Most of the debate about the health care bill has been about policy. Some people think it's a health insurance industry giveaway (like me), some think it's a great accomplishment that helps the little guy, and a lot are somewhere in between. That's all well and good, but one thing is not debatable: The midterm elections are in 10 months, and this bill is disastrous politically.
No, there will not be a magic wand waved over the American peoples' heads after the bill is passed and everyone will see it as a wonderful, great piece of legislation. They're still going to disapprove of it (quite widely, as 35% approve of it nationwide). The energized teabaggers will see it as a government socialist takeover of healthcare, and rally their 35% zombie squad to go to the polls in 2010 in droves. The progressives and Democratic base are disillusioned because it is basically a combination of the Clinton and McCain plans, both of which Obama campaigned against but now supports wholeheartedly.
You might say "well, when people see the benefits of the bill they will change their mind". However, 26% of Massachusetts voters approve of Romneycare, which is essentially what this bill is. And this is from one of the most liberal states in the nation. If that's true of Mass, it has nowhere but down to go nationwide. Plus, most of the benefits don't kick in until 2012/2013, while all the taxes start in 2010/2011. Yeah, that's a REAL winner for the midterms.
This bill is not only bad policy (my opinion) but also horrendous politically (a fact backed up by numerous polls). But what do you expect when you axe the most popular provisions with the public (medicare buy-in, public option) and reinforce the most UNpopular provision (the mandate). This shows one thing: Obama and the Dems are not concerned about the people, the uninsured, or their own political future: they're concerned about the profits of Big Pharma and the health insurance industry.