The biggest whiner is Ben Nelson. He's acting like a little baby about it, saying that he won't cooperate if people accuse him of not cooperating.

Well, you might as well threaten Nelson--and follow through on the threats--because he's all but promised he's going to vote with the Republicans on health care reform if it isn't just another great big gift to his beloved insurance companies.

I normally don't think actions are productive when they assume a bunch of rules that may not be true (e.g. Reid's ability to remove committee chairs), but in this case, I think there's a good argument. The aide quoted here is being a bit disingenuous to suggest that efforts to shake up committee assignments are misdirected at Reid. I suppose the alternative would be to petition 60 democratic Senators, but that would diffuse the effort.

It's one thing just to assert wildly that Reid needs to "cajole" or "twist arms" or whatever, but it's another to suggest a specific action that he may have some influence to exert. If the caucus starts hearing an effective PR campaign directed at the Senate leadership, it may remind them that they're not secure in their positions and may want to reconsider that cloture vote.

"These kinds of gestures are counter-productive and won't have any impact on Capitol Hill," says a leadership AIDE. "These kinds of efforts will fall flat."

This is not a quote from Reid. Let Reid speak for Reid

As always, this progressive liberal will continue to apply fierce pressure on so-called moderate democrats until they bring themselves forward into the 21st century. I'm sick of the atmosphere that asks me to appease rabid republicans and their hideous, inhuman policies. To hell with the current Democratic Leadership. Reid and Pelosi both have been appeasement puppets to the right for far too long and I would like to see them both replaced asap.