Respectfully, you are greatly mistaken the protests did have an effect, actually it had two.
Firstly, Nancy Pelosi was so worried that she tried to not vote on it and pass it anyway. Then when caught in her deception was forced to expose all those who even secretly or via deception supported this abomination. The American People now know precisely who are the enemies of Liberty, Stupak included.
Secondly, the American People are now galvanized like they were never before. The point of Civil Disobedience is to enlist the growing support of the populace and get them to stop obeying the government. Resistance is not futile. Without an obedient public, the rulers have nothing to run.
If the tree of Liberty is to be watered, the ground must first be prepared to receive it.
I honestly hope you are right! But it’s really disturbing that socialism/communism has got this far, and with so many supporters and people working steadily for it. And the MSM is Pravda—state-owned.