The election of Scott Brown puts Democrats in a tough spot. Instead of finding a way to push health care through Congress, how about instead offering an olive branch to Republicans?
Bi-partisanship has largely been absent from the health care bills, which effectively fueled the recent election. I'm sure there is plenty of blame to go around, so let's not dwell on the past.
I think there is a moment right now where a real bi-partisan bill could be formed and passed. Both sides (and the American public) agree health care reform is necessary.
I think the way forward is those C-SPAN televised health negotiations. Obama and the Democratic leaders should now offer to do those open-door negotiations. It might seem at first like too little, too late, but if they actually carry through with them in a meaningful way, I think it would have a high probability of turning positive.
Of course, this strategy requires an actual willingness to compromise that will result in a scaled down bill with new stuff added in. That's the reality of bi-partisanship!
