Having said that, from a purist point of view—we want to cover everyone—, Clinton’s health care plan is better. But, I think it would be far more difficult to get through Congress.

Obama’s, on the other hand, actually stands a chance of passing Congress, which needs to be weighed into the equation.

It’s a tough call. Both plans have merit, and arguments behind them. Clinton’s is more universal, Obama’s might be more realistic both in political terms and practical terms.

Is it a determining factor in choosing a candidate? Depends on whether or not one believes that supporting a health care mandate is a necessary precondition for supporting a candidate in a Democratic primary.