Nate Silver has an interesting analysis of the makeup of the House which indicates that it will be very difficult for anything worthwhile to pass. Of the total membership of 433 at the present time, 233 are Republicans, 200 Democrats. It was a surprise to me that only 51 Republicans are Tea Party people, 182 are what Silver calls Establishment Republicans. Only 14 Democrats are considered Blue Dogs, Silver considers the remaining 186 liberal.
In the Plan B battle, speculation is that at least 34 Republicans were against it, bringing the number of GOP approving it to 199. Thus, to reach the passing mark of 217, 18 Democrats would have to approve the proposal, but there are only 14 Blue Dogs. Hence, Boehner's withdrawal of what, to my mind, was not a sensible proposal.
I must say that I find it indicative of our times that 12% of the House could wield such power. Are the other members so cowardly?
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