Craig, the president screwed up badly by thinking sweet talk and reasoning would advance what he felt was a mandate given him by the electorate. Politics is a bare-knuckle game and he would have known from Canada's and Clinton's experience that introducing a radical cast to healthcare is a tough assignment under the best of circumstances. The US climate is far from the best for it. I'd tell him to take off his gloves.

The president doesn't "feel" his position in this respect is legitimate; it is legitimate. Opposition should recognize that presidents must deal with the world that is rather than what others want it to be. Republicans will recognize this over time, not from any loss of character or responsibility, but as the only way to proceed if they want to have a chance in 16 and beyond. Demographics won't have it any other way.

Republicans as any threatened government or party will always protect the king, the No. One rule of survival. The king is the GOP, badly splintered by a radical rump called the Tea Party. No one can seriously malign concern for financial prudence, which is what opposition party or parties are supposed to do. That's a Republican responsibility. Holding the country to ransom for nothing gained, as the Tea Party did, is self-defeating.

You asked, and that's the way I see it. An opinion, nothing more, nothing less.