Life is an endless range of possibilities, and as Democrats try to hammer out a final health care deal, there are some numbers and dates that could possibly complicate their plans for a health care victory celebration.
January 19 is the first hurdle, as on that Tuesday voters in Massachusetts have a special election to formally fill the seat of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.
If the Republican in that race were to win - then Democrats would only have 59 votes in the Senate - which would throw health plans into turmoil.
While there isn't any buzz in the U.S. Capitol about that, there was a Rasmussen poll out the other day that showed GOP State Sen. Scott Brown within 9 points of Attorney General Martha Coakley.
I'm not saying it's going to happen - but, boy - would there be a political earthquake if it did.
Meanwhile over in the House, Democrats start this New Year down one vote, because Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) decided to move on to the private sector.
His seat from Florida won't be filled until a special election on April 13. That means there are 434 members of the House right now.
Wexler was one of the 219 Democrats (and 1 Republican) who voted for the health care bill back in November.
Now that number drops to 218 Democrats with his departure, leaving little margin for error.
Then there is Rep. Neal Abercrombie (D-HI), who is going to run for Governor of Hawaii. Instead of serving out his term while also campaigning, Abercrombie is going to resign his seat effective February 28.
That would leave us with 433 members in the House, of which 217 Democrats voted for the health care bill back in November. The majority with 433 is also 217. Again, little margin for error.
So as Democrats put together their bill, they basically can't lose any votes in the House or Senate. It makes any illness or absence that much more of a fascinating angle on this health care story.
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