Many of us will know only too well the famous excerpt from JM Barrie’s Peter Pan as Peter calls on those in attendance to help save the fading Tinkerbell

“‘If you believe, clap your hands; don’t let Tink die’ (cries Peter). Many clapped. Some didn’t. A few beasts hissed”

Julian Glover, writing in October’s excellent edition of Prospect Magazine, uses this extract from the novel in writing about David Cameron and his battle for the hearts and minds of both the British people and his own (still sceptical in parts) Conservative party.

But it seems to me that this is perhaps a more fitting analogy for what is playing out in Washington DC and more specifically in the administration of President Barack Obama.

One senses that the next two months could be absolutely pivotal for the much hoped, longed and vaunted Obama Administration. With the beasts of the Republican Party (and even a few of his own Democratic Party) threatening to hiss the historical Healthcare Reform Bill out of existence (an almost clean sweep of the Democratic Senate vote will be needed to pass the Bill into law) and the pressure mounting on troop deployment on Afghanistan these are crucial moments. Much is at stake – not just the welfare of millions of Americans who might look forward to an improved Heathcare system or the US troops in and peoples of Afghanistan. For if Healthcare Reform is not delivered then questions will start to be asked about what can expected of the President’s first term as the Republican Party smells blood.

Suddenly proposed reforms on Green Energy and The Environment  will start to look as insurmountable as Healthcare and a year will have gone and much emotional energy expended on both sides of the house. No question Afghanistan will continue to play out badly (however the President decides to respond to requests for more troop deployments) and with jobless figures continuing to grow it could start to look like a cruel lesson for all of us re the power of hope.  Bill Clintonsenses the importance of the moment – urging the Democratic representatives on the Hill to get Healthcare Reform through whatever it takes.

Many of us continue to clap (and occassionally stamp our feet) but the beasts are most definately hissing and if anything  it seems to be growing louder.