now it is the senate's turn to take a crack.
I personally hope Republicans can end their petty petulance and become integral authors/owners of this legislation. By choosing to focus on "making a stand" and "demonstrating party cohesion" but largely failing to focus on substantive and constructive criticisms and contributions, Republicans thus far have allowed Democrats to fall back on THEIR worst instincts as well.
The best path is near the middle, but both Democrats and Republicans need the checks from each other in order to stay near there. If GOP decides to gamble that the whole thing will fail anyhow (and want to leave the Dems holding the bag) then they will take their ball and go home-- and will only offer baloney soundbite "contributions" that are aimed only at the next elections. If they do this, I fear what will end up.
The middle of the road dems in congress will not be able to hold their ground against the fringe ones without genuine republican participation... and we will basically end up with a mirror image of the dark "Tom Delay days"... just from the other side.
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