Will Democrats Go It Alone?

From the New York Times:

Given hardening Republican opposition to Congressional health care proposals, Democrats now say they see little chance of the minority’s cooperation in approving any overhaul, and are increasingly focused on drawing support for a final plan from within their own ranks.

Top Democrats said Tuesday that their go-it-alone view was being shaped by what they saw as Republicans’ purposely strident tone against health care legislation during this month’s Congressional recess, as well as remarks by leading Republicans that current proposals were flawed beyond repair.

Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, said the heated opposition was evidence that Republicans had made a political calculation to draw a line against any health care changes, the latest in a string of major administration proposals that Republicans have opposed.

Finally they see the light! What took them so long? Did the Dems really think that they would bring Republicans along, even after this statement by Sen. Jim DeMint one month ago, "If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him"?

The Democratic shift may not make producing a final bill much easier. The party must still reconcile the views of moderate and conservative Democrats worried about the cost and scope of the legislation with those of more liberal lawmakers determined to win a government-run insurance option to compete with private insurers.

On the other hand, such a change could alter the dynamic of talks surrounding health care legislation, and even change the substance of a final bill. With no need to negotiate with Republicans, Democrats might be better able to move more quickly, relying on their large majorities in both houses.

Democratic senators might feel more empowered, for example, to define the authority of the nonprofit insurance cooperatives that are emerging as an alternative to a public insurance plan.

One wonders if the conservative Democrats are really worried about the cost of the health care plan, or is it rather the cost to them in campaign funds from the health care industry if they support the public option. They don't seem overly concerned when Halliburton, Blackwater, and other companies with government contracts rip off taxpayers' money in massive amounts, but when it comes to providing health care to citizens in great need of help, cost concerns kick in.

When will we see that Democratic senators feel empowered enough to actually do something about the health care crisis? What will it take?

The White House has also interpreted critical comments by Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican negotiator in a crucial Finance Committee effort to reach a bipartisan compromise, as a sign that there is little hope of reaching a deal politically acceptable to both parties.

A brilliant interpretation. Again, finally the White House joins the Congress in seeing the light. I see it! I see it! Look there's the light! The Republicans won't deal with us.

For the second time in two days, Mr. Obama did not mention health care on Tuesday, a marked departure from the aggressive public relations campaign he mounted in July and early August. The White House is striving to stay out of the fray, aides said, until the president can get away on vacation this weekend.

And doesn't that make you want to cry? The president wants to stay out of the fray and get away! I know I've said this over and over in the comments here, there, and everywhere, but please, someone, somewhere remind President Obama about the bully pulpit!

As for the much-discussed non-profit cooperatives (whatever they are) being pushed by conservative Democrats who want so much to have a bipartisan bill:

In what Democrats regarded as further evidence that Republicans were not serious about negotiating, Mr. Kyl and Representative Eric Cantor of Virginia, the second-ranking House Republican, described a co-op as a public option carrying another name.

There you go, Democrats. No matter what compromises you make, you will not have a bipartisan bill. You are a majority. We elected you to move forward with a progressive agenda. Do your job. Folks are hurting. They need help. Do the right thing!

Do I sound shrill?