Super Genius in Chief pleased to be on the precipice

"From the discussions we had, it's clear that we are on the precipice of an achievement that has eluded Congresses and presidents for decades."
--President Obama, after meeting with Senate Democrats on the health care bill, Dec. 15, 2009.

MIRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY: "1: a very steep or overhanging place; 2: a hazardous situation; broadly : brink"
--Reply by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's office.

Here's another way to look at it.

Unfortunately, if this bill passes, and it does the damage to health care, the economy, and the federal budget that I expect it will, I doubt the Democrats will ever suffer any consequences, politically. In fact, once it's in place, nationalized healthcare's failures will be taken as signs that we haven't gone far enough, that the federal role must expand even further. Though the smartest politician in the history of the universe may be delighted as he dances over the cliff, it's the rest of us who will take the fall.