GB58:
It will take multiple runs up the hill to repeal Obamacare. The initial vote in the House and (hopefully) the Senate will tell America exactly where every elected rep in DC stands on the issue. Those who vote against repeal and must stand for re-election in 2012 will place a huge bullseye on their back for angry Americans to take out in the primaries and on election day. This alone will scare the RINOs and milquetoasts into voting for a repeal.
The dems have 20 senate seats on the line in 2012 including Ben Nelson. How many of them will vote to repeal just to save their skins?
If Obama vetos a repeal and the vote in the house and senate is close enough, they can vote to overturn the veto. That’s when we really see who walks the walk and who is just talking the talk (i.e., it’s okay to vote for repeal as a dem if you KNOW the Pres will veto - but if there is a vote to overturn the veto every voter is looking at you when it really counts).
Plus, we get the added bonus of an Obama veo firing up the right wing to oust his backside in 2012 and elect a President who will sign a repeal into law.
Win the battles - win the war.