The reason the Democratic leadership and the White House are rushing to pass the bill is that they know it is killing them and believe doing it quickly will kill fewer of them than doing it slowly. If they pass it by year’s end, perhaps voters will move on to other concerns by the November 2010 midterm elections.
The thinking leaves Republicans baffled. Have Democrats not heard of the stimulus? It’s been law for months now, and voter anger about it is growing, not diminishing. “The stimulus is a lesson on doing a huge bill all at once in a hurry,” says the GOP aide. “It’s a mistake.”
Despite all the obstacles, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid could attempt to cut off debate and force a vote before New Year’s. But it’s a big gamble, especially if all the Democratic concerns about the bill haven’t been addressed. Reid has won a few and lost a few such gambles in the past.
Recently freshman Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet said he would vote for health care even if he knew it would cost him his seat. The question Reid and Durbin face now is: How many Democrats would do the same?