We’ve gotten — to put it mildly — a lot of emails over the last couple hours — from angry voters and members of Congress defending their actions. The folks on the Hill insist it’s not really over, that Speaker Pelosi might still be able to manage a senate bill with amending bill deal. (As I said in my original post, read and watch her whole statement and interpret for yourself.) I too think that’s possible, though now probably only with some big outside intervention.
The key though is time. That’s the disagreement. The folks on the Hill seem to think that time is on their side, or at least that they can play for time, that emotions will cool, that new possibilities will emerge (most likely a Senate Bill plus amending bill deal). I think they’re wrong. (If I thought the House leaders were playing hardball with the House and White House, I’d be less pessimistic. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening.) Time is not on their side. I think the everyone moment that goes by, demoralization and panic sinks in further, and action becomes less likely.
I don’t think they get that because I think they’re still in shock.
