Melting Waxman by Jim Geraghty on National Review Online

Melting Waxman by Jim Geraghty on National Review Online: "It’s been a rough couple of days for Rep. Henry Waxman (D., Calif.), who’s trying to get a health-care bill through the House Energy and Commerce Committee. A National Journal CongressDaily headline on Thursday none too subtly declared that “Waxman’s Approach Raises Questions,” with a member of the committee, Rep. Bart Stupak (D., Mich.), declaring he will try to hold up the legislation on the floor if he isn’t allowed a vote on an amendment to prohibit federal funding for abortion.

On Friday, Waxman became so frustrated with the “Blue Dog” Democrats that he threatened to have the legislation bypass his own committee. Needless to say, an attempt to block out the 52 or so Blue Dogs was supremely risky; it would almost certainly guarantee their opposition and probably make passage impossible if the Republicans stood unified in opposition.

Then Rep. Charlie Melancon (D., La.), co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, emerged from negotiations declaring that Waxman had “lied to” him and his allies; Melancon also accused the chairman of deciding to “sever discussions with the Blue Dogs who are trying to make this bill work for America.” The fury of the seven Blue Dogs on the committee suggested that a permanent wedge had been driven between the"