Greg Sargent responds to Jane Hamsher's call for Rep. Lynn Woolsey to resign as co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Hamsher's call came after Woolsey told Sargent she'd vote for the Senate bill, if it has a good reconciliation fix.
Sargent:
I want to clarify one point I should have made the other day: Woolsey also told me she’d introduce a bill creating a public option on the same day as voting for the Senate measure.
Let's hope it comes to the floor. Up-or-down vote, and we'll see what happens.
I lived in Rep. Woolsey's district for many years. I've spoken with her on more than one occasion, and she is as blunt and honest and direct as any federal official I've ever met. It saddened me to move out of her district because even though I still live in a Democratic district, I doubt I'll ever have a better Congressional representative.
In all the years I lived in her district, I never once had reason to question Lynn Woolsey's motives or her integrity. Emotions are running high, in the health care debate, and some good people are making bad mistakes, but Lynn Woolsey is one of the good ones. She's on our side. The people's side.
It goes without saying that some have pushed for a public option in every possible way. Others haven't. We know who has fought for it and who hasn't. Despite those working so hard to kill it, Lynn Woolsey will be fighting for the public option, right up to the end.
Up-or-down. On the record. Let's count the votes.