Obama is for a public option, but...

By Michael J.W. Stickings

And it's a big BUT.

Stephanopoulos: "[Press Secretary Robert] Gibbs says the President will make the case for a public option in his speech to Congress on Wednesday but he won't issue a veto threat if it isn't in the final package."

Okay, fine. So he'll make the case for it but could end up agreeing to a bill without it.

But will his public support for the public option resonate with Democrats either on the fence or with Republicans? Will he say enough to bring them back? Will he be able to unify his party?

Also, what will he say in private, behind closed doors? Will he push for a public option? Will he lobby in support of it, seeking to rally support for his supposedly desired outcome?

Does he really want a public option? How much is he willing to compromise, to give in?

Questions, questions, questions...

I'm still on Obama's side here. I do think he wants meaningful reform with a robust public option. I just think he's being realistic -- and that, up to now, his strategy has been to talk up bipartisanship and let Republicans play their (extremist, obstructionist) hand, eroding whatever credibility they had.

But now, with Republicans decidedly against reform, and with Democrats left to work for reform on their own, it is imperative that he take the lead in making it happen.

It's just that nagging doubt again: How much is he willing to give up to get it done?