Aside from the importance of the public option itself, I think it's important for the progressive caucus in the House to demonstrate, finally, that they will at times exercise their power and block legislation in order to extract a few demands. It doesn't look like we're going to get much good legislation otherwise, and if they can't get concessions on health care what can they get them on?
As for holding your nose and hoping it gets better later... things don't seem to work that way.
