Steve vs. Zack

Nice job, Dave, on scoops in last 24 hours with Driehaus going "yes" and Space going "no."  The Exec Order from Obama apparently secured the Stupak group, including Driehaus.

As for Space it's hard to tell  which is the worst gibberish issued by the Space camp to explain his flip flop from 'Yes" to "No": Press secretary's statement to Dave and BSB below or Space's statement to the PD on "payfors" in the bill.

The Space presser sounds like Dennis Kucinich justifying his old utopian "No" position before safe-district DK switched to "yes." Zack's statement to the PD about "opening the door" to taxing what he calls the middle class (individuals making more than $250,000 and couples above $500,000 a year)is a stretch at best for a populist-sounding excuse to vote "no" today.

Either explanation is hardly a Space profile in courage -- given all the good the bill does for those families who are one health emergency away from bankruptcy under current law.

The hunch here is that the Obama/Pelosi vote counters got enough votes without Space for the bill and gave him a pass today to do whatever he felt he had to do in his GOP-dominated/ Bob Ney district. We will soon see. Hopefully, Space will have a last minute change of heart or intestinal fortitude.

From cable breaking news on Bart Stupak's announcement, it looks like House will easily exceed 216 Dems -- and, dare we dream, might give some cover to Space and  a few Republicans to vote "yes."