Marzouq, you also make an error when you say that they have until 2010 to get this done. Next year is an election year – whenever economic times are bad and the electorate is surly, Congress goes into total paralysis in the spring and summer before the election – they are terrified of doing anything that an opponent could use against them.

Realistically, Obama and the House majorities only have about 6 weeks left to pull this off, the time remaining before Congress breaks for the holiday recess. (yes, they take VERY long holidays) After that, the chances of getting anything besides meaningless boilerplate passed are just about zero.

That’s why you see the tone getting so desperate – the Battle is Now.