During the recovery bill process, we discussed at length the notion of Republican sabotage (here and here). In other words, the Republicans were tricking spineless Democrats into caving to their wingnut demands, and then turned around and refused to vote for the recovery bill anyway.
Well, the Democrats never learn.
Max Baucus just got screwed by the Finance Committee Republicans. AmericaBlog:
So, remember the big deal reached in the Senate by Max Baucus and those GOP Senators? Not true say those GOP Senators, Grassley (IA) and Enzi (WY).
Even better (or worse), Enzi said there will be no deal unless he gets everything he wants in the final bill.
And even if Enzi and Grasshole get everything they want in the bill, my educated hunch is that they and the Republicans still won't vote for it. That's just how they roll. Classic scorpion and the frog hackery. So at this point, if there's any reason or rationality left in Max Baucus's bribed skull and any testosterone left in Harry Reid's nuts, they have to entirely ignore the Republicans from here on out. Jettison them now. Ignore Grasshole. Ignore Enzi. Flip them the bird and walk away. The Democrats do not need them. 60 votes.