Democratic senator: Public health insurance option dead

[keep_it_real]

A key Senate negotiator said Sunday that President Obama should drop his push for a government-funded public health insurance option because the Senate will never pass it.

Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota said it was futile to continue to "chase that rabbit" due to the lack of 60 Senate votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/16/us.healthcare/index.html

[firedupdem]

1. He can STFU- He doesn't determine what should be chased

and what shouldn't.

[boobooday]

2. Yeah, this guy seems to be making all the noise

I think I hate him! He has been the sole source for a dozen stories today about how the public option is dead.

Punk ass.

[Avalux]

3. Conrad is an asshole. I believe nothing he says.

He's saying this cause he's jealous Obama paid so much attention to Baucus and hasn't kissed his ass too.

[debbierlus]

4. The Senate has always been more problematic then the House -

Obama need to stand up and fight, and tell them he will NEVER stop pushing for reform that benefits the people.

[OHdem10]

5. Thank Conrad and Baucus for ending Medicare.

[Demoiselle]

6. This isn't actually news..

Conrad's been against the public option for weeks.
And as for the "rabbit"...They can do reconciliation bill with just 51 Senate votes. I am ready to quit the party.

[pansypoo53219]

7. killed by congress

AND THE GNEWS.
again big money winds. get Dean in the white house so he can have a chat w/ obama.

[stray cat]

8. Sounds like a DUer giving an opinion and should be given similar credibility

[emulatorloo]

9. I wouldn't believe Conrad even if his tongue came notarized. n/t

[quantass]

10. And Like CLOCKWORK the Democrats begin to cave ...

Remind me again who has the power? House majority, Senate majority, record vote count for presidency giving him a mandate, polls for democratic agendas get overwhelming support from the public and in the end the democrats cave because republicans say "NO". Interesting!

I know this is not over by a long shot but the clues are becoming more vast..such as Reid's assertion that he was not interested in a public option, Conrad with his direct approach to stop "chasing the rabbit", and a countless many others including Sebelius with her almost flat-out strong endorsement of ejecting the public option.

The president has power and like LBJ (sorry, i cant recall my American history) he needs to get forceful and start butting heads...but sadly it is becoming clear that Obama is not a person that likes to get dirty for the people...he likes to compromise and water things down for a common ground. I know he said he wants to do things in a bi-partisan way when he becomes president but i didnt think he meant that so literally even when republicans will only agree to bipartisan talks to water down a bill so much that it becomes worthless and then end up not casting a single vote for it so as to make the democrats look even worse....and time and time again the president will go back to that well hoping for something different :shrug:

How did Bush put it: "Fool me once.....shame on....shame on you(?).....fool me, you cant get fooled again!"
A wise line that democrats might want to start listening to.

[Cha]

11. Fuck kent conrad..he's not the President.

he's a fucking corporatewhore.