>A failure for Obama is less important to me. It would still sting, though, because it would make it easier for the minority to obstruct everything else he wants to do.

Nonsense. If it fails, it will fail because of the majority (combination of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans) all against it. It will not be a cause of a minority obstructing everything. At least have a clear picture of what is happening. It is not the minority against Obama and his policies. It is turning into a majority of every political spectrum against not him, but some of his policies. He appears to now be doing anything it takes (including going against another promise and making special deals with special interest groups) just to get anything passed. That may be worse, no MUCH worse, than taking the time to do it right.