Reply #13: I think they know that already voted for the House bill

[karynnj]

and if nothing passes, they still will be harassed for that vote and the Republicans will likely win in characterizing it even more negatively than before. Their BEST chance is to pass it. That victory alone will - as almost always happens - raise Obama's and their approval. Consider that the Republicans against them will be against them either way. The Democrats angry because of gridlock are more likely to approve.

Also consider that many elderly people, who now believe the eye popping idea that the Republicans are protecting Medicare which teh Democrats want to destroy, will see their Medicare is still there and the same - except the donut hole is gone. Consider that among the people just above the Medicaid threshold will get a subsidy that will pay most of the premiums they had no chance of affording before the plan was passed.

Look at the faces of the Republicans when they say passing it "will hurt the Democrats" - and they will run on repealing it. Do you really think that will work? The Democrats have the option of running on the need to fine tune it.