Reply #48: the proposals he made, and the new law, provides subsidies

[bigtree]

. . . to make the mandate 'affordable'.

The quote is out of context and the analogy (or whatever) omits the fact that 'mandates' are not the primary focus of the bill (or his proposals) or the primary remedy offered, as the op suggests. Further, it was Congress which controlled the content of the legislation. We couldn't get the House bill past the republican filibuster, so we're stuck with the Senate bill or nothing. The 'fixes' are an attempt to bring the bill in line with the House effort, and, in the end, the total effort will represent the best Congress offered the President to sign. That's the process. This president was intent on signing anything Congress produced.

Anyway, it's odd to suggest he had so much influence in that 'regular' process where republicans were threatening filibuster that he could have his way on the PO. From where I sat, the PO was a no-go in the Senate.