The Blue Dog caucus, and their not so Republican-lite colleagues in the New Dems, seem to be splintering again over healthcare reform. You'll remember last month when they created their manifesto for a trigger on the public option, only to have a some prominent members in the group dissent, killing (for the time being, anyway, the trigger in the House).
It's happened again, in reaction to the New Dem leadership telling Pelosi last month that "many of our members remain concerned about any public option."
A band of 22 New Democrat and Blue Dog lawmakers say they support a "robust" government-run health plan, boosting chances of moving healthcare reform with a public insurance plan through the House.
Democratic centrists remain the biggest obstacle to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) ability to pass a healthcare bill with a public plan, and many conservative Democrats oppose a public option as unfair to private insurers.
But the letter from the 22 New Dems and Blue Dogs indicates opposition from this group is far from universal.
"We have a broader coalition to pass this than what was assumed before," said Rep. Lois Capps (Calif.), a New Democrat who circulated the letter supporting a public option with Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). "While we may belong to a more moderate branch, we want it known that we support the public option."
Now will these 22 stand with the 120 some member progressive coalition who've drawn a line in the sand against any proposal that does not include a public option? That's the key question. Right now, it's enough to have their support for a public option to counter the kneejerk opposition to anything remotely progressive from their leadership. It bolsters the chances for a public option significantly.