IOs there such an animal as a "Blue dog Democrat" or "principled Republican" when it comes to these close votes ? Today we have a historic vote that can start the trail back to the a similar yoke we threw off in 1775. Several "blue dog" democrats have been holding out because of their "strong pro-life stand". The bill cannot be changed, so the only way they could vote for such a thing is if they abandon their "indelible beliefs". Obviously then, if any of these vote for the bill, they were just holding out for a bigger "payoff" ! Values can be trashed..their price was met.
Same with Republicans who voted for the bailouts..and thus, the government acquisition and subsequent act of it being given as a gift , to the unions.