Max Baucus

It seems to me that if you're going to get exactly 0 support from the Republicans no matter what, then you might as well say fuck it and make the bill as progressive as possible, right? I mean, it's not as if Republicans are going to applaud Baucus' efforts to bring them into the fold; ANY BILL passed will be ripped to shreds and completely demonized by them, so why bother watering it down?

1) Take bill back to being as progressive as possible.
2) Pass bill.
3) Withstand months of Republicans screaming about it so they can get re-elected.
4) After times passes, people will be sitting around thinking "gee, isn't it great we all have affordable healthcare?" and wondering what all the fuss was about in the first place.

Why can't this happen?

Oh, right. Cause three Democrats are worried they'll lose votes come re-election time. Despite the fact that Congressional Stagnation tells us that you pretty much hafta rape puppies to not get re-elected. Michelle Bachmann will be re-elected despite being an unhinged, illiterate buffoon, and you think you can't get re-elected if you pass healthcare? Really?