http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/...
The Plum LineGreg Sargent's blog
Bernie Sanders: I’m Prepared To Introduce Public Option Amendment
The public option just might get its straight up-or-down vote after all.
Senator Bernie Sanders, in a brief interview in the Capitol just now [2 days ago: shpilk] confirmed to me that he’s willing to commit to introducing an amendment that would add the public option to the Senate bill’s reconciliation fix.
This is important, because as far fetched as this seems, if this amendment is introduced, a vote on it would be very hard for the Senate Dem leadership to block. The only thing that could stop it from happening, according to Senate expert Robert Dove, is for the parliamentarian to rule that it’s not germane to the Senate bill somehow — something that seems unlikely.
"I think somebody should do that, and I’d certainly be prepared to do that," Sanders told me when I asked him if he’d be willing to commit to introducing a public option amendment. This is, in effect, a commitment to introduce the amendment if no one else does.
I just don't understand: why are Democrats in the Senate so afraid to support something the public supported enthusiastically only a few months ago.
Dick Durbin, the number two Senate Dem, yesterday told reporters that this would create headaches and even conceded that the leadership might be forced to ask liberal Senators to vote against it to ensure smooth passage for the overall bill.
Why are Democratic leaders like Dick Durbin scared of TeaBaggers and Fox News? Grow a spine, you wimps! Vote for what is right, for chrissakes and stop worrying about what Limbaugh, Hannity and Beck will say.
It takes one Senator to do the right thing.
If Wellstone were here, I just know Paul would have done it.
Bernie Sanders is a national treasure.
Go Bernie .. Go!
send Bernie an encouraging note, I did
http://sanders.senate.gov/...
------------
P.S.
Remember the polls last spring, when some 60% of the public was in favor of the Public Option? Before 'pulling the plug on Grandma' and 'Death Panels' and 'Government takeover' become part of the narrative?
As late as October polls showed a clear public preference for some form of a public option.
-----------
update: 3:42 ET
Here's an update, which is remarkable, when taken in context.
I think I saw a posting about this yesterday.
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/...
dated yesterday morning ..
The Plum LineGreg Sargent's blog
Durbin’s Office: If House Passes Public Option, We’ll Whip For It In Senate
Okay, at a certain point talking about the public option seems akin to spending too much time in a rabbit’s warren: There are plenty of reasons to believe that it just isn’t going to happen this time around.
But this is nonetheless a very interesting development: Senator Dick Durbin’s office is now saying that if House Dems pass a public option as part of their reconciliation fix, he will whip for it in the Senate.
Durbin has been taking a bunch of heat from the left since he said the other day that if a public option amendment is inserted in the reconciliation fix, Senate Dem leaders may be forced to urge Dems to vote against it in order to ensure passage of the overall bill.
But Durbin’s spokesman, Joe Shoemaker, emails to clarify:
Sen. Durbin and the rest of the Senate Leadership will be aggressively whipping FOR the public option if it is included in the reconciliation bill the House sends over.
Here’s how the chronology would unfold: House passes Senate bill. It becomes law. House then initiates reconciliation fix, including public option. Senate leadership whips to pass reconciliation fix in Senate. Reconciliation fix — including public option — becomes law.