Sen. Brown: Centrists should not 'dictate' future of public option

[jefferson_dem]

Sen. Brown: Centrists should not 'dictate' future of public option
By Jordan Fabian - 11/22/09 09:50 AM ET

Liberal Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said Sunday morning that a small group of centrist Senate Democrats should not "dictate" the form of the public option during the debate over healthcare reform.

Brown, a supporter of a strong public option, said that liberals in the caucus should not cater to centrists on the government-run, public healthcare option even though their votes might be needed to invoke final cloture on the bill, a measure that requires the support of 60 senators.

"In the end, I don't want four Democratic senators dictating to the other 56 of us and to the country, when the public option

has this much support, that it is not going to be in it," Brown said on CNN's "State of the Union" the morning after the Senate moved forward on its first procedural motion on the bill. "They will have their chance to in the amendment process."

Brown's words come as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Saturday night said he is open to negotiations with a group of centrists, which include Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), on a public option compromise, but continued to stand behind the his version of the plan, which would allow states to opt out.

<SNIP>

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/69027-sen-brown-centrists-should-not-dictate-future-of-public-option

[joeybee12]

1. For Phucks Sake! When these 4 are outside the mainstream, how are the centrists?

And how is Max Baucus a moderate?

[CitizenLeft]

2. good for him

That's my senator. Proud of him!

[liberal N proud]

3. Someone has to stand up to this weak leadership in the Senate

[sallyseven]

4. He got the 60 votes

That is now weak. Shut up you bunch of nay sayers.

[SpartanDem]

5. Amen

why can't these assholes take one for the team for a change?

[polichick]

6. I'm always glad to hear what Senator Brown has to say. He's SANE! nt