Ezra Klein raises an interesting point in response to McCain’s assertion that Obama’s health care plan “will force small businesses to cut jobs, reduce wages, and force families into a government run health care system where a bureaucrat stands between you and your doctor.” Money quote:
I should say, of course, that not only isn’t this true, but it’s nonsensical … here’s the question I’d love to see John McCain asked: “Senator McCain, can you describe how Senator Obama’s health care plan works?” And if he gets it wrong, I’d like to see the moderator correct him and ask what he thinks of the actual plan.
I’d bet good money, and a fair amount of it, that there’s no way he could describe it. And I wouldn’t mind seeing the same question put to Obama. The two of them should be forced to display some rudimentary understanding of what this debate is actually about, and if either can’t, that should say a lot about the salvos that have been unleashed thus far.
I have a feeling Klein would win that bet. In fact, I’d wager that both candidates would struggle to accurately describe the specifics of their opponent’s policies. Any takers? Unfortunately, the only way to get an answer is for the media to pose the question during a debate or press conference, and that’s something I wouldn’t bet on happening.