I don’t think they can pass the bill even if they did figure a way to use reconciliation.
There’s been a very troublesome (for Reid) sticking point at 47 yea votes just about the whole time here.
They’re a bunch of ruthless people, but I think you give them too much credit. If they were as brazen as you say, they would just ram the thing through with their filibuster proof majority, yet they can’t. Reconciliation will probably get them even less votes than the 47 yeas they have now.
They are screwed. They can’t pass a bill with a public option and they can’t pass one without it. The situation has remained unchanged since July in that regard and the political terrain is looking worse every day for their entire agenda.
They basically don’t have a chance in hell of getting this passed before next Tuesday and if they don’t get it passed before next Tuesday, they don’t have a chance in hell at all of getting it through period if they get trounced in the elections. Even if they win NJ and NY23, there is still enough trouble out there to worry anyone looking to get reelected in 2010.
So, if they have a miracle turnaround on Tuesday, then they’re back where they are right now with about 47 yea votes. If they don’t, they’ll have even less.
Let’s also not forget that they are still short votes to pass the HOUSE bill as well from what I’ve heard.
It ain’t all sunshine and lollipops in DemRatLand.
I hope you are right, but I will not believe that this issue is not viable while they have the majority and several RINOS in the Senate who will screw over the nation just to get their goodies from the leadership or glowing media reportage.
I am going to keep my power dry and at the ready.