Democrat Martha Coakley's struggle to stave off a defeat in a special Senate election in Massachusetts marks a critical point in the debate about healthcare reform, the Washington Post reports. Regardless of the outcome, the Democrats and Rebublicans appear headed toward a clash over the issue in the coming midterm elections. A victory by state Sen. Scott Brown would give Republicans 41 votes in the Senate and further embolden them to challenge healthcare reform. And Democrats could face an internal battle over how or even whether to proceed with the legislation, the Post reports.
