Excuse me for a second while I engage in some rampant speculation.
All along we were wondering why the Democratic leadership was so desperate to bend over backwards for the centrists and Republicans on HCR. All this time we’ve been wondering why Obama chose to take a back seat and let compromise after compromise gut his marquee policy reform, without speaking out.
What could Obama possibly want from the minority Republicans, the party of No, that he needed to allow them all this influence?
Well, we forgot that healthcare reform is only one part of a bigger picture.
According to the article Meteor Blades snipped out of the NYT and put on the front page, it seems Obama will need to rely on the support of Republicans for his war vote.
The resistance by the Democrats demonstrated that Republican backing for the troop build-up plan will be crucial to compensate for Democratic defections, making it likely that Republicans will provide the margin for approval when the added troops are subject to a Congressional vote, probably in the form of a spending bill next year.
Having a Democratic Congress reject your war plan would be a humiliation, way more embarrassing than passing watered-down version of HCR. Obama knew he would need Republican support later, so he promised to step away from the debate on healthcare.
A handshake deal. Quid pro quo.
Could it really be that simple?
If so, I can't decide if I'm impressed or horrified.