I remain all but certain that comprehensive healthcare reform legislation will pass this spring. The New York Times isn’t sure, but Nancy Pelosi is. My money is on Pelosi. “Every legislative vote is a heavy lift around here,” she told reporters earlier today. “You assume nothing."  But she added, "We will pass a bill."  I agree. The process will be ugly, but they will get it done.

Unless the president and Pelosi have signed a secret political suicide pact, they wouldn’t be doing this unless they were quite sure they could pull it off.

Most of the press is more skeptical than I am. But I’ve been a journalist long enough to know that you don't sell many newspapers with a headline that reads: “Game Over.”  Uncertainty is far more interesting; the media will do its best to keep the suspense alive to the very end.  

That's fine. Americans should be paying attention to this process. And those who want reform should contact their representatives.  But don't let the coverage rattle you.

Some readers have suggested that I "Twitter.'

So I'm trying it. Under "maggiemahar." First Twitters were from the blog. Now I'm branching out.

Advice welcomed.

This afternoon, President Obama spoke with the confidence and determination of a leader who knows that he is right—and that he has won.

He is no longer pleading for bi-partisan co-operation. His final proposal includes all Republican suggestions that reformers find useful. The president realizes that some will not agree with his plan. As he said at the end of the Summit, “That’s why we have elections.” Those who disagree can make their beliefs known at the polls.

In the meantime, President Obama is saying: “this is my proposal.”  He would not speak with such authority unless he was quite certain that the Democrats have the votes to pass this legislation.

You will find my comments, in red, interspersed throughout the speech.

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Today, President Obama sent a letter to Congressional leaders, offering to incorporate more Republican ideas in health care legislation.

Don’t panic: Of the four ideas, two are excellent, one was almost certain to happen anyway, and one simply funds pilot projects in the states to explore alternatives to resolving medical malpractice disputes.   This provision does not call for capping malpractice awards—the president has made it clear that he opposes caps. 

Moreover, President Obama makes it very clear that he is not going to “strip down” his bill. He is insisting  on comprehensive reform.

More importantly, Nancy Pelosi appears very close to having the House votes to pass reform. The New America Foundation’s Joanne Kenen reports: 

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