Certainly. And final passage of HCR was just this close as it is. Somehow I don't think that was so much that progressives "laid down" though.

Because final passage was just this close, wasn't it — probably because that piece of crap was in there.

After all, if there is, say, some part of an overall HCR package that happens to be poorly conceived and is also — very likely — unconstitutional, then that part of the package will fold on the first or second constitutional court challenge.

And the remainder of the HCR package will remain in place.

Unless, in a fit of self-destructiveness akin to the current Rethuglican desire to drive out moderates and achieve "purity" among thier party members, the progressives drive out the Blue Dogs and lose those districts to the Rethugs that usually occupy those seats — and hand the 2010 and 2012 elections back to the newly purified neo-skinheads.

Tea? Anyone?

If (when?) that hand-back occurs, then the whole HCR would likely be repealed.

And the SC court will likely be handed one more conservative.

And then Roe will be overturned. Which pretty much makes the Stupak amendment totally redundant, Right?