Despite the drama involving a couple of more moderate Democrats, it seems hard to imagine that Democrats will fail to get 60 votes in the Senate on Saturday on a vote that will allow their health plans to move forward after Thanksgiving.

While Democrats will most likely be able to celebrate the clearing of another hurdle, some very significant problems are ahead of this legislation.

First, there are three Senators who are candidates to join a Republican filibuster of this bill, as Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) definitely wouldn't have written this bill.

Lincoln is getting the most focus right now on this first procedural vote, along with Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

But as I've said before, I don't know anyone in nooks and crannies of the Senate Press Galleries who really thinks that Landrieu is going to go against Sen. Democratic Leader Harry Reid right now.

Landrieu reminds us a lot of the Blue Dogs in the House - they bark a lot about certain issues, but they fold at the end when offered a few goodies.

(See page 463 for the two pages of mumbo-jumbo on disaster aid and Medicaid that only relates to Louisiana).

Mostly, this Saturday session is a chance for both sides to blow off steam, as both parties will alternate hours all day, making their speeches pro and con.

The real tough work will come after Thanksgiving, when the amendments start to fly.

Then we will see if Democrats really have 60 votes.

This is step one.