Reply #11: It's the symbolism

[gratuitous]

Flip the scenario, and the popular media would be crowing about "Democrats in Disarray!", one of their all-time favorite narratives. No, Snowe's vote (or any particular single Republican vote for that matter) doesn't mean anything, really. But it makes the Republicans look {insert shudder here} divided, and not all of one mind. It doesn't make the Finance Committee bill "bipartisan," but since the measuring stick for that depended so heavily on Republican unity in opposition, it knocks that nonsense into a cocked hat, and McConnell knows it.

As a practical matter, the reality is that the Democrats are in charge of the House, the Senate and the White House. They've gone through an elaborate charade and held up this vital legislation (well, vital to Americans; to fat cat insurance and pharmaceutical companies, not so much) for months. But now Snowe has broken with her party. The symbol of Republican disunity is far, far worse than if the Republicans stood fast together on the wrong side of history. Now, McConnell and his brethren can look forward to explaining to their constituents who benefit from health care reform just why they stood in the way.

It sucks to be Mitch McConnell, just as a general matter; it double sucks today.