I've been around for five years, so I know that this place runs on outrage and freak outs are a frequent occurrence.
But seriously.
Everyone knew that the PO was NOT going to be a part of the Senate Finance Committee bill.
So stop freaking out. People need to keep their heads on straight because once this is in conference:
I don't know why anyone is surprised, ready to throw the whole party overboard or supremely frustrated specifically by today's vote on Rockefeller's or Schumer's public option amendments in one out of five committees. Everyone knew Conrad was a no vote, and as I and others said months ago, Carper and Lincoln were likely no votes. Everyone also knew that Baucus was going to vote no (though I still think that he'd vote yay on a bill that comes out of conference that has a public option). Everyone knew that the public option was not coming out of this committee back in July.
Yes, it would be better that all five committee bills have the public option but it's not the end of the world if only four do. The House bill (which was written based on Obama's campaign plan) will have the public option. The Senate version will likely not have the public option. (And an attempt in the Senate to add it via amendment will probably not be successful.)
After each bill passes the House and Senate, we go to conference. This is where the White House has the most say, and will be expected to twist arms and put on the pressure. (And of course, they will twist arms on the vote for the final bill.)
The most important thing right now is to get the damned bill out of the Senate Finance Committee.
No one is asking for complacency or anything like that. But perpetual, off-the-rails outrage (frequently fueled by misleading stories and diaries that have popped up more and more as the fight has intensified) is not helpful.
Now go contact your members of Congress.