At issue were funding restrictions on abortion services that the House approved Saturday night as part of the health bill, a move that attracted a number of pro-life Democrats, and insured approval of the measure.

In other words, if not for the deal that allowed a vote on that amendment from Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), the health care bill would not have had enough votes for passage in the House.

So it must have been a bit of a shock to some when President Obama sat down with ABC News' Jake Tapper and made clear that the abortion language would not stay in the bill.

"This is a health care bill, not an abortion bill," Mr. Obama said bluntly.

Just a few hours earlier, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had simply refused to answer questions at a briefing about how the President viewed the abortion language, which basically prevents any federal money involved in the health reform effort from being used for abortion or abortion related services.

"What's his position on abortion funding restrictions?" asked Chip Reid of CBS.

"I think you heard the President in front of Congress several months ago, and we'll continue to make progress," Gibbs replied in an Executive Branch Non-Sequitur.

While the White House was giving the thumbs down to the funding restrictions on abortion in the health bill, Senators in both parties were signaling that they would try to duplicate the provision in the Senate's plan.

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) - who has already raised red flags about the overall direction of his party's health bill - let it be known that if the abortion language was kept out of the Senate health bill, then he would be voting no.

It's too bad the House is not in session this week, because it would be great to run over to the offices of those Democrats who held out for the Stupak abortion language, and ask them now, so do you still wish that you had voted yes?

Hard fought negotiations. Victory on the House floor that is sealed by your support.

You get the thanks of the Democratic leadership and the White House.

Not even 48 hours later, the President throws you under the bus.

Priceless.