That’s right. Not 59. Not 60. But 62.
Sen. Susan Collins has signaled a willingness to support a revised health-care bill that focuses on widely shared goals for reform. Yes, that probably means a smaller, less ambitious bill. But if Collins is willing to back such a bill, her Maine counterpart, Sen. Olympia Snowe, probably would be, too.
And as multiple sources have now pointed out — including Jazz Shaw and Nate Silver — Senator-elect Scott Brown might just have the political inclination to support a re-focused measure. (Remember, he has to run again in 2012, and despite Tuesday’s vote, Massachusetts is still a deep-blue state.)
So, in summary: 57 Senate Democrats + 2 Democrat-caucusing Senate Independents + 3 Senate Republicans = 62 (potential) Senate votes for a re-focused/limited measure.
Granted, the math is easier than the actual policy, but such challenges notwithstanding, I think this scenario could be far more realistic than some might want to admit.
Of course, if a bill is re-focused/limited, why not expect broader support? Why wouldn’t more Republicans jump on board? Because, I fear, many of them are still more interested in denying the President victories than they are in constructive governing. I hope they prove me wrong.