The Expectation is KILLING ME... okay, maybe not

So, what are we going to hear tonight? That is, if we are watching. The President’s prime time press conferences have gotten a decreasing number of viewers each time. I think tonight is a little different considering the tremendous hot button that the healthcare debate has become, plus this is a speech to Congress so it carries a lot more weight than just your average press conference.

Will he say that healthcare reform must include a public option? Will he give an unreasonable deadline, considering the real bill hasn’t even been made public yet, or possibly even been written? Will he announce that his own team, rather than Congressional leadership, is crafting the bill? Not a question of if, but how often, will he mention the late Senator Kennedy?

This could be a huge opportunity to win public favor and convince the American people that he is taking the reigns on this issue and he’s going to do it right. If he announces that they are going to slow down and really weigh their options because healthcare reform is too big and too important to get it wrong, he will get broad support and unanimous approval. His ratings would spike. The far left would be critical, but he would win over independents, a group that he is losing in droves right now.

There are lots of things that could be done with this speech, but will any of it make a difference. An address to Congress carries a lot of weight, but also a lot of expectation. This is a rare occasion. If treated lightly it will hurt his credibility. People are tired of platitudes and generalities. The average Joe has heard more about healthcare in the last 40 days than they ever want to hear about again. They want the specifics. They want the nuts and bolts. No more messing around and vague generalities. Unfortunately, the President has notoriously lacked details in any of his speeches up to this point, and those that he has provided have been demonstrably contrary to the current legislation.

So what will we see and how many will watch?

The speech is scheduled for 8pm eastern time if you are interested.