Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-AR, has finally taken a clear stand - on the wrong side.
"For some in my caucus, when they talk about a public option they’re talking about another entitlement program, and we can’t afford that right now as a nation...I’m not going to vote for a bill that’s not deficit-neutral, and I’m not going to vote for a bill that doesn’t do something about curbing the cost in the out years, because it would be pointless ... I would not support a solely government-funded public option. We can’t afford that."
Of course, the public option isn't government-funded - it's to be paid for by premiums. The CBO has scored versions of the bill with the public option as costing less than those without it.
I don't know whether Lincoln is being dishonest, or is leaving herself a little wiggle room to sound moderate and still support the real public option later. It doesn't matter. She's up for re-election in 2010 and needs to feel a little heat.
Contact her here.