Chess or Checkers?

I am perplexed how Obama’ the health care reform is shaping up. Something which had over 70% public approval, sponsored by a highly popular President with his party controlling both the Senate and Congress, is in the brink of being a token reform. The prolonged and wasted effort to get some support from the Republicans, backroom deals with the Pharmacy industry, hints about giving up the 'public option' so early in the negotiation phase, etc. do not make any sense to me. Is there a hidden strategy behind all this, too sophisticated for MSM and the news analysts to see? I sure hope so. Otherwise, President Obama is going to let down millions like me, who voted for him believing his message of bringing change to Washington.

(I am sick of the gutless Democrats. But other option, supporting the corrupt Republicans, is even worse!)