Will Panic Kill Health Care?

Are you a panicked liberal after Tuesday’s defeat in Massachusetts? Jonathan Chait at The New Republic offers reassurance: “The fundamentals of the situation remain exactly the same. Most Americans oppose health care reform. However, a significant chunk—enough to form a sizable majority when combined with supporters—oppose it because it doesn't go far enough. Which is to say, the Democrats' position commands the center in a polarized atmosphere.” Chait predicts that, once they calm down, Democrats will realize that letting health care die is their worst possible option and they’ll make a deal to pass the Senate bill through the House. His colleague at The New Republic, Jonathan Cohn, is a bit more worried though, especially over Democratic suggestions to break the health-care bill up into many parts. Not only is that bad policy, Cohn says, but it will drag health care into the spring and summer. “One lousy vote,” he writes. “One lousy, stinking roll call vote. That's the only hurdle in the way of health care reform. Are Democrats really willing to give up now?”