Looks like there's no change in how politics have always been played when it comes down to the "vote". Some votes and methods just get more press than others.
At least Obama hasn't "outed" any CIA operatives to date, like some other administrations did. Now THAT was really playing hard ball.
Anyway, with the Health Care Reform bill(s) now stripped of their core value (public option, expansion of Medicare) I don't see what the big deal is with it anymore, anyway...