max's bullshit plan, which relied upon co-ops that were designed to be ineffective in lieu of a public plan, might end up saving the public option. by going with an obviously neutered version of the co-op idea, baucus may have ended up discrediting the co-op idea in its entirety.
had he come up with a more viable version of the co-ops, we probably would have been stuck with them in the final bill. instead, baucus' plan is being panned by everyone and by extension that may end up strengthening the hand of those who favor a public option.
UPDATE: another sign that the baucus bill has backfired.
