Regarding Democrats’ threat to pass health care reform through reconciliation …

… the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, warned that Republicans would use the health issue to bludgeon Democrats in this year’s midterm elections. If the Democrats “jam” an expansive bill through Congress, Mr. McConnell said, “it will be the issue in every single race in America this fall.”

I’m sorry, Senator, but this strikes me as an empty threat. No matter what the Democrats do, GOP candidates will use the issue to “bludgeon” them later this year. More precisely: Any Democrat who voted at any point for any version of health care reform will be attacked for that vote.

What would make this threat carry more weight is if GOP leadership promised not to “bludgeon” Democrats who vote against the current version. Better yet, how about making this promise, namely: Republicans will gladly let Democrats vie for seats uncontested if they’ll just vote “no” on the current bill.

Then you’d have something, Senator. Then your threat would carry some force. Otherwise, please spare us the theatrics.