We need the Dog Whisperer

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/25368.html

It is pretty amazing that the repugs are so up front about their real goal, which is according to Gentleman Jim, "breaking him." They offer no alternative, other than the status quo or cutting medicare and medicaid benefits. They want to obstruct any progress because defeating the Dems is more important than anything, including the wishes of their constituents. And they are not concealing their goal, not one little bit. What is more mysterious is the Dems. I just don't get it, here they have a wildly popular president, a strong majority in both houses, the Repugs poll numbers in the toilet, large public support for health care reform, including the public option, and yet many Dems are trembling in their boots about any kind of change. What surprises me, is that it is not just those Dems that were allegedly traumatized by '94, but even newly elected members of Congress. I initially thought that it was the dreaded Beltway syndrome, but there is more than that going on. I was initially encouraged when I heard that Rahmbo was on the case, but so far he has not brought them to their knees. I miss the old Rahm. The claim of the Blue Dogs that their reluctance is about fiscal responsibility rings hollow, because they are quite willing to spend on other things. What they seem to fail to realize is that if health care reform is not passed, they will have a crippled administration and a party that will be a deemed an utter failure. These centrists are so ridiculously self important. I think that if Teddy were well and knocking some sense into these fools, that the progress would be faster. It is such a shame that he is so ill during the fight over an issue that is so important to him. He is so respected Senator on both sides of the aisle that he is sorely missed.