Appeasement

Do the Republicans scent blood? One sign that they might came this week, in the form of a sharp letter from John Boehner, leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, to the head of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) lobby—long a good friend to the party. Mr Boehner denounced as “appeasement” the lobby’s decision to support Barack Obama’s plans for health-care reform. But that decision was made months ago; attacking it now is surely a sign that the Republicans think Mr Obama is suddenly in trouble. And with some justification. First, the Democrats failed to meet the president’s deadline for getting health bills out of both the House and the Senate by August. Next, as politicians headed home to conduct townhall meetings during this month’s recess, they encountered many constituents angry about the dangers— real or imagined—to be wrought by health reform. Some of these grumblers were planted by conservative groups, but many others were genuinely afraid or upset.