Given that the Dems will have to go it alone, one less vote in the Senate is a real pain in the ass.
Kennedy, aware of his limited time or at least his inability to be part of the process, recently asked for an interim appointment in leiu of the special voting session currently required by Commonwealth of Massachusetts law.
In light of his death, it probably makes more sense to delay the health care vote and hold the election for senator. The time frame for electing a new senator has been stated as 5-6 months. Can the vote be delayed that long?
In any event the Birthers, Teabaggers and other miscreants opposed to health care reform will howl. Changing or circumventing the law to appoint a Dem senator will be seen as a foul, and probably in fact would be a foul. Delaying the health care vote will certainly be seen as a foul, but is justifiable in many ways.
However, if the 60th vote is not there, that only means the vote is not filibuster-proof. That just means it will be a harder victory, but victory is not unattainable. Our elected reps are going to have to earn their pay.
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