WILL ANYONE IN THE PRESS ASK THIS QUESTION TONIGHT?

How much will reform cost, and how does he mean to pay for it?

That question takes on greater urgency now that Obama has asked Congress to raise the federal debt limit past its already-staggering current $12.1 trillion.

Unless it does so by the middle of next month, when the national debt is expected to exceed the existing limit, Washington faces default and a curtailment of government operations.

The ceiling already has been raised three times in the past two years. The House raised the limit to $13 trillion in April (with Democratic leaders using a disingenuous parliamentary maneuver to avoid a recorded roll call).

Now the Senate must take action.

But how high can debt be allowed to go — and how much higher will it go if ObamaCare, whose estimated costs could exceed $1 trillion, is enacted?

Back when he was in the Senate, Obama voted against raising the debt limit, saying it was irresponsible and a sign of bad leadership in the White House. So what is it now?