Bob Casey Jr.

As the Senate digs in for weeks, or months, of debate over health care reform , some politicians are suggesting that Congress may settle for an "imperfect" bill just for the sake of getting it passed -- even if it means abandoning or delaying initiatives important to President Obama and his supporters.Republicans are almost resolutely opposed to any legislation that would come out of the debate, which started in the Senate Monday, and for the most part their votes are considered out of reach. This means that moderate Democrats, who are pushing for a more streamlined bill, hold the key to passage. White House officials repeatedly said over the summer that lawmakers were "80 percent" in agreement over the plan, and they were seeking the final 20. Months later, with several deadlines broken and the midterm election year approaching, 80 percent might just be good enough -- hearkening back to one of the president's favorite nuggets of advice: the perfect should not be the enemy of the essen...

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