Panning McCain’s Health Care Plan

Republican Presidential candidate John McCain was in town on Friday to lead a townhall discussion on his health care policy. Last week local health care guru Brian Schwartz previewed McCain’s arrival with a lukewarm analysis of the candidate’s plan to reform health care, summed up here:

So this tax-credit idea, while sort of on target, is even more social engineering via tax policy, instead of undoing existing tax policy that has created the problem in the first place.

Joshua Sharf, who saw the candidate in person, was left with a more favorable view of the tax credit proposal, but thought the good idea in McCain’s policy was watered down with many bits of “nanny-state hectoring.”

Joshua also noted McCain’s well-developed skills of personal retail politicking:

One moment stood out for me. I don’t think it was a planted question, but when one woman who runs a laser- and massage-therapy clinic with her husband asked a question, McCain interrupted to prompt her to define and discuss laser therapy and its benefits. It was obvious he knew the answer, but just as obvious that he wanted her to say it. He didn’t need to prove how smart he was by lecturing; he could do it just as well by letting her talk with pride about her work.

My guess is McCain wins more votes with his approach on the stump than with his health care plan.