I spoke today with an aide for Rep. Mike Quiqley (IL). He stated that Congress is still hoping to hear what comes out of committee before making a final decision about health care reform. I did ask about the recent loss in Massachusetts and how that might effect the process, he stated that they were not concerned about it and it didn't effect how Quiqley or Congress would conduct business. Odd since if you read any paper, columnist or blog someone somewhere is screaming PANIC! Or writing the obituary for President Obama's term in office and the Democrats in 2010. The message seemed simple from Quiqley. Don't panic. I also asked about pushing through the Senate bill to which the aide stated, "that's not on the table." After hearing from President Obama that seems to be accurate. If anything we should learn from this beside to not commit political malpractice is that we need to be heard again and again. We have spent an entire year stressing the importance of meaningful health care reform. The bills have passed both through the House and the Senate. One election does not change that. One election does not mean we should give up a years and years of effort and whimper away.

cross-posted at Frank Chow http://frankchowrules.blogspot.com