They've backed off on Cap and Trade because once they get their Health Care bill, they can pretty much do whatever they want. Lots of power in being able to control life and death.
I'm not sure if that is true because most of the Health Care Bill will not go into effect for quite a few years. Of course long term you are correct. Also of course we don't know what the final bill will be like so it is difficult to predict.
I would like to see them working on an energy policy that is realistic. This is really going to come back and bite us in the not to distant future.