Steve Benen sees some hopeful signs that the Dems do not want to commit suicide for nothing:
As recently as last week, in the midst of lengthy discussions at the White House, a wide variety of changes were agreed upon by House and Senate negotiators. The idea, of course, was to craft a final bill to be approved by both chambers. Voters in Massachusetts have since made this approach impossible.
But if Reid and Pelosi can package those already-discussed improvements, and agree to approve them through reconciliation after the House passes the Senate bill, then there's still hope that a fiasco for the ages can be avoided.
The changes being considered track closely with the agreements House and Senate leaders made in White House meetings last week, according to a source. They include the deal with labor unions to ease the tax on high-end insurance plans, additional Medicare cuts and taxes, the elimination of a special Medicaid funding deal for Nebraska and a move to help cover the gap in seniors' prescription drug coverage. Pelosi is also working to change the Senate provision that sets up state insurance exchanges. The House prefers a single, national exchange.
Discussions, a Pelosi spokesperson said, "are ongoing … but no final decisions have been made."
If the GOP try to repeal it, Obama has a veto. And when they try to repeal a bill that would clearly save lives, offer help to millions, and security to many more, Obama can run for re-election without them. There are many positive outcomes alongside a negative outcome for the Dems and Obama if they pass this bill and keep their nerve. There are no positive outcomes if they don't.
Grow some, Dems. And fight, Mr President. Fight.
The Dish 