McCain Makes a Fine Point

Laura Meckler reports from Farmingville, N.Y., on the presidential race. John McCain has a legitimate point to make about Barack Obama ’s health care plan. Obama has not said how much he would fine employers who fail to offer their workers insurance, as The Wall Street Journal reports today. Putting aside the wisdom of requiring employers to offer coverage, McCain argues that Obama is not being straight because he does not tell voters—and employers– what the fine would be. But at Wednesday night’s debate, he undercut his point by charging that Obama would impose this requirement, sometimes called “play or pay,” on small businesses. McCain has made the same charge at rallies. In fact, as Obama pointed out, small employers would be exempt from the rule (and he offered the carrot of a tax break if they go ahead and offer insurance). Here’s how the exchange went Wednesday night. McCain brought back “Joe the Plumber,” a voter he had ... (link)