:07 pm

Sorry. I don’t speak Leftist Troll gibberish.
Grace
April 11th, 2014 @ 6:28 pm

I know Jeanette quite well. And, I can promise she has no reason to “come to peace” — “with the world” (read: the vile stalkers who attempt to rob her of peace).

There will come a day when their “peace” is very much changed. The wheels of justice grind slow, but, grind they do.

A bit of advice… Probably not wise for you to get involved. Well, that is — if you’re not already. Heh. Just sayin’.