The effect was a bit like shutting down a primary challenge against Baucus: His surprising leftward lurch stopped entirely, and he drifted back to the more centrist approaches that had defined his career.

How often will we have to point out that Baucus and the Blue Dogs are as much in the “center” of the political infield as a first base coach? The only thing he and his peers are at the center of is their own ambition.

In some ways though, I’m ok with this. PO is turning out to be a weak and duplicitous President. Perhaps this is the opening that Congress needs to reassert its own damn authority. The executive branch doesn’t write legislation, Congress does. And Congress critters might be more easily persuaded by threats from their constituents to vote them out of office if they don’t start working for us. Maybe PO will bring about an end to the unitary executive, but not in the way we had expected.

Wouldn’t it be deliciously ironic if PO had to veto health care reform legislation because Congress sent him a bill without all the corporate sweetheart deals? I know I’m dreaming, but I would dearly love to see that : )