The Senate officially started a debate on major health care changes on Monday, as Democrats kicked off what they hope will be fast action in coming weeks, even though major hurdles remain in the path of this bill.

It didn't get off to a good start.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came to the Senate floor and talked about how important the debate was, in what seemed like a generic and somewhat boring opening statement.

Then suddenly, he pulled out a few papers and started reading.

"I NOW ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT ALL AMENDMENTS TO THE PENDING BILL BE CONSIDERED OUT OF ORDER UNLESS THEY'RE CONSISTENT WITH THE FOLLOWING TWO PRINCIPLES: THE ADDITIONAL SURPLUSES IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND GENERATED BY THIS ACT SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND NOT SPENT IN THIS ACT IN ANY OTHER FASHION,; AND, NUMBER TWO, THE NET SAVINGS GENERATED BY THE CLASS PROGRAM SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR THE CLASS PROGRAM AND NOT SPENT BY ANY OTHER MANNER IN THIS ACT."

It was a classic kind of move designed to put your opponent on the defensive, and to score a few political points.

A frustrated Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) was forced to object, grumbling about how he had just been given the proposal "a minute and a half ago".

So, Reid moved on to Round 2.

"I ASK UNANIMOUS CONSENT THAT NO AMENDMENT BE IN ORDER TO THE REID SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT NUMBER 2786 AND THE SUBSEQUENT SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT H.R. 3590 UNLESS THE TEXT OR INTERNET LINK TO THE TEXT OF THE AMENDMENT AS PROPOSED ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE OFFICIAL SENATE WEB SITE OF THE MEMBER OF THE SENATE WHO IS SPONSORING THE AMENDMENT PRIOR TO THE AMENDMENT BEING CALLED FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE AND THAT THE AMENDMENT IS FILED AT THE DESK. FURTHER, THIS UNANIMOUS CONSENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONSIDERATION OF HR 3590."

This one was a variation on the recent GOP calls for all legislation to be available 72 hours before a vote in the House and Senate.  If it was good enough for that, then why not amendments as well?

Enzi objected again, and made clear he didn't think much of Reid's opening parry.

"I'm a little upset at what just happened here," the Wyoming Republican said to the Majority Leader.

Democrats quickly sent out a press release blasting Republicans for objecting and being the "Party of No" and criticizing Republican "stalling" tactics, as they sought to play hardball on day one of the debate.

I would expect Republicans to retaliate with their own unanimous consent requests to hit back at the Democrats in a variety of ways.

What you've just read is complete Inside Baseball about the Senate, but it's important, because it sets the tone for where we are going.

In other words, this is going to be an all out fight.