Now that city council elections are over, I look foward to seeing the destructing political landscape we see before us as we near the 2010 elections. As the GOP self destructs, and the democrats lose control of their too big for business tent.

So I watched CSPAN last night as the votes on the house health care plan came in. It was pretty expected, though I didn't think the margin would be so small.

A host of conservative blue dog democrats crossed the line to vote against the plan, and I whole heartedly expected not a single republican to support it. As the votes neared the end, you could see some of the final waiting votes, democrats who wanted it to pass, but didnt want to be on record for voting yes on it, as well as republicans that likley supported it and were weighing the political backlash from the rightwing opposition that we have seen sour the republican party.

In the end one republican supported it. I half expected it to be Mike Castle or Mark Kirk, arguably the two most liberal republicans in the house, and both mounting senate bids in the most solid of blue states, races considered among the top likley to switch parties in 2010. But instead it was Joseph Cao (who the heck is he?) from Louisiana.

Naturally, my facebook feed, dominated by conservatives and libertarians flooded in dismay at the vote. Hosts of people called for the ousting of Joseph Cao for a better more conservative republican because he had quote "caused a government take over of health care."

So now it is time for some math: 218 votes were required to pass the legislation.219 democrats voted to support it. Rep. Cao's vote counted for NOTHING.

I would think instead of attempting to fuel hate at a moderate republican for his vote that didn't count for anything, people would put more effort upon seeing the failure of their movement to convince enough moderate democrats such as Colorado's John Salazar to vote against this bill.

Of course clapping ensued as the 218th democrat casted their yes vote, and the democrat leadership pushed it as this great (albeit very predictable, but unpredictably close) victory. So time for lesson number two:

The Senate is the body in which, as progressives put it- "Good Legislation Goes to Die"

.......or as Isay-"The checks and balances of our government work"

Nancy Pelosi, in her infinite arrogance, doesn't seem to understand that such a close margin on this bill spells doom in the senate, a more conservative body by nature, where they have to convince the entire Democratic Caucus to stand against a fillibuster. Something Joe Lieberman will not do with the presence of a public option. Something Ben Nelson will not do with his health-industry-bankrolled campaign coffers, something Mary Landrieu wont do without Olympia Snowe's trigger option. So conservatives, dont let this allow you and your movement to self destruct. Liberals, dont celebrate your victory until it has actually happened.

Here's the review:

220 votes - 1 republican = Not a damn difference

220-215 House vote ---> Senate = Failure