Political pros in MA say it doesn’t look good for Martha Coakley.  If she loses, there are 2 potentially positive results:

(1) it may remind Democratic politicians that neglect of their base guarantees defeat, thereby forcing them to be more aggressive throughout the rest of President Obama’s first term;

(2) it may lead to either the end of the filibuster (doubtful) or at least persuade them to use reconciliation on the health care bill.

Potential negative consequences beyond the obvious loss of a Senate seat:

(1) Senate Democrats become even more timid, further alienating their progressive base and guaranteeing losses in the next several elections until the party either reinvents itself or dissolves;

(2) The House passes the Senate health bill with no changes to bring it closer to the House bill;

(3) All reform bills (labor, Wall Street) are killed or watered-down enough to be meaningless.

If 59 Senate votes, the presidency and a huge majority in the House aren’t enough to pass real reforms in a time of war and domestic crisis, then American democracy is truly dead.  We’ll see.  If you live in MA, vote today!