THAT'S THE IDEA: Democratic defeat imperils health care overhaul.

Obama may have obtained the worst possible result: blame for a crummy process that caused Democrats to look crooked and out of touch with no result to show for it.

Well, that's because (a) it was a crummy process; (b) it proved the Democrats were crooked (though probably no more than the Republicans); (c) it proved the political establishment (both parties) is completely out-of-touch with the electorate; and (d) ObamaCare should fail.

But other than that, the Times editorial is right on the mark.