Addendum to the last revision of post-summit insurance reform

President Obama's team has a one point lead with time running out. Unfortunately, they committed a foul at the buzzer. The Republicans get to shoot their foul shots on Wednesday. If they miss both free throws, the game is over and the Democrats win. If they make one, the game goes to overtime. If they make two, the Republicans triumph and will, at minimum, have a voice in the next reform effort.

The Republicans will shoot these metaphorical free throws when they respond to President Obama's revised health care initiative. Now, there is nothing scarier than an unscripted Republican in proximity to a microphone (not even Jim Bunning in an elevator or Joe Biden wandering unsupervised among the press).

In the scenario described in the first paragraph, one player totally controls the outcome. Ten players are out on the court, but time has run out and nine players can only watch helplessly while one player determines the outcome. Some time on Wednesday, a Republican spokesperson, most likely Boehner, McConnell or Pence will step to the foul line. It will either be a brick or "nothing but net."

The president will make the case that he has reached out by tacking Republican initiatives on to the current Senate bill. In so doing, he will suggest that he did reach out to the minority and they rejected his overture. Now, he will regrettably be forced to do the people's work via the reconciliation process. It is a good political play in the hands of a star player.

With the game on the line, the Republican statement should read as follows: "We are pleased that President Obama acknowledges some important proposals that need to be considered as we fashion health insurance reform. But the president was listening very selectively. Republicans have consistently and uniformly asserted that the bill before us is a bad bill. It cannot be fixed by adding a little here or subtracting a little there.

No revision or amendment can fix this bill. No Republican promised support for this bill conditioned on the inclusion of any such changes. It is precisely that kind of negotiation that gave us the custom-built fixes that worked their way into the final version of the Senate bill.

Republicans cannot support this bill because it is wildly expansive, financially reckless and constitutionally infirm. It has been our position all along. Further, the voters have called on us, in no uncertain terms , to oppose it.

We will continue to oppose it. It is our responsibility to do so.

Insurance reform is coming. If the effort is to be truly bipartisan, Republicans will have to be invited to the table for more than dessert.