I'm not sure what crazy deals Nancy Pelosi had to make to Blue Dog Democrats to get their vote. Maybe I don't want to know.Democrats narrowly passed their healthcare reform bill Saturday in a close 220-215 vote. After the bill's passage, Nancy Pelosi struck the gavel to Democrats' cheers and applause. Now the fate of healthcare reform lies in the significantly less capable hands of Harry Reid and re-election conscious Democrats in the Senate.

Between Reid and Pelosi, it's clear which is the stronger party leader. I still can't forget the look on Pelosi's face when Joe Wilson shouted, "You lie!" at the President in her chambers. Frankly, she looked ready to wrap the offender in her coils and swallow him whole. Despite the outburst, Pelosi has been able to get business done with Republicans at their craziest.

Reid, on the other hand, may not even be re-elected. His approval rating dropped to 32% among Nevadans in October 2007. Much of that can be blamed on sketchy land purchasing deals he made in 2006. God knows how low it is now. The man has allowed Republicans to create a 60-vote passage minimum without them actually having to filibuster. Ridiculous! Maybe if he'd called their bluff during debate over lesser bills, then we wouldn't be in this mess. But now he has no leverage and no real power.

So what's next? Well, here's what I'd do if I could ghost-hack the Democratic party leadership:

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Logic FAIL. Why are people so stupid?Both the American Medical Association and the AARP endorsed the House Democrats' healthcare bill Thursday. The endorsements represent a shot in the arm for the Democrats' healthcare reform efforts. The AMA's move is particularly significant since the group has historically sided against healthcare reform. The AMA's president, Dr. J. James Rohack, expressed that the legislation is "not a perfect representation of our views" but is close enough to merit their support.

The bill does include a public healthcare insurance option.

Democrats posted the 2,000-page bill, H.R. 3962, Tuesday and it's set to hit the chamber floor Friday, so your pledged 72-hour review period has already begun.

Pelosi asserted her confidence in the bill Thursday, stating that she will have the 218 necessary votes to pass it. Furthermore, President Obama plans to meet with congressional Democrats on Friday to review the legislation. Voting on the bill is expected to occur Saturday.

The passing of the House bill with a firm public healthcare insurance option is paramount if the Dems hope to keep the option during House/Senate negotiations. That's of course assuming the Senate bill, which will have an opt-out clause for its public option, passes. The House bill still has that big $1.1 trillion price tag to worry about, but I like the 5.4 percent income tax surcharge on $500k+ earners and $1 million earning families more than the tax on "Cadillac" plans. A) It appears to be a steadier revenue stream and B) it doesn't hurt union members who exchanged higher salaries for such "Cadillac" plans that include more benefits.

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