It has become apparent that the Republicans will not support a health insurance reform bill this year -- or even engage in honest discussion about the issue.
Don't waste your breath, Obama supporters urged him, they're not listening anyway. No matter how urgent and necessary reform is, they want you to fail and they want this failure to be your Waterloo.
Obama can find the perfect statement to make to the loyal opposition whose contributions to the national conversation are disruption and distortions. It's in his inaugural speech and there's no need to even tweak it because it applies to extremists of all stripes who refuse to communicate and cooperate like civil human beings:
"To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history. We will extend a hand if you're willing to unclench your fist."
Only then can they accept a slice at the pizza party.
