Health-Care's Twin Edges

House Democrats from swing districts face a troubling dilemma. No one wants to be the 216th or so vote in favor of the Senate's version of Obamacare. That would allow every Republican running against endangered moderates to slam them as the final vote in favor of a radically unpopular bill. However, no one wants to be the 216th or so vote against Obamacare. Then the wrath of leadership can fall upon them.

That may be one of the reason on-the-fence members of the House have increased incentive for forming blocs. It's harder for leadership to punish/threaten a group than it is for it to punish/threaten a lone lawmaker. That's why Stupak is probably trying as much as he can to keep his coalition together. If it starts to fray, leadership might smell blood.