Obamacare was already moribund, and Indiana Senator Evan Bayh’s retirement makes it even less likely that it can be resuscitated. Philip Klein points out the relevant political dynamic:
The most obvious Democrats to seek Bayh’s seat are Indiana’s Democratic congressmen: Reps. Brad Ellsworth, Baron Hill and Joe Donnelly. All of them have already voted for the original version of the House health care bill.
As Senators, however, it’s not probable that any of these guys would vote for a final bill based mostly on the Senate “reform” legislation. Why not? Well, they’re stuck on Stupak:
All of these Democrats also voted for the Stupak amendment on abortion … Ellsworth was actually a co-sponsor of Stupak, and said at the time that he could not vote for the bill if that language wasn’t in it.
And no matter how many whoppers Harry Reid and the President tell about the Senate bill, it most certainly provides federal funding (via the insurance exchange) for abortion.
But it gets worse. If one of these guys does indeed run for Bayh’s seat, that would probably subtract yet another ”Yea” from those Pelosi can count on for any new health reform vote in the House.
The House bill was VERY unpopular with the voters, so no House Democrat running for Bayh’s seat will repeat his “reform” vote in the midst of an election in which the GOP will be harping on Obamacare.
So, whether we’re talking about the Senate version of Obamacare or the House version, Evan Bayh’s sudden departure will cost the Democrats an important vote for Obamacare.
Sweet!
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