Reply #35: It's a reasonable question...

[ljm2002]

...although it's always hard to say what "would have happened", in any context.

You say we've gotten a strengthened, more determined Blue Dog coalition, and that may be true. However, we've also gotten a strengthened, more determined Progressive Caucus, who are willing to put up a real fight for a change.

If Obama had provided more leadership, it could be as you say and we might have something better than what appears to be coming down the pike. Or not: it is also possible that with him pushing for a bill, that progressives would not be as fired up. There is something to be said for Congress owning this, they have more "skin in the game", as they say.

Also if Obama had provided more leadership, it may well be that the mighty Wurlitzer would be operating nonstop and undermining things even more than they have been. The utter hatred and contempt for him would make the opposition to HCR even more vehement IMO.

But who knows, I certainly don't.