Liberals seeing cracks in centrist skepticism of public option

[babylonsister]

Liberals seeing cracks in centrist skepticism of public option
By Jeffrey Young - 10/31/09 11:22 PM ET


Liberals see cracks in the barrier of opposition to the public option that could allow both camps to break through and come together.

Centrist Democratic senators such as Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Mary Landrieu (La.), along with independent Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), have steadfastly maintained they cannot support the creation of a government-run, government-financed health insurance program.

Although these senators and a few others have withheld their support for the public option compromise embraced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), liberals see an opportunity lurking.

Though public option supporters have not secured commitments from the 60 senators they need to even begin debating the healthcare reform bill on the Senate floor, they are just a few votes shy and believe their reticent colleagues can be brought around with reassurances that the proposal on the table already meets their demands.

“I’ve spent a lot of time talking to the moderate members about what a level-playing field public option is and I think as they learn about it, they become more and more relieved,” said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a prominent supporter of the public option.

more...
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/65739-liberals-see-cracks-in-centrist-skepticism-of-public-option

[Roland99]

1. Well, Schumer, tell the "blue dogs" that we'll continue to NOT donate to their campaigns

if they don't start putting PEOPLE before CORPORATIONS!

[madrchsod]

2. it`s to bad we don`t have a lbj and mike mansfield in the whitehouse and senate

it took --11 months--from the signing of the bill till the first payment was sent.
it`s a shame because by this time next year we would be enrolled in medicare and the healthcare providers would be receiving payments.

the neo-healthcare reform that is being debated is nothing more than a blueprint for failure. the republicans will start chipping away at what ever reform there is when they regain control of the government. we have seen have done and wish to do to medicare during the dark age of mad king george.

my main concern is that it will take years before any of these "new plans" will take effect.every two years gives the republicans and democrats the ability to kill what ever reform was passed into law.

[Oregone]

3. "about what a level-playing field public option is ... they become more and more relieved"

Perfect statement to sum up this reform. Are the people more relieved now they know it wont compete with private insurers and keep them honest