Commentary: The party that always looked weak now looks stronghttp://www.marketwatch.com/story/health-bill-brings-democrats-back-to-life-2010-03-21After all these years, the Democrats have finally achieved one of their most cherished goals: Passing health-care reform.
Although it could have been much, much better, the new law should accomplish a tremendous amount of good for the country.
Millions of Americans will have access to health care that cannot be taken away from them just when they need it most. The law also takes the first baby steps toward reining in the out-of-control health-care costs that threaten to swamp the national budget and our national competitiveness.
Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the vote will also help the Democrats in this fall's mid-term elections.
Although the Republicans are still likely to pick up dozens of House seats and several in the Senate, the health-care vote improves the chances that the Democrats will cling to power in both chambers, and that President Barack Obama will be re-elected in 2012.
Why? Because getting the bill passed makes the Democrats look like winners, like people who make good on their promises, like people who finally stood up to the bully who's been kicking sand in their faces all these years.