Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


20

Only the President Can Save the Public Option

Reid, Obama will decide what gets voted on in the Senate

Share

(Newser) – Pretty soon, Barack Obama is going to have to step in and referee the fight over the public option. No matter what the squabbling Senate Finance Committee winds up agreeing on, it’ll be Obama, together with Harry Reid, who decides what the Senate ultimately votes on, and how that bill is combined with the House's plan. One rep tells Politico that Obama will act as a “cleanup hitter” for the public plan.

Much depends on whether Obama insists on getting 60 votes, or will settle for 51. It’s possible he could ask Democrats to vote to break the filibuster, then let them vote as they please on the actual bill. The Finance Committee “was the toughest terrain for us,” says Chuck Schumer. “It gets easier on the Senate floor, and it gets easier still in conference.”

President Barack Obama gestures while delivering remarks during a health care rally, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md.
President Barack Obama gestures while delivering remarks during a health care rally, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, at the University of Maryland in College Park, Md.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
Max Baucus, right, talks with Kent Conrad, left, as Jay Rockefeller sits in the middle during the markup of health care legislation, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, on Capitol Hill.
Max Baucus, right, talks with Kent Conrad, left, as Jay Rockefeller sits in the middle during the markup of health care legislation, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
20 comments
VIEWING:
 
Derni
Sep 30, 09 10:11 AM CDT
Perhapos the PEOPLE that oppose health care should read on ABC news online what their represenatitves in WA DC have-they pay $503 dollars a year -and what a great plan-so if you feel gulity asking Congress for a family plan-a public plan-whatever-read the story and then tell me how you feel-Screw Congress pass the plan and pay for it-the taxpayers are reimbursing the Navy some 3 million dollars for their yearly medical care...the American public .. so mislead Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+7
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Sep 30, 09 10:24 AM CDT
Link to said article: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/congress-health-care-clinic/story?id=8706655
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Reader65069154
Sep 30, 09 10:29 AM CDT
I'm sure there's a point here, but it's utterly incomprehensible.
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
hybrid
Sep 30, 09 10:54 AM CDT
so is that what you think health care will be like if the public option is passed. Do i hear an alarm clock.
Vote up! Vote down!
-1
IN RESPONSE:
SilenceDogood
Sep 30, 09 7:31 PM CDT
What is the cost of this plan to the American public annually, not the Dems numbers but the OMB's number, and does this cost include supposed savings from Medicare or another hypothetical savings?
Vote up! Vote down!
0

View all 20 comments »

LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

233 Stories

OPINION


 GOP Traffic-Jam Ploy 
 Is Snarling Senate 

Stalling tactics are making Democrats turn on each other

Nov 19, 09 9:43 AM CST
(Newser) - Senate Democrats are starting to turn on each other like angry drivers stuck in rush-hour traffic thanks to Republican obstructionism, writes EJ Dionne. Republican senators are eating every word they once said against filibusterism and are stalling even legislation that they support in a Machiavellian effort to keep the Democrats... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • Senate • Senate Democrats • Senate Republicans • legislation • filibuster • health care reform

 Reid Rolls Out 
 Senate Health 
 Bill for Sat. 
 Showdown 

Public option weaker than House's, abortion restriction less severe

Nov 19, 09 7:40 AM CST
(Newser) - Harry Reid rolled out the Senate’s combined health care reform bill last night, earning oohs and ahhs from fellow Democrats, particularly over the price tag, and setting the stage for a cloture vote Saturday. The bill would cost a svelte $849 billion over 10 years while reducing the deficit... More »

MORE ABOUT:
abortion • health insurance • Senate • Harry Reid • health care reform • public option • health insurance exchange • health care abortion

Obama, Dems Catch Flak From MSNBC

Left-leaning networks not afraid to hammer prez for moving right

Nov 16, 09 8:48 AM CST
(Newser) - Forget Fox News, Barack Obama is catching just as much grief from MSNBC, as the network’s liberal hosts hammer Democrats for drifting right. Rachel Maddow, for example, spent most of last week lambasting House Democrats over the anti-abortion Stupak amendment, calling it an “electoral defeat,” and contemplating... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • abortion • MSNBC • Keith Olbermann • health care reform • Rachel Maddow • left wing • Stupak-Pitts

233 Stories


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Barack Obama • filibuster • Senate Finance Committee • health care reform • public option

from our news partners