Mitch McConnell makes a compelling argument against the health care reform that President Obama has made the defining aim of his administration: “This isn’t a fight between Democrats and Republicans. It’s a fight between Democrats inside the Beltway and their constituents beyond it.”
 

But McConnell’s argument has a flaw. No, not the part about the constituents. Polls have shown for months that the American public opposes the health reform bills now before Congress. A recent CNN poll breaks it down: Half of those polled say Congress should start over on health care reform, and one quarter say Congress should leave the health care system alone. Only a quarter of those surveyed think Congress should pass legislation similar to the bills that passed in both chambers.

Even among Democratic voters, slightly less than half favor the current bills, with the remainder saying Congress should either start over or stop work on health care altogether.

No, the flaw in McConnell’s argument is the implication that all Democrats in Congress are on board. While support for this version of health care reform is strictly partisan — only Democrats are in favor — opposition is bipartisan, with a number of Democrats joining the Republicans.

But the gist of the minority leader’s argument is sound. And if Obama’s health care reform fails — as we believe it will — this will be the reason.

The pressure on Democrats is intense, but a handful in the House still remember why they are called “representatives.” Of course, elections every two years make it hard to forget.

Over in the world’s greatest deliberative body, however, six-year terms are supposed to insulate senators from the fickle swings of public opinion. But even senators have to pay attention to the electorate in election years. Which explains why some Democratic senators are distancing themselves from the party and the president. Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, a two-term senator in the political fight of her life, has a new TV ad in which she highlights her votes against, among other Democratic priorities, the public option health care plan. “I don’t answer to my party,” she says. “I answer to Arkansas.”