The Patriot Post® · Gruber's Research Swayed Obama on Mandate

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama attacked Hillary Clinton’s health care plan because “it forces everyone to buy insurance, even if you can’t afford it, and you pay a penalty if you don’t.” Gee, that sounds familiar. Oh, that’s right – it’s a critical part of ObamaCare now. What changed Obama’s mind? Jonathan “Stupid American Voters” Gruber, of course. After adding Gruber to his transition team and meeting with him about health policy, Obama came out in favor of the mandate in July 2009. And, according to a 2012 New York Times report, “It is [Gruber’s] research that convinced the Obama administration that health care reform could not work without requiring everyone to buy insurance.” It’s no wonder Obama has tried to distance himself from Gruber, saying, “I just heard about this” kerfuffle, and, “The fact that an adviser who was never on our staff expressed an opinion that I completely disagree with in terms of the voters is not a reflection on the actual process that was run.” Sure thing. More…