First Read is reporting the following:
We’re told that the White House and House Dem leaders are fewer than five votes away from 216, after Dennis Kucinich’s no-to-yes switch yesterday and pro-life Dem Dale Kildee saying that he’s ok with the Senate bill’s abortion language.
Additionally, Johnathan Chait opines:
I have always thought that the key is to get within four or five votes. Once you're there, you're very likely to win. Why? Because then the White House and Democratic leaders can concentrate all their attention on a few holdouts. And they can make an irresistible argument: If you don't vote for this bill, you will be responsible for the political and moral disaster that ensues. I just don't think anybody is willing to be the person who kills health care reform. They may hold back, they may want to see if the bill is going to die anyway, and they may want somebody else to go first. But when the finish line is in sight, they won't say no.
More below:
The blog-of-she-who-shall-not-be-named is tentatively reporting another no-to-yes flip: Suzanne Kosmas.
Suzanne Kosmas, a former No, sounds more and more like a Yes. She’s a key get for leadership. Baron Hill sounded like a Yes coming out of the caucus meeting, too. In fact, I’ll take him off the board.
(I hope I didn't miss that memo that linking to FDL is a bannable offense. David Dayen's whip count and commentary seem credible to me.)
Per TPM:
Things seem to be coming together today about as well as the Dems could have expected. They seem to be getting a number of the pro-life Dems to sign on. And Stupak seems to be conceding the vote though he'll personally still vote against. They got solid news from the CBO this morning and that's pulling a few of the Blue Dogs back into the fold. We're following every development in our TPM auto-updating Countdown to Reform Wire.
The fact that Stupak is voting 'no' despite his concessions may actually be a really good sign. It may be a sign that he is free to vote his 'conscience'.
My conscience is telling me that no matter what happens, I'm grateful to be at the precipice of history and for the courage that has gotten us to this point. Thank you President Obama for your epic leadership. This is change I can believe in wholeheartedly.
My gut is also telling me not count any chickens before they hatch. I emailed Ellsworth today. I'm nowhere near his district, but he's on the fence and reports suggest he's encouraged by the CBO numbers.
Let's not take anything for granted.
Keep calling.
Keep emailing.
Keep your fingers crossed.