INSIDE BASEBALL LOOK AT HEALTHCARE DEBATE

John Hawkins at Right Wing News has some interesting information via an inside source behind the scenes of the healthcare debate taking place on Capitol Hill this week. It's looking more and more like Harry Reid was simply trying to portray optimism in the hopes it would actually rub off and give his diabolical plot a boost.

Here is the exchange:

John: Hey, if this latest Medicare/healthcare bill goes down in flames, will Reid go for reconciliation? Also, I assume if this fails, we're into January, right?

Senate Aide X: Yes, January and I doubt if they'll go for reconciliation.

John: Why do you doubt reconciliation? I ask because I am thinking it won't get 60.

Senate Aide X: I just haven't heard any talk of it.

John: Do you think it will get 60? I am thinking, no.

Senate Aide X: I don't doubt the Dems may do anything to pass it, so I'm not ready to declare it dead.

John: But still, it's looking grim right?

Senate Aide X: They are in much worse shape now than a week ago. If the bill dies this week, it will be because Dems just let it crumble through infighting and the Tea Party/American people standing up in August and demanding through weeks of recent phone calls and protests that it be stopped.

John: If it were to pass somehow, do you think it could die going through ping pong, back and forth between the House?

Senate Aide X: No! Pelosi will rubber stamp whatever the Senate passes.

John: So, you think all these demands from the Left about the public option and the Blue Dogs saying they have to have the Stupak Amendment in there are all for show?

Senate Aide X: No, the left-roots passion is real, but if you are Obama, Reid, and Pelosi, you know this is a one shot deal. This moment won't happen again soon and it's better to cut any deal you can to socialize health care as much as you can now. Take the win, go for more later.

John: One last thing: Chances of passing a health care bill? Give me a percentage.

Senate Aide X: Less than 50% now

John: Thanks for your time. Have a good night.

Be sure to read Hawkins' COMMENTS.