NOT EXACTLY A PORTRAIT IN COURAGE, IS HE?

Democrats shy away from health care tax: Rifts threaten Obama deadline (Jennifer Haberkorn, July 9, 2009, Washington Times)

Cracks in President Obama's health care reform plan formed Wednesday as his August deadline appears to be slipping away amid angst from Democrats over taxing employer benefits to help pay for the $1 trillion makeover.

Top Democrats, including Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, who is helping craft the measure, and Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York said the idea isn't politically viable.

"Fifty-three percent of my constituents would be taxed under that proposal in Connecticut," said Mr. Dodd, who is acting chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.