Reid 'optimistic' about getting 60 votes on health bill

[WI_DEM]

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid scrambled Tuesday to lock down votes behind a health-care bill that he may present as early as Wednesday.

The Nevada Democrat would not confirm that he had received commitments from all 60 members of his caucus to overcome GOP procedural objections and bring the bill to the Senate floor, saying only, "I feel cautiously optimistic that we can do that. I think we're together as a caucus."

The leader was more outspoken in describing his measure, boasting to reporters: "Of all the bills we've seen, it'll be the best: saves more money, is more protective of Medicare, is a bill that's good for the American people."

Preliminary estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the legislation's official scorekeeper, have indicated that the Senate measure would cost far less than the bill the House approved last week, while lowering the federal deficit further over the long term, said several senior Democratic aides who have reviewed the CBO data.

Democrats are hopeful about winning over at least one Republican, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, on a vote for final passage. But the Maine moderate has pledged to support a GOP filibuster at the outset because Reid's bill is expected to include a public-insurance option that she opposes.

The parliamentary vote on bringing the bill to the floor could come as soon as Friday.

Democratic leaders have spent recent days wooing three party moderates who have declined to publicly commit to starting the Senate debate: Sens. Ben Nelson (Neb.), Mary Landrieu (La.) and Blanche Lincoln (Ark.).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/17/AR2009111703476_pf.html

[grantcart]

1. They must have one vote we don't know about

[WI_DEM]

2. They think they can still get Snowe.