The march to the destruction of Obamacare continues

Nancy Pelosi is not smiling today. That would not be breaking news unless you sensed that she sees writing on the wall. The writing says her legacy could be a footnote. The phrase that comes to mind is sucking it up and dealing with it. Obamacare might survive if grassroots forces make it clear to conservative legislators that they will pay dearly if they wreck it.

But breaking news affects moods. As the Trump health bill progresses through the House, things can't be good for Pelosi or anyone else who remembers how hard it was to squeeze even the half loaf of the Affordable Care Act from the angry clutches of the Trumpian elite.

The Trumpian elite

There is a new demographic beyond the oligarchic. Yesterday Trump-hating New York Times columnist Charles Blow lacerated Donald Trump, noting the president's past efforts to climb into the upper echelons of New York Society. Blow said that Barack Obama can enter this milieu with consummate ease but that Trump could never gain admittance. Hence there was an abundance of resentment and anger. Follow it through until now and you can more or less see the progression. If the worst Russia charges are proved, the case will be airtight.

The Trumpian elite is made up of those who despise the upper echelons as Trump does. This substantial demographic is happy to rub their resentment into the noses of the friends of Barack Obama.

Today in Washington

So today in Washington the drama is being played out. The Trump bill will stop the expansion of Medicaid and give tax credits to the young and healthy. The legislation is moving from record-time passage by two big committees to the House rank and file. If Ryan and company can garner the votes needed, it will move to the Senate.

Obamacare's best bet

What can happen? The bill could fail to pass the House. It could pass and be killed in the Senate. Can the GOP overcome a virtual wall of opposition from industry, business and health professionals? If it is a matter of salesmanship, the odds are with Trump. If a wave of opposition inundates Congress, the odds shift significantly.

The best bet so far is that such a wave will force the Senate to put brakes on legislation whose economic impact has not even been determined with any care. As of now, we are talking about arresting some serious momentum.