Moderate Democrats, such as both Senators from Virginia have misgivings about health care reform. While millionaire businessman Mark Warner has signaled tepid support, former Navy Secretary Jim Webb wrote in a Winchester Star Op-Ed piece this week, “I have yet to decide whether I will support final passage of the bill… True reform must be done in an effective and responsible fashion, without creating a cumbersome, overly bureaucratic system.”

Such fears have undercut health care reform in national and Virginia polls all year. Virginia Republican Bob McDonnell won a landslide election for Governor last month, with exit polls suggesting some voters sent an anti-Obama anti- healthcare reform message.

Webb and other democrats know supporting the reform bill will cost them with voters.

Larry Sabato, University of Virginia political scientist adds, “There are lots of problems connected to it and if democrats pass this with almost entirely democratic votes, and by a very narrow margin in both houses, they’re going to own it lock, stock and barrel. They’re not just going to own it for 2010 but 2012 and 2014 and beyond.”

Republicans want to see reform backers defeated at the polls.

“We certainly hope that there is going to be a price to be paid for those who voted against the will and wishes of their constituents back in their states, against the small biz owners, against the experts and against the american people generally,” said South Dakota Senator John Thune (R).

President Obama and the pro-reform liberal left are doing everything possible to garner every last democratic vote, knowing full well it will cost some lawmakers their re-election.

Sabato sums up the cold blooded truth of the matter. “Some of these democrats just aren’t going to be back after next November, so you want their votes now. You’ll cry for them Argentina next November, but you want their votes now, even if it costs them their seats.”