Crossing the Aisle

Schwarzenegger for Health-Care Reform

Bloomberg also signs up.

Can you hear the sighs of relief in the White House? California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg—both Republicans—endorsed President Obama’s health-care plan on Tuesday. “Our principal goals, slowing the growth in costs, enhancing the quality of care delivered, improving the lives of individuals, and helping to ensure a strong economic recovery, are the same goals that the president is trying to achieve,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement. Bloomberg said, “The health-reform proposal that Congress will shortly consider is shaping up to merit broad, bipartisan support, incorporating Republican ideas and earning deserved support from Republican leaders such as former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.” Frist tepidly endorsed the plan last week, as did Bush-administration HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Monday.