Asked during the briefing just now about the idea of an opt-out public option, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was pointedly non-committal.
“I have not talked to them about that but I can certainly ask if that’s something that’s been evaluated,” Gibbs said, presumably referring to the White House policy shop.
Asked again what President Obama thought about the idea, Gibbs offered one of his most frequent dodges: “I have not talked with him.”
Gibbs added the White House is “pleased” with the progress on health care and said when the legislation finally makes it to the Senate floor, “There will be a lot in the legislation that we hope members representing a lot of different constituents can support. I think they will, and I think we’ll get health care reform done this year.”
White House aides haven’t responded to questions about the new idea today.