"they know they can't do that..."

Rich Lowry, hoping that the Senate can kill Obamacare, makes a point that is key to understanding what's going on.

If Obamacare is so necessary and wise, there’s no true need to hurry. If it fails to pass the Senate, Democrats should campaign on it around the country. They should keep talking of its wonders, and build up public support for it, turning around the polls. They should enhance their majority in the House and the Senate, bringing new Obamacare Democrats to Washington. That’s how you build toward passing historic legislation in a system such as ours naturally resistant to large-scale change. Democrats don’t want to do that because, in their heart of hearts, they know they can’t do that. They want to jam it through instead.

What's the panic rush to get "health care reform" done? It can't be done otherwise. The American people do not want it. Some do, but nowhere near a majority - a fairly significant, and growing, majority wants no part of it. They cannot go out and build consensus for a plan, because the more they talk about their plan, the more the support evaporates. And they've already done enough to, very likely, lose their majority in the house. I've said this before - if they don't get it now, they do not get it.

I continue to hope and pray that they don't get it.