Bernie Sanders Pledges to Hang Tough for Strong Public-Option

[babylonsister]

Bernie Sanders Pledges to Hang Tough for Strong Public-Option
Another Independent Could Be the Spoiler as Reid Moves Forward

by J. Taylor Rushing


With a pronounced independent streak to match his political alignment, Bernie Sanders of Vermont may be another headache for Democrats trying to cobble together 60 votes for healthcare reform in the coming weeks.

At a time when most attention is being paid to the Senate's other, more well-known Independent, Connecticut's Joe Lieberman, it is Sanders who could end up playing spoiler for Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). As Reid struggles to find 60 votes that will unite on procedural votes, his party's centrists are pulling the healthcare bill politically rightward while Sanders is staking out a far-left position.

Asked if he will support Democrats on procedural votes once the healthcare bill hits the Senate floor, Sanders was repeatedly noncommital, twice telling The Hill that he intends to push for a bill that includes a government-run, public-option insurance component and refusing to guarantee his support on cloture votes.

"All I'll say for now is that I want the strongest public option possible in the bill," Sanders said. "Beyond that, we're going to have to look at what develops."

Pressed further, Sanders's office also offered no guarantees.

"He is pleased that Sen. Reid has said that the bill will include a public option and he looks forward to seeing the detailed legislation," said a Sanders spokesman.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/09-3

[Truth2Tell]

1. Outstanding. K&R. nt

[valerief]

2. Go, Bernie, go!!!!

:applause:

[starroute]

3. A "far-left position"? Whoever wrote this is insane

The public option is a slightly right-of-center position. Single-payer is a solidly progressive position -- and still a good ways short of far left.

The far left has been demonized in this country for so long that these people wouldn't know it if bit them in the ass.

[mmonk]

4. Excellent.

[bobbolink]

5. I love this man!

:loveya: Bernie!

[HughMoran]

6. This is the appropriate repsonse to that living anus LIEberman

Lieberman will cave or he's going to down it flames.

[tigereye]

7. good for him!

[bigwillq]

8. Let's hope (nt)

[Nikki Stone1]

9. No small planes this month, Bernie.

Seriously.