Democrats Drop Bipartisan Rhetoric

Looks like the Democrats have finally decided to start flexing their strong majorities in the House and Senate. Party elder Senator Chuck Schumer of New York alluded Monday to "contingencies" that will be used as a "last resort" should bipartisan negotiations over health care yield no results. The backup plan likely involves initiating a "procedural maneuver" that will get the health bill to pass with only 51 instead of 60 votes in the Senate. The move, however, would likely limit the scope of the bill. A bipartisan committee of three Democrats and three Republicans faces a September 15 deadline to present a health-care bill that will satisfy both parties; very little positive news has emerged from the closed-door dealings. "If we cannot produce a bipartisan solution by then, you have to wonder if the Republicans will ever to be willing to agree to anything," Schumer said.