Baucus' effort proves without a doubt why triangulating = FAIL

[ProSense]

Health Care Compromise Has Fewer Supporters than More Progressive Bills

On the left, the Senate Finance Committee health care reform bill has been ripped apart by (deep breath): Health Care for America Now, AFL-CIO, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. Roland Burris, Rep. Raul Grijalva, Rep. Anthony Weiner, and, I'm sure, others.

It earned an icy reception from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and a lukewarm (though overall positive) response from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the aisle, it's still getting no love on the right. Even from moderate Republicans. Blue Dogs like it, though!

Late update: Despite calling the Baucus plan the "best effort to date," even the Chamber of Commerce has "grave concerns" and says "the bill still needs tremendous improvement." You can read the full statement below the fold.

Major FAIL!

[BlooInBloo]

1. He was permitted to work his magic. And his magic is epic fail. Take him out of his chair.

[snake in the grass]

6. I really hope he is removed.

Baucus had no business leading this committee in the first place. I also hope his constituents remember his treachery come next election.

[grantcart]

2. well it has given DU a rare moment of complete unanimity

and for that he should receive a special award

[ProSense]

3. There was a time when Dems tried to sell triangulating as an elixir to partisan politics.

Republicans would get what they want, and Dems would spin it as golden.

Today, Republicans are faced with a real possibility that they will be completely irrelevant for many politicial cycles. They're not interested in compromise for the sake of compromise. They simply want Democrats to fail. It's their only hope to regain any footing. Given today's reality, it's time for Democrats to go for broke. Stand strong on principle and make the Repubs defend their bogus agenda or their inaction.

[Marsala]

4. In fairness, triangulation "worked" (for the corporate interests) when the Republicans played along

But since they won't at all, it is now a strategy of complete, utter fail. And to think, the Republicans could have crippled the health care bill if they had just given token support. Instead, they'll have to hope that Conrad, Nelson and their ilk do the weakening for them.

[branders seine]

5. did anyone expect any different from him?

he's been a shill for the insurance industry from the start