By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri isn't going to let those darn Republicans attack him as a pro-health care kind of guy.

So Skelton has made it clearer than ever that he's going to oppose the Democratic reform measure.

Part of his statement on Wednesday:

At the end of the day, the American people should be able to look at this bill and say that Congress has done a good job. This legislation does not accomplish that goal…it does not represent the right balance for the people I represent and I do not intend to support it.

Skelton's against the public option for health insurance, too.

Gee, does this have anything to do with the fact that Republicans are salivating over the chance to knock out the long-term Democratic force in 2010?