It didn't take long for Democrats to accuse Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee of trying to use dilatory tactics to slow down committee action on health care reform legislation.

"There is a substantial slow walk taking place," said Sen. Jay Rockefeller, using the Congressional term for delay to characterize a blizzard of Republican amendments on health reform.

Democrats had talked about finishing Finance Committee work on this bill by Friday (as in tomorrow), but frankly, it might be a Friday in October if we keep up this slow-speed pace of the first two days.

That's not to point the finger at anyone - the slow going should be totally expected.

Back in June and July, the Senate Health Committee worked for almost four weeks on a health reform bill - and that was before the August Town Hall protests had really intensified interest in this effort.

In that committee, Democrats had also talked about fast action, but in the end, they shied away from jamming the bill through on the GOP. 

We'll see whether they start losing their patience next week or not, because Republicans certainly aren't in any hurry to get this work done.

Democrats still seem intent on getting a bill on the floor of the House and Senate soon - I can see that happening in the Senate before the House, because the Senate debate will likely last a few weeks.

Meanwhile, a group of moderate Democrats are again flexing their muscles in the Senate, urging their leaders not to go the route of budget "reconciliation", which would allow streamlined procedures and no filibuster.

They can certainly throw their weight around like the Blue Dogs - if they really want to.

Time will tell.