With apologies to Clement Moore, here is my own take on T'was the Night Before Christmas.

T'was the night before Christmas and all through D.C.
The Senate's in session, not home by the tree.
Their stockings were hung by their families waiting
But Senators sat on The Hill still debating.

Malia and Sasha were snug in their beds
While visions of healthcare danced in Barack's head.
Michelle in Armani, Barack in his tux
Awaited the news of a health plan deluxe.

When out on the Mall there arose such a clatter
Barack sprang from his chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the windows he ran with a flurry.
He peered out the window, told Michelle not to worry.

The moon on the breast of the global warmth white
Made Copenhagen look like a foolish world fight.
When what to Obama's eyes did appear
But a Senatorial limo and eight bargaineers.

Harry Reid was the driver with others in tow.
The news Obama awaited he now soon would know.
The limo soon emptied. The Senators came.
Harry whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now Nelson, now Saunders, now Lieberman, too.
On Durbin, on Schumer, on Mary Landrieu.
The deals that they cut, the money so free
Will be paid for by taxpayers like you and like me.

Reid was dressed all in green, though his nose, it was red.
His morals were tarnished, but his goal had been fed.
The American people would be given relief
By the ethically-challenged Senate belief.

It's healthcare that's needed and that is our cause.
You'll pay for it now, but the care part will pause.
We won't get that started until re-election.
But the people will pay and we'll stand no objection.

Barack and old Harry shook hands and drank nog
Toasting Nancy Pelosi, Rahm and Axelrod.
They filled the Dems' stockings and called for the press
While voters lay sleeping unaware of the mess.

But Republicans raged; not one word of this bill
Will we put in the stockings for voters to fill.
The taxes too heavy; the fixes too brief;
The lawyers still merry; no healthcare relief.

So they sprang to their planes and flew out of D.C.
To return to their homes and constituency.
And we heard them exclaim ‘ere they flew out of sight,
Merry Christmas to all and next year a good fight!