While the Mainstream Media has been blasting Republicans, including the "fringe-right, radical, marginal, evil, bad, [fill in negative epithet]" TEA Party caucus in the House of Represenatives, Politico.com has focused on the House Democratic Party's fraying caucus, especially among Freshmen Democrats elected in California who entered office with a moderate push from voters.
Then again, Democrats in red states or with conservative credentials have been voting with House Republicans to repeal, defund, and delay Obamacare as well as key portions of the law, too.
As a reminder, a diligent minority of Democrats opposed the Affordable Care Act at the very beginning and they continued running ads against the law durintg the 2010 election cycle (Much good it did them).
Five Democrats voted to repeal Obamacare in 2012.
Democrats in the House and the Senate have passed non-binding resolutions against key aspects of the law, including the job-killing medical device tax. Unions oppose a law which they had believed would strenghten their hand with employers while retaining employees. The ILWU and the AFL-CIO have split over this health care law. "An injury to one" has become an injury to them all including their unity.
In the last House voting session before the shut-down, two Democrats joined with the majority of House Republicans (not just TEA Party affiliates) to defund Obamcare.
US Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia has also suggested that Congress should delay the individual mandate.
Now, as for Pelosi's cadre of Democrats.
Tom Maffei of Central New York represents a conservative, up-state district of the Empire State. He respects his constituents' concerns for jobs, the middle class, and the economy. He's also worried, no doubt, about getting reelected next year.
Raul Ruiz of California barely beat Mary Bono Mack (who is contemplating whether to take back her seat), a long-time mainstay of the Inland Empire. Ruiz has voted against Pelosi on delaying Obamacare and funding Homeland Security, respecting the more conservative leanings of his district.
Patrick Murphy of Florida has compromised his credentials, voting against the defunding continuing resolution, but supporting delay. Obamacare has show little care for Obama's Party, and may do to the Democrats what George W. Bush's spending sprees at home and wars abroad did to the Republican brand during his eight years in office.
As for Pelosi and Company's hopes of taking back the House in 2014, her chances are looking slimmer than ever. So much for "We have to pass the bill so you can see what's in it."
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