While most angst on the American left is focused on thepossibility that Donald Trump will be the nextpresident, there is also debate among Democrats over what directionthe party should take if Hillary Clinton is elected.

One of the best demonstrations of the intraparty conflict is thedebate over health care.

Many liberals who were frustrated with a health care reform thatlargely kept the insurance-driven system intact have beenemboldened by Bernie Sanders’s strongperformance in the primaries, during which he repeatedly called forthe establishment of a single-payer health caresystem. In response to the pressure from Sanders onthe issue, Clinton unveiled a number of health policies aimed atcourting progressives, most prominently a pledge to work for a“public option” insurance program.

Following the lead of their party’s standard bearer, 33 SenateDemocrats are co-sponsoring a resolution in support of a publicoption. A number of moderate Democrats, however, have not signaledtheir support, most conspicuously Tim Kaine, Clinton’s vicepresidential candidate.

A Kaine spokesperson told Politico that Kaine is in support of a“workable public option,” despite the senator’s silence on theresolution.

Meanwhile, other moderates who have avoided the resolution areechoing the types of statements Clinton made early during herpresidential campaign, when she emphasized protecting andstrengthening the Affordable Care Act.

A public option was originally part of the ACA floated by thepresident in 2009, but it was ultimately scrapped as a result ofopposition from some moderate Democrats.

The current debate over the public option, however, is largelyacademic. Republicans will almost surely retain control of theHouse of Representatives after the election and are likely to stayin control of the Senate. Even if Clinton wins the White House, itis highly unlikely she will be able to push through any significanthealth care reforms, let a lone a public option that Republicansdetest on principle.