Scott Brown for the U.S. Senate - Politico raises an excellent question: "Can Dems pass health care if Brown wins?" Short answer: yes, but it would be very difficult. First they could pass it before he's sworn in which, as I understand it, will be soon after the special election on January 19th. This is not going to happen because half the Senate is still on winter holiday. The second option would be for the House to pass the Senate bill without any modification. I find this only slightly more likely since Democrat Representatives are feeling tremendous political heat from all sides, especially from the unions who want the "Cadillac" tax stripped.

On some level, wouldn't the Democrats in Congress breathe a huge sigh of relief if Scott Brown managed to win this special election? They can say they tried but, gosh darn it, the Republicans blocked us! They'd be off the hook with their liberal constituents for failing to get health care reform while assuaging centrist voters who never wanted it in the first place.

It's a win-win! C'mon, Democrats, show your support for Scott Brown!