Yep, two votes. That was the net margin of the final vote: 220-215. Remember, you need 218 votes to pass. Without the two "Yea" votes of Owens and Garamendi, the lone Republican vote from Joseph Cao likely doesn't happen. This bill would not have passed without the votes of Bill Owens and John Garamendi, the two newest members of Congress. Without them, the "Yeas" drop to 217. Defeat.

Newly elected Representative Bill Owens beat DeDe Scozzafava, who recently lamented, "What’s The Hurry to Change Health Care?". Though Scozzafava was attacked by rightwing loonies as being too "liberal", I'm pretty sure we could put her down as a NO.

John Garamendi won California's 10th District, defeating David Harmer, a bland, generic GOP sort, judging from his webpage. But he had all the "right" endorsements, so we can pretty safely put him down as a NO.

Okay, I'll concede, we can't ever be sure that it was Owens and Garemendi who put it over the top. Too many variables, and too many Representatives wait until the last second to cast safe votes, once they're sure of the outcome. Whatever.

Aren't you glad the Democrats had those two votes tonight?

Aren't you glad the Teabaggers went apeshit and forced a winning GOP candidate from the race in NY-23? Thanks, nutjobs! You just passed healthcare reform. We can't ever thank you enough.

I'm currently pretty pleased with Tuesday's election results. How about you?



Added: Take this diary as symbolic more than literal if you must. As many commentors have pointed out, there are too many hypotheticals in the process to ever state with certainty what would have happened without Owens' and Garamendi's votes. But...you're still pretty glad we had their votes, aren't you?