When I saw the flash headline on the Drudge Report Monday night about veterans groups being mad with the White House, it told me something was bubbling in the Washington, D.C. political swamp.
But since I was so caught up in the AIG story, I didn't have the chance to pursue it until later, so let's detail some of it for you today.
The American Legion was aggravated with plans being considered - but not officially made - that would save money by forcing some veterans to use private insurance to pay for service connected injuries.
The plan would evidently have saved $550 million. But it was met with stern opposition from Democrats, one of whom labeled it "dead on arrival."
As of Monday evening though, the feeling was that President Obama wasn't giving in on the issue.
"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion, who wins the award this week for grabbing news attention on something other than AIG, as his news release was plastered on the Drudge Report.
At the White House, there was no official confirmation that the administration wants to tinker with the insurance details for vets at all.
"Let me not make the case for a decision that this Administration hasn't made yet," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs at a briefing.
In other words, it may never see the light of day.
It was a good lesson most likely for the Obama Administration, but also a reminder of how many special interests there are when you talk about the budget.
Everyone has a program they like. Everyone has something that you can't touch.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating what the White House did or did not want to change in terms of veterans health care.
It just shows you that every decision can offend somebody, which makes the details of the Obama budget - due out in April - all the more difficult to devise.
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