In a controversial statement on the senate floor, the senior senator from Nevada compared opposition to healthcare reform with resistance to the abolition of slavery.
Nine Senate Democrats hinder health reform - Max Baucus, Evan Bayh, Tom Carper, Kent Conrad, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Bill Nelson & Joe Lieberman (I).
Republican Dede Scozzafava's challenges did not come from her Democratic opponent Bill Owens but from neocons within her own party supporting conservative Doug Hoffman.
Taking the offensive, liberal Democrats have turned to partisan politics and indicated there's no need for Republican support to pass a comprehensive health care bill.
By giving President Barack Obama a virtual filibuster proof Senate, PA Senator Arlen Specter has presented fundamental problems within the Republican Party.