On the Hill today, this is what some are wondering: Why, if Bart Stupak has no plans to negotiate, is he in negotiations? Besides Stupak’s comment about his optimism about a deal the other day, that’s the catalyst for worry. Bart Stupak is no Ben Nelson. But either Bart Stupak thinks what the White House is pushing is fixable on abortion or it’s not. (And it’s really not.)

He’s principled on this, I have no doubt about it. I continue to thank and encourage him. But is no deal really his deal? That’s a legitimate question, I think.