Congressional Democrats point finger of blame at Rahm Emanuel on healthcare - TheHill.com

Ok, as we all know, the health care plan put forth by Democrats is as dead as King Tut. But the politics of blame take center stage as Congressional Democrats begin piling blame on White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel.

Democrats in Congress are holding White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel accountable for his part in the collapse of healthcare reform.

The emerging consensus among critics in both chambers is that Emanuel’s lack of Senate experience slowed President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

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"I think Rahm ran the play his boss called; once Obama called the play, Rahm did everything he could to pass it, scorched-earth and all that,” said a senior lawmaker, who added that Emanuel didn’t seek a broader base of Senate Republicans. “I think he did miscalculate the Senate. He did what he thought he had to do to win."

Senate Democrats grilled White House advisers last week during a special Senate Democratic retreat, expressing frustration over the lack of a clear plan.

While Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) ripped chief political strategist David Axelrod, Senate Democrats say Emanuel, who was more closely involved in managing negotiations in Congress, also deserves scrutiny.

No Democrat is calling for Emanuel’s resignation, even privately, and they acknowledge his hard work and straightforward approach in a very tough job.

They also say there’s plenty of blame on healthcare to go around.

I don't think Emanuel is to blame for the failure, even a little bit. Yes, he was pushing healthcare like all Democrats, but the notion that he was implementing the President's plan is ludicrous.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like Emanuel's politics and I certainly don't like his "my way or the highway" and "everyone else be damned" modus operandi, but President Obama didn't have a play or a plan on healthcare. Congressional Democrats are hoping to have the blame slide from them to the White House, hoping it will save their hides come November. But make no mistake, Congressional Democrats are to blame for the implosion of health care reform. The plan was too radical, to big government and too expensive for Americans to swallow, particularly at a time when spending was too big already.

In the long run, Congressional Democrats failed to understand that while Americans want change, they are not prepared for radical changes. Furthermore, the failure of Congressional Democrats and yes, Congressional Republicans, to listen to the American people before the debate started was what led to the downfall and the fall out will no doubt continue.