I'm sorry, I know that sounds cold. But when I saw Sen. Dick Durbin on MSNBC's "The Ed Show" last week, explaining to Ed Schultz why bipartisanship as still somewhat necessary in passing health care reform, this unpleasant but rational thought popped into my head.
Durbin said that, frankly, it's not certain that either ailing senator will be present when the final vote is taken. Even if Franken is seated by then, that leaves only 58 Democratic votes, if you want to include Redcoat Lieberman. And that's also assuming, with great and probably undue optimism, that Reid can whip some DINOs into shape by then.
Plus, we have the climate change bill, which may be even iffier, vote-wise. I salute Senators Kennedy and Byrd for their long and distinguished service to the people, but now, I think, they should retire for the good of the country. This would give Governors Patrick and Manchin, both Democrats, the opportunity to appoint some loyal Democrats with guaranteed attendance and solid progressive views to the Senate.