Marjorie Dannenfelser in the Washington Post:

Republicans oppose President Obama’s health-care reform effort for many reasons: It will cost too much, it’s “socialist,” it’s big government at its worst. But they are letting Stupak and his fellow antiabortion Democrats lead on that issue. And the more the GOP ignores abortion and focuses on economic populism — taking up the “tea party” cause — the more the party risks leaving crucial votes behind in November. . . .
The next few months of candidate recruitment and messaging will decide whether 2010 is a 1994 moment. The Republican Party seems to have a political advantage today; the February Washington Post-ABC News poll showed striking gains for the GOP in earning the public’s trust over the past year. But it’s not yet clear whether that advantage can translate into electoral success in November. The social-conservative, antiabortion engine combined with an electrified smaller-government, low-tax movement has the momentum. It’s Republicans’ chance to grab it.
They just need to remind people that theirs is still the pro-life party. If, in fact, it is.

Thank goodness for the many Republicans — staff and all — who are, in fact, holding the line, especially right now, in this health-care fight. Bart Stupak — God bless him — is not alone. (Have you listened to John Boehner lately?)