Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Libs to Obama: Fight for the Public Option

Reid wants the president to lean on 3 hold-out Dems

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 27, 2009 10:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – As Harry Reid labors to push through a health reform bill with a public option, albeit an opt-out one, liberals are getting more and more antsy for President Obama to step up and lead this effort. They complain that he’s being too passive in the debate, annoyed that as late as last week, in Obama’s sitdown with Senate Democrats, he was still expressing his preference for a public option—but not supporting any particular plan.

“Expressing a preference for the public option is not the same as fighting for” it, one activist complains to Politico. Harry Reid’s brain trust wants Obama to actively lean on the two or three conservative Democrats opposed to the opt-out public option he's pushing. But some frustrated Senate Democrats say Rahm Emanuel is still lobbying for the weaker trigger option. The White House blog says “rumors” of a rift between Reid and the administration are “absolutely false.” The trigger plan currently has 58-59 votes, while the opt-out plan has 56-57, aides say.

President Barack Obama arrives to speak at a Democratic fundraiser in Miami, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.
President Barack Obama arrives to speak at a Democratic fundraiser in Miami, Monday, Oct. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
odowd80
Oct 28, 2009 2:32 AM CDT
I can't believe that there are democrats that would join the Republican filibuster! If they do, it will be the first time in the history of the country that a senators have crossed party lines to filibuster. Why even call yourself a democrat then? What's the point in belonging to a party?
JoeQ
Oct 27, 2009 8:21 AM CDT
No Public Option = No Reform. If this gets passed without a public option, the result will be so toxic to the American people that it could be WORSE for the democrats than if it failed to pass entirely. I hope the democrats realize that. It is one time where they MUST stand firm against the lobbyists for big insurance and big pharma, or defeat the bills entirely.
RobN
Oct 27, 2009 6:57 AM CDT
So do what exactly? Elect congress on a national basis? There's a good chance you'd end up with virtually no minority members of congress; how does that better reflect America?

More Newser Stories

I Was Wrong: ObamaCare May Save Me

Pelosi: Inept Obama Team 'Anticipates Nothing'

Obama to Empty Congress: End FAA Shutdown

All Hope Lost for Debt Deal?

Reid: Senate Is Open Until Debt Deal Done


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne