Health care rhetoric heats up before key vote

[DearAbby]

Washington (CNN) -- Traditional Senate decorum yielded to brass-knuckle politicking Friday in the health care debate as top Democrats sought to close party ranks before a key procedural vote this weekend.

Senate Democrats slammed their GOP colleagues as leaders of a counterproductive party of fear caught in an obstructionist mind-set dating back to the New Deal.

In turn, Republicans ripped Democrats for pushing a bill that conservatives say will force millions of Americans to drop insurance plans they like while jacking up premiums and doing nothing to slow spiraling medical costs.

The harsh rhetoric was backdrop for a rare Saturday night Senate vote on whether to proceed formally with floor debate on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's sweeping $848 billion health care bill.

If Republicans stay unified in opposition to the bill, Reid will need the support of all 58 Senate Democrats along with independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut to reach the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster.


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