Lieberman Discussion continued

My dear friend C. recently wrote:

2) If Lieberman is just a half-smart legislator, he will realize that the opportunity to pass major health insurance reform comes along rarely.  So, "coming back to the public option 3-4 years from now," will be difficult if not impossible.  If he helps the Republicans filibuster the bill, who knows when the next opportunity to do something about this issue will present itself.

I tend to disagree - not about the public option, but about the "opportunity to do something about" major health insurance reform. I think a qualification is needed: this may be the last opportunity for Democrats to pass a bill that needs not include the Republicans in any way. Republicans are more than willing to work towards a better health care/insurance system. For now the Democrats are not interested in working with them, but bipartisan reform will always be an option in the future.