It is a curious phenomena. The Republican Party, already in the minority, frantically fleeing the center of the political spectrum to huddle at it's outermost fringe. Soundly trounced at the polls, it's ideology discredited by repeated failure, Republicans hope to regroup by building on the passions of the angriest among them; facts be damned. Few if any Republican office holders dare oppose that angry will.

And then there are the Democrats, a party that has surged in the last two national elections in large part by tapping into growing left of center activist anger and money, fueled by well documented right wing abuses of power, arrogant and misguided international adventurism, and complete mismanagement of the economy. Now, embroiled in a full scale political battle on the core issue of the Obama Administration, the Democratic activist base has become increasingly alarmed at the prospect of Democratic office holders retreating from the bare minimum of a compromise on health care that activists can accept; a real "public option".

The warning signals could not be louder, the signals could not be clearer. Disappoint their base on health care reform and at minimum the Democratic Party risk sucking dry the passion that has helped propel them to national and regional victories. At worst Democrats risk full scale opposition and defections from their ranks.

Both Republicans and Democrats are playing with fire, activist fire. But they could not be playing differently.