His health care plan had the unfortunate property of pissing off both organized labor and the healthcare industry, and neither Republicans or Democrats really g

His health care plan had the unfortunate property of pissing off both organized labor and the healthcare industry, and neither Republicans or Democrats really got behind it. Which was too bad, because it certainly would have been better than what we actually got. Then again, if it had to wind its way through the legislative sausage-making it would probably end up as bad as the current bill. It's a reminder that to be an effective senator, one can't just be smart, well-intentioned, and hard-working. One also has to be good at convincing the preening sociopaths that occupy most of the Senate to go along with it. I've met Wyden several times at volunteer events, and he seems like an incredibly friendly and down-to-earth guy. Not that the personal qualities of a legislator are all that relevant, but it doesn't hurt my impression of someone.