Democrats begin to fracture

Washington Times:

After winning most battles during his first 100 days, President Obama has begun to hit hurdles in Congress over the twin pillars of his domestic agenda, taking flak from his party's left for not going far enough on health care and seeing his greenhouse gas emissions plan stalled by moderate Democrats and regional concerns.

The anger over his health care plan spilled over at a congressional hearing Tuesday when protesters stood and shouted, "Put single payer on the table."

They were complaining that Mr. Obama's and Congress' preferred plans don't replace the private health insurance system with one run by the government.

Former presidential hopeful and former party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday night that Democrats and Mr. Obama will suffer if they don't strike more boldly on health care.

...

Meanwhile, Mr. Obama's and congressional Democratic leaders' effort to cap greenhouse gas emissions has run into problems. Lawmakers representing coal-producing districts and Southeastern states, whose industries would have to buy expensive renewable energy credits, have halted progress on a sprawling draft cap-and-trade bill. Committee action on the bill has been delayed indefinitely as Democrats attempt to settle clashes among the rank and file and leadership.

...

The Democrats are wrong on health care which ever faction winds up on top. Neither faction is prepared to deal with the bad results that comes from rationed health care. Yet rationing is the only way they can afford whatever approach they take.

On energy, the cap and trade system will be a disaster and many of the Democrats from the Midwest understand that. It appears that the Obama administration and the environmental wackos are trying to buy them off. There may not be enough money to do that.