MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE CAPITOL - AT 6:52 A.M. ET:  We are consumed by foreign policy this week - back to that in a few minutes - but let's not forget that Congress is consumed by health care.  Now Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, whose personality cries out for medical resuscitation, is threatening the so-called "nuclear option" to get his favored bill through the Senate.  Fox News reports:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid threatened on Tuesday to use a procedural maneuver to steamroll opponents of health care reform, even as a Senate panel began delicate negotiations over a package that could have the best chance at passing.

The Nevada Democrat, who has issued similar threats before, spoke as the Senate Finance Committee began debate over Chairman Max Baucus's reform plan. Reid threatened to use a budgetary tool called reconciliation -- also known as the "nuclear option" -- that would allow Democrats to pass key parts of the legislation with a simple majority, as opposed to the 60 votes needed to avoid a Republican filibuster.

COMMENT:  This would blow up the Senate.  The procedure was developed for budgetary matters, not for bills that involve one sixth of the economy and penetrate every family. 

The American people, in poll after poll, have shown their skepticism about the health plans now before Congress.  In some cases it's outright hostility.  To shove an unpopular bill through the Senate using parliamentary gimmickry could produce a backlash that would make the town meetings look like Tupperware parties.

What Congress lacks today, among 4,000 other things, is legislative leaders like Lyndon Johnson or Sam Rayburn, who knew how to maneuver, to build coalitions, without wrecking the place. 

Well, the Senate does have Al Franken and Roland Burris.  Be thankful for small blessings - very, very small.  Get out the microscope. 

September 23, 2009