And the "41 Senators" the Republicans claim now is also a red herring--if Olympia Snowe's idea is accepted she has said she will support the Democrats' health bill.

But insisting on a guaranteed "public option" is a deal-breaker.

It's time--past time--for compromise.   Bill D's theory of "don't bother" is all too true--that seems to be the stance of far too many liberals.