Dems: Health Care Reform Almost Done -- Really!

Q: If the Republicans believe passing HCR will destroy the Democrats' majority in both houses, why are they trying so hard to stop HCR from passing?

A: Because Republicans really, really care about the Democrats' electoral prospects and are trying to save them from themselves.

By the way, I'm the Queen of Scotland.

They're still talking and we're still waiting. Show me Obama's signature on an HCR bill and then I'll believe them.

What's more, the majority party is united in realizing they should be painting Republicans as obstructionists at every turn.

Duh!

Somehow I don't believe this. As a Democrat, I can say this: we eat our own. Consider that when we started this debate, the goal -- with sixty Democratic senators -- was to get a bipartisan solution through the Senate. That was just absolute hogwash. We could have taken a bill drafted by Mike Enzi or Chuck Grassley and the GOP would not have voted for it.

So, forgive me if I am reluctant to join the chorus that says we're close to passing and enacting health care reform.

At the same time, I think the final passage will boost our November election chances. Hey, the public likes winners. I know, few will admit this out loud, but independents are leader followers. They want someone that is getting something done. They loved President Bush when he went to Congress to get the war bill passed. At that time - in October 2002 -- somewhere around 75% of independents supported President Bush. And, this was all age categories. Likewise in September of 2005, Bush's approval was around 40% -- largely because of Katrina.

Now, the trick with health care is to make sure, absolutely, that a bill gets done AND that a Congress gets out there and explains why this bill is a good bill. You have to contest Kucinich as much as you have to contest McConnell. They're both wrong - and so is leaving 50,000,000 people without insurance. This bill will alleviate that problem and that is a great first step.

What's more, the majority party is united in realizing they should be painting Republicans as obstructionists at every turn.

Republicans say they will try to block the final health care reform legislation as much as possible, with more ability to slow down the process in the Senate than the House due to the reconciliation process. Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) yesterday said it's likely the GOP will raise points of order against the package of fixes Democrats will push through using the limited reconciliation rules.

"If they want to do that, make 'em talk and talk, nights and weekends if needed," Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) told me in an interview at the summit. "Show they are recalcitrant and let them stand on the sidelines."

Second, in view of that fact, it's pretty funny to see the GOP continuing to blindly obstruct.

Third, if the Dems don't make those GOPers '... talk and talk, nights and weekends', then the Dems aren't worth a bowl of cold soup.

So they all feel fine and comfortable with passing a POS that has Mandates and no Public Option? Well, that fine and comfortable feeling will last about until, oh, say, November.