"WASHINGTON — Given hardening Republican opposition to Congressional health care proposals, Democrats now say they see little chance of the minority’s cooperation in approving any overhaul, and are increasingly focused on drawing support for a final plan from within their own ranks. " - Steven Perez from Bookmarklet

"Top Democrats said Tuesday that their go-it-alone view was being shaped by what they saw as Republicans’ purposely strident tone against health care legislation during this month’s Congressional recess, as well as remarks by leading Republicans that current proposals were flawed beyond repair." - Steven Perez

If I'm seeing this right, Obama played the Republicans again. Publicly, he held out his hand in a bipartisan spirit while letting the GOP to act even more nutty and seem even more intractable until, finally, he throws his hands up in resignation and moves without them. This rumor about dropping the public option was to rally the troops and motivate the Blue Dogs into getting off their backsides. - Steven Perez

@Steve: That is how I saw it too! - Mark Layton

Plans within plans. Damn, this guy is good. - Steven Perez from IM