The dynamic of the health care debate is decidedly turning against the administration. As details of the doctor shortage, Medicare cuts, tax increases, penalties for no insurance, shallow subsidies and high costs for the uninsured all leak out, more and more Americans are developing qualms about the bill.
But, within Congress, the momentum is the other way as the bill hurtles toward December passage in the Senate.
But, then it will hit a wall as the houses try to reconcile their different versions so as to satisfy the liberal House and Obama's base on the one hand and the most conservative among the 60 Democratic senators on the other. This debate will focus on such a broad range of issues and will be so contentious that it is going to take a long time to resolve.
Meanwhile, popular angst with the bill will continue to build, and Election Day will approach. More and more members will be anxious about supporting the bill, and both left and right will dig in their heels and resist compromise.
The health care bill may pass both houses, but may not be able to be enacted into law. The tide of public opinion cannot be resisted.