McConnell: Dems Proceed at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 22, 2009 11:15 AM CST
McConnell: Dems Proceed at 2010 Peril
In this Feb. 29, 2008 file photo, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, speaks.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)

The morning after Harry Reid scored his 60 votes, many a senator headed for the talk shows to expound on their views of the Senate health bill. A look around the Sunday dial:

  • There were 39 people unhappy with last night's outcome, and Mitch McConnell leads them, telling State of the Union that Dems proceed at their own 2010 peril. "The American people will be heard sooner, or they'll be heard later."
  • Ohio Dem Sherrod Brown said his four Dem comrades (Lieberman, Landrieu, Nelson, and Lincoln) who don't support a public option shouldn't rule the day, telling State of the Union, "I don’t think they want to be on the wrong side of history."

  • Nebraska Dem Ben Nelson said he wouldn't vote for the health bill as it stands, but it "can be amended. It can be improved. And the debate should begin and ought not to stop the opportunity to improve the bill."
  • He may have voted aye last night, but Joe Lieberman is not voting for a final bill containing a public option. "If the public option is still in there, the only resort we have is to say no," he told Meet the Press.
  • Facing reelection next year, Colorado Dem Mike Bennet told CNN he's willing to vote in favor of health reform even if it costs him his job.
(More Mitch McConnell stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X