TPM: Does Harry Reid Prefer Co-ops Over the Public Option?

[RamboLiberal]

During a tele-townhall with constituents today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he supports a public option...but then he added an extremely important caveat. Reid said he doesn't think the public option ought to be a government run program like Medicare, but instead favors a "private entity that has direction from the federal government so people that don't fall within the parameters of being able to get insurance from their employers, they would have a place to go. "

That sounds suspiciously like Reid would prefer a so-called co-op system, which almost all reformers regard with suspicion, and many regard as a non-starter. Reid is ultimately more than just one vote, too. If the Senate passes a health care bill through the regular legislative process, he'll be the one marrying two different pieces of legislation: one which creates a public option, and one which creates co-ops. Likewise, if the Senate passes health care reforms on a partisan basis through the so-called reconciliation process, his office would take the lead in determining whether to try an include a public option in the reconciliation bill.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/does-harry-reid-want-co-ops-over-the-public-option.php

[yourout]

1. Only if he doesn't want to get re-elected,

[The Magistrate]

2. Reid Will Fail Of Re-Election, Ma'am, In Any Case: He Might as Well Go Out In Glory Doing Right

We must make sure our next Majority Leader hales from a solid state and answers to a liberal constituency.

The time of these non-entities from empty, windy places populated by troglodytes must be at an end....