bredesen's frontload

Now that I actually have time to post about this: a lot is being made of Sharon Cobb’s “front-loading” Tenncare story, particularly from his political opponents, who see this (rightly so) as a golden opportunity to get a republican in the governorship, but I don’t get where the big deal is.

I am no fan of Bredesen’s handling of Tenncare, and I disagree with his decision to cut 300K people and blame it on the TJC, but I don’t see any evidence of actual malfeasance here. The documents that Cobb presents as irrefutable proof of lying look more to me like your average political damage control to the rather drastic move. Am I missing something?

UPDATE: I see that I’m not the only one to think this. Bruce Barry at the scene contributes his two cents.