The media are descending on Detroit, Michigan this week as the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates prepare for two days of debates in The Motor City. CNN is hosting the event and is reporting live from the city Monday through Wednesday. One of its first guests to offer a preview of the contest was Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who joined Alisyn Camerota and John Berman Monday morning.
Camerota ran quickly through some of the imminent topics of discussion expected to come up at the debates, including health care. Considering some of the frontrunners, like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), are promoting leftist ideas like Medicare for All, Camerota wondered what Stabenow made of it. Was it too radical for Michigan? President Trump won a surprise, albeit narrow, victory in 2016. Could his opponents really afford to push a plan that kicks Americans off their private insurance plans? Their words, not mine.
"I think all of that will work its way out," Stabenow said.
Yeah, she's worried.
Without giving a legitimate explanation for how it would all "work out," the senator vaguely went on to explain that all of the Democratic candidates understand that health care is "personal, not political." She also contrasted the Democrats' plans with that of President Trump's. Trump, she accused, has taken away Americans' health care, before reminding viewers that Republicans have voted over 100 times to repeal Obamacare.
Stabenow said she's "happy to have that debate" with the president.
But wait, haven't those Democrats I mentioned earlier also lobbied to upend Obamacare? Vice President Joe Biden is one of few candidates actually trying to "protect and build" Obamacare.
Other Democrats are trying to hide the fact that their health care plans may be going too far for the average voter. Here's how Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen spun it.
"Health care has changed...[the candidates] being creative is a good thing," she said on CNN.
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