Legal Commentary

How Democrats Bargain

By Big Tent Democrat

"One shouldn't agree to deals which don't even exist." -- Atrios

Roger Hickey at TPM's "Pass The Bill" Rally:

Here's my position. In these final days of the health care fight, progressives should work hard to improve the health reform bill in the Senate and in the conference with the (better) House bill. But we should support the passage of the best bill we can get - and then keep fighting for more and better reform.

Great thinking. Let's go to the bargaining table, announce that while we want certain things, we will still do the deal even if we do not get them. So what are the chances you think that Democrats will "improve the health reform bill" when they have said they will pass anything? Yes, the chances are precisely zero. Indeed, the chances of the bill getting worse are 100% because of such a stance.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on December 18, 2009 (boomark / email).