MARK STEYN: “There’s something creepy about a political class so determined to impose a vast transformative bill cooked up backstage in metaphorically smoke-filled rooms on a nation that doesn’t want it. It’s an affront to republican government and quasi-European in its disdain for the citizenry.”

Yes, the unwillingness even to seriously argue the merits is the most disturbing aspect. But close behind is the GOP’s willingness to alienate its base at a time when — you’d think — the exigencies of the war would dictate the opposite.

UPDATE: Ron Coleman: “What a squandered, ugly moment.”