What to do about the wrangling over health care reform and the president's seeming capitulation to Republican obstructionists and corporate interests?

O¿O in the crowd suggested half-jokingly that Obama should channel Buford Pusser and knock a few Senate Democrats' heads. Bluebell and other progressives have said they're so disillusioned at the president's stance on the public option that they're giving up on Obama and the Dems, possibly forever as I understand it. Stillidealistic worries that the health care bill will be watered down, too, but says it's better to close ranks behind the president and take half a loaf.

I'm walking a tightrope but leaning toward the progressives, and here's why:

Having lost the battle (not the Forever War) to win single payer, we are faced with the possibility of losing the public option, too. Obama has spoken of the public option as something he wants to see in the final bill, but not as something he must see. And while that leaves everyone involved -- especially the president -- lots of wiggle room, that's exactly what's wrong here. Too much wiggle room all around.

If House Blue Dogs and Baucus's Gang of Six think the public option is expendable, then there's no reason to complicate their voting records with folks back home. It's an easy three-pointer to the trash can.

Would a bill without the public option be a worthy goal anyway? Banning certain insurance industry practices like rescission and denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions are big steps in the right direction, certainly. On the other hand, absent a public option, it's easy to imagine the insurance industry inserting provisions such as a personal mandate that would only strengthen its hand to innovate new abuses.

There aren't 60 Senate votes for the public option, but right now, there aren't 60 votes for any plan. And it isn't clear that 60 votes are required. In the end, 51 may be enough. At some point, no matter what, there will have to be some arm twisting. So far, Obama has shown no stomach for that. Reportedly, he's even cut side-deals with some potentially big opponents of reform in an effort to sideline them. But they are still actively working to oppose reform or at least oppose the public option.

The point is this: Unless the president draws a line in the sand, we could easily get a bill that does very little or is even stacked in favor of the special interests. The public option is the only way to hold down costs and provide a mechanism of direct accountability though the political process. It is no small thing to squander away.

I say: Get loud, get angry and pour on the pressure now. Don't leave the party just yet. Not until you've told the president and Congress that you expect them to exercise leadership that defines the issues instead of letting the Far Right do it for us. Demanding leadership doesn't hurt the president or Congress; it strengthens their hands. We are the only game in town and the Democrats know it. If we don't hand Obama the bat, he can never be Buford Pusser when he needs to be. And it appears he needs to be.