Stupak's arithmetic

Stupak claims he's got 40 Dems behind his amendment... and that if the final bill doesn't include this hateful anti-abortion provision, they'll all vote agin' it.

So what?

Here's my arithmetic.
435 = total House membership.
258 = Dem members.
Simple majority = 218.

Let's give Stupak his 40 (doubtful).
258 - 40 = 218.

Yep - even if Stupak has his 40 votes, and the rest of the Dems are loyal, a bill without his hateful amendment passes the House.