Brad DeLong makes the observation that neither Democrats nor Republicans "have an incentive to discuss the Republican roots of Obama's health-care plan. But that doesn't mean they're not real -- and deep."

In fact, Mitt Romney's version of health care reform for Massachusetts -- signed into law in 2006 -- is very close to what just passed the House over the weekend.

This is why Josh Marshall suggests that Romney's strong reaction to the passage of health care reform is a sign that "the passage of this bill pretty much ends his chances to be nominated for the presidency."

"If the Republicans want to make Obama's signature piece of legislation a centerpiece of their 2012 campaign (and it's hard to imagine they won't since what else will they run on?), they can't very well run a candidate who supported and passed close to an identical bill [in Massachusetts]. It's a no-brainer."

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/03/22/is_romney_toast_in_2012.html#ixzz0ixc5bhfK