Reid Will Push For Public Option Through Reconciliation

[cal04]

Source: Huffington Post

Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced on Friday afternoon that he would work with other Democrats and the White House to pass a public option through reconciliation if that's the legislative path the party chooses.

"Senator Reid has always and continues to support the public option as a way to drive down costs and create competition," said Reid aide Rodell Mollineau in a statement provided to the Huffington Post. "That is why he included the measure in his original health care proposal. If a decision is made to use reconciliation to advance health care, Senator Reid will work with the White House, the House, and members of his caucus in an effort to craft a public option that can overcome procedural obstacles and secure enough votes."

This represents a major breakthrough for those Senators and activists who are pushing to get a public option considered via an up or down vote.

Reid has always been a proponent of the provision. But he has deflected questions about using reconciliation to get it into law citing a potential lack of votes needed for passage.



Reid Open To Reconciliation On Public Option
http://cbs4.com/local/harry.reid.public.2.1506620.html

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/19/reid-will-push-for-public_n_469483.html

---

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/breaking-reid-signals-support-for-reconciliation-vote-on-public-option/

[goodboy]

1. "If a decision is made to use reconciliation to advance health care"

That's a big fucking "IF" IMO.

[joeybee12]

3. Yeah, that IF stuck out for me, too...n/t

[daleanime]

23. Yeah, it does stick out....

but another tiny step forward, when we've been left for dead so many times.

[ooglymoogly]

94. And if that "If" is not sufficient, the further fall back is

"will work to craft", "that will pass"; One could craft just about any pile of rubbish and call it a "Public Option" as they have, several times, in the past when "public option" became a threat of becoming reality in the past.

[no limit]

39. Hey, atleast its something. The public option lives

[defendandprotect]

48. This is our country and we're begging for crumbs from corporations -- !!!

[Krashkopf]

76. A decision made by WHO? You're the F'in Majority Leader, Harry . . .

LEAD already!

[AlbertCat]

87. A decision made by WHO?

By WHOM. by WHOM.

And, it's a win/win for Dems so do it already! And make it start immediately.

[laughingliberal]

89. For him, I think the determining factor will be if he finds he has 50 votes for it

I am convinced he is in favor or trying to get this done. I know he was very much in favor of having a public option and made 2 different attempts at some type of public option in the Senate bill. Speaking of leading, whose CofS showed up on a Sunday night and ordered Reid to give Lieberman what he wanted when Reid was still inclined to fight him?

[NorthCarolina]

83. I think what he is saying there is that HE (Harry Reid) will NOT be making that decision. nt

[Eric J in MN]

2. Reid's spokesman is saying that if reconciliation is used at all for Health Care Reform,

...then there will be a public option vote, but it's possible that reconciliation won't be used at all for Health Care Reform.

[kestrel91316]

4. "Push"?? That's rich. Reid hasn't "pushed" since he boxed Golden Gloves.

He's always on the receiving end of pushing and appears happy with the situation as it is.

[laughingliberal]

90. I believe he pushed for the public option in the Senate bill

He included one PO in the blended bill he wrote and then tried for a Medicare expansion. Let's take a second to remember who ordered him to give Lieberman what he wanted.

[Donnachaidh]

5. So which one is playing the part of Lucy this week?

Harry or Obama?

RESULTS. Anything less and it's bullshit. Shit or get off the pot Harry.

[No Elephants]

38. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winnah!

[CalGator]

44. this made me LOL

Too true. Reid needs to actually... I dunno.... DO SOMETHING this time while he still has a majority (or at least his own Senate seat) to do something with.

[FourScore]

6. K&R

[David Zephyr]

7. This had better not be a cynical trick to temporarily appease the Left.

The Democrats in Congress know they are in trouble in November and have learned a lesson that all the corporate compromising for money in the world will not replace the shoe leather that the activist base provides them at election time. Remember Massachusetts.

It would cost the Democrats nothing, now after a year of ass kissing the insurance corporations to sign on to an "attempt" to bring the Public Option back and to "appear" as if they really supported it when they really have no intention of making it happen. They fool the Left by looking like they weren't the corporate compromisers we all saw last year and they still leave the nation beholden to the insurance cartel.

If, on the other hand, they are not just suddenly playing politics and really push this through, then they will have my respect...but not before.

None other than our own IndianaGreen brought this up in one of her posts and I want to give her the credit. Before we get our pompoms out, we need to be sure we are not being played for fools.

[Mithreal]

9. +1

[Qutzupalotl]

10. If it were a trick, I don't think it would work.

We would get strung along for what -- maybe a month or two? Then we'll know whether they will pursue reconciliation, well in advance of elections in the fall. A double-cross this year, especially with all this trumpeting of a PO lately, would backfire so badly that I doubt they'd ever attempt it. It's bad enough that congress is seen as having squandered last year on a badly compromised plan with no PO; but to hint at a PO now through reconciliation and then not deliver... that's suicide.

Success, on the other hand, could drastically turn the tide this fall. They know this.

Call me naive, but I think this is a trial balloon, and seems to be being well-received. I think that means they'll go for it. Whether they can reach 51 votes in the Senate is another matter.

[flyarm]

12. see this thread by KPETE...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7751609

[CountAllVotes]

21. boy ...

thanks for the link. This angers me. Yes, it does!

:kick:

[Mithreal]

13. I like the idea of trial balloon, however, don't discount the power

of manipulating public sentiment even for short periods. Sometimes even a temporary respite from the public heat is considered a value all in itself. If the relief comes from issuing a few words, all the better and for such little effort.

The Dem Leadership has seriously miscalculated and I believe they will continue to do so. Harry Reid and President Obama need, maybe even want, to feel our heat now, not later.

[Hawaii Hiker]

24. Democrats NEED to pass good HCR for the fall elections

While the economy is taking baby steps towards improvement, i don't think its going to improve (by the fall) enough to help Democrats...

However, if they can pass a GOOD HCR bill that includes public option, i truly believe they will do just fine in November....The politics will take care of itself if Democrats get a handle on the governing aspect...

And reocnciliation only needs 50 votes plus Joe Biden (President of the Senate)

[No Elephants]

43. At any given time, Reid knows exactly where his votes are and therefore so does the WH and probably

so does most of the Democratic caucus. So, this is either momentum or Joementum. In either case, we'll know soon enough. Meanwhile, I'm not starting the music for the happy dance yet,.

After being strung along all last year with "news" like this, I don't know I would take anything but a vote seriously.

[laughingliberal]

91. Saw an article a couple of days ago which said the estimate is there are 45 votes for the PO

in the Senate right now. That means there are 14 not on board. It would be good to know who they are.

[flyarm]

11. You,David Zephyr and IndianaGreen could not be more correct!! Thank you! eom

[polichick]

19. Agreed - I'll have to see it to believe it. Until then, I'll assume they're...

...guarding their left flank.

[icee]

22. That's exactly what it is.

[No Elephants]

46. +1. "We tried all year and into the next. You saw us. We tried and tried. It simply could NOT be

done."

I hope I never hear that.

[bread_and_roses]

57. +2 - and let's see a public option that IS an OPTION

- not limited to some pre-selected pool of people the insurance cos don't want anyway. And let's see it run by the Feds, not by some insurance co skimming money and calling themselves a "not for profit."

If the Ds do that I'll happily give them credit - credit at least for knowing their asses are on the line and the public is sick of the do-nothing whining they try to use to fool us into thinking they are helpless before forces not in their control and not deep in the pockets of mega-Corp big bucks. While most people are way too crushed by the ridiculous hours at ridiculously low pay that most Americans work to pay close attention, they know they are mad as hell - and an incumbent majority is likely to take the brunt of that anger if they don't do something that benefits Main St.

There is not one of these shills calling themselves "Representatives" that does not know that single-payer is the way to preserve both the health and "wealth" of the nation...however, I'll gladly take my scraps if they at least come through with a real public option.

[Stuart G]

8. Very important...nt

[bvar22]

14. They had better be scared.

* Would you favor or oppose the national government offering everyone the choice of a government administered health insurance plan — something like the Medicare coverage that people 65 and older get — that would compete with private health insurance plans?

Favor 82%

Oppose 14%

Not Sure 4%
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010010320/poll-shouts-message-massachusetts-voters-were-sending

A Public Option in name only will NOT fool anybody,
but a REAL "Public Option like Medicare available to anyone who wants it",
avbailable in 2011 (before the election),
and no bullshit Taxes on the Working Class.
Pay for it by raising taxes on the top 2%.
Obama "campaigned on that",
and America voted FOR that.

To the Democratic Party:
GO BIG,
or Go Home.

"When given the choice between a Republican, and a Democrat who acts like a Republican, the voters will choose the Republican every time." ---Harry Truman

QED Massachusetts

[Mithreal]

33. Well said. To the Democratic Party: GO BIG, or Go Home.

:applause:

[defendandprotect]

54. Basically, the PO was a compromise ...we should be pushing for MEDICARE FOR ALL--

[Arkana]

15. Yeah, but something tells me he's not going to push it.

[Skink]

16. watch the dems vote it down in reconciliation.

[valerief]

17. Git 'er done! (Is that how it's said?) nt

[polichick]

18. Yep - at least that's how Big Ed says it. nt

[indypaul]

20. Talkin' ain't doin' n/t

[Guilded Lilly]

25. Don't IF us. Do it. (n/t)

[SirRevolutionary]

26. Reid has trouble pushing a BM

without a little Dulcolax.

[El Supremo]

27. +10

[laughingliberal]

92. I wonder why Harry is taking all the heat for the lack of a public option when the WH

ordered him to cave to Lieberman? Scapegoating, if you ask me.

[Faygo Kid]

28. All kidding aside, get it done. Enough with the obstructionists.

We need this done, and done now.

[SlingBlade]

29. "With other Democrats and the White House", Translated ..

With democrats OTHER THAN the 16 who signed that letter AND the White House (Rham) whose
health care bill has already been written by the Health Care Industry

(Reconciliation)A corporate Democrat is a hellava thing to waste !

[Joe the Liberal]

30. I'll believe it when I see it. n/t

[lefttruebrit]

37. Another carrot and stick tactic?

I'm with Joe on this......

I'll believe it once it becomes law!:eyes:

[Jefferson23]

31. If they don't pull this off with some major strength, they are fucked in November.

Robust public option and they better repeal the anti-trust exemption.

[Little Star]

32. k&r

[Autonomy]

34. I can't imagine that they would want to taunt the Dem base

with rumors of a PO reconciliation were they not willing to go forward with it. It seems more likely that the slow leak of information is a warning shot to Republicans. It would make no sense to get our hopes up only to dash them. I think they're getting ready to do this.

[defendandprotect]

40. It seems to be more about keeping the base from unifying and looking

for other options --

How many times this year have Reid/Pelosi and Obama "dashed your hopes"?

I don't think they're sensitive to the feelings of democrats, they're sensistive

to what makes their own lives difficult --

and that would be MASS this last election --

and that would also be any movement by the base to move on --

[deacon]

35. GET IT DONE dammit. n/t

[defendandprotect]

36. I'll believe it IF and WHEN I see it . . . Reid being a long time ...

betrayer of liberal/progressive values -- which is what the "Democratic Party"

used to be about --

if anyone still recalls?

[FailureToCommunicate]

41. "AAUGH"! -intermittent optimists. (Call your Senator yet?)

[eagertolearn]

42. I'm beginning to think that this is a plan to get the republicans to vote for a watered down bill.

this thought depresses me. We have to have at least a public option to help keep the costs down. I just hope the repugs hold their ground and refuse to negotiate so we have to use reconciliation!

[Dinger]

45. What's Wih This "If" Shit?

Pffft.

[harun]

49. He's the damn majority leader of the Senate, he is the "if".

[Dinger]

82. I Like The Word "When" A Lot Better (nt)

[DailyGrind51]

47. I'll believe it when it actually happens!

[niceypoo]

53. Yep

Announcements like this from Reid are usually followed up by, 'we dont have the votes.'

Sorry but I have no faith in the Democrats to deliver.

[rhiannon55]

50. On a side note...

Why won't Democrats say they support the public option because people without health care NEED it? Saying they support the public option "as a way to drive down costs and create competition" sounds so...republican.

What's wrong with the people in the "people's party" who won't say they want to help people?

[No Elephants]

52. If they pass a good public option, I don't care if they describe it as part of national defense.

And if they don't pass a good public option, I don't care if they describe the bill as humanitarian relief.

As Shakespeare asked, "What's in a name?"

I have a similar reaction to re-naming our Iraq invasion and occupation "New Dawn" (except, of course, I think Proctor and Gamble owes the U.S. Treasury some money for a product placement of that magnitude).

[rhiannon55]

56. You're right

but it still bugs me. I hate how out of vogue altruism has become. Everything has to be about money.

[Joe Chi Minh]

51. It's really weird that, here you have a country which prides itself on being the home of

free market competitiveness, and yet in a matter of such paramount public interest, both in terms of the citizens' health and survival, AND of obtaining the BEST PRICE yet STILL, the absolute, not relative, BEST VALUE; and the party of the people, the Democratic Party, has, to say the least, equivocated for so long, at this perilous economic juncture, about pushing the public option through. Amazing.

[defendandprotect]

55. Evidently, Arlen Specter just signed on for PO ....both my NJ Senators also did ...

So now we have a Republican for PO but the White House not pushing it?

[FailureToCommunicate]

63. Umm, where's the Republican?

[defendandprotect]

64. Specter . . .

Or do you fully accept him as a "Dem" now?

Specter is also still helping to keep the cover up on JFK coup going --

[activa8tr]

58. Reid will do nothing of the sort, he could have done this a year ago,

he's just dancing!

IMO

[ramapo]

59. Better not jerk me around again

This better be it. These SOBs better get something done now...and if it works out we will have Scott Brown to thank!

[JDPriestly]

60. Good news. This is not about wild-eyed leftists or even liberals.

The majority of Americans wants a public option. We should at least try it out and see how it works. There is no harm in that.

Even if people decide they want to end the public option, it cannot do nearly the harm that No Child Left Behind has done to our children.

And I am absolutely certain that the public option will be a success unless it is just too weak or somehow sabotaged into failure.

Even if it only attracts people who have pre-existing conditions or are next to impossible to insure, it will reduce the cost of their healthcare and thus, help to balance the budget.

[Kyril Enko]

61. "If HE does, I will."

"And if he does, I will!"

Is it just me, or are you too getting that "fucked up the ass" feeling? Again?

[Shining Jack]

62. Meh...

All this is only cheap talk again.I'll believe it when I see it.

[yurbud]

65. K & R: odd wording like Obama's through Sebelius

[lefttruebrit]

66. Reid better deliver on this....

Otherwise he is toast in NV.

And he knows it.

Another corporate whore until the chips are down to save his own political skin. Why on earth do we elect these same officials time after time just to deliver the same political spin year after year is beyond me.

[Lint Head]

67. I do not see it happening. Congress is so cowardly, so afraid, to

do the right thing because not making waves and kissing corporate ass is the way things are done in DC.

If you ain't making waves you ain't swimming.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

68. Don't stop calling, folks! Work especially on the conservaDems. I call them all today...

Staff members seemed excited...


www.senate.gov

[laughingliberal]

95. That's the key

Harry is not inclined to be handed a big embarrassment on the floor of the Senate. If he has 50 votes, it will happen. Last I saw he estimates he has 45 in favor of the PO by reconciliation. I think we need to know who the 14 opposed are and start calling them out. And I don't care if Rahm does think it's 'fucking retarded.' That is what needs to happen, here.

[W_HAMILTON]

69. God, I hope so.

But I'll believe it when I see it.

Why has it taken this long to be seriously talked about?

[corkhead]

70. Lay it out on a Friday afternoon so it can get trashed all weekend by the corporate press & repukes

[SlingBlade]

71. They KNOW that we're on to them. What they DON'T know

is that ANYTHING less than ACTION on a straight up public option
minus the corporate giveaways will result in a democratic Armageddon come the midterm
and a return to in your face republican rule shortly afterward.

This good cop bad cop game of partisan stupidity must end.We voted for Change

Change does not mean that Republicans dry hump us but Democrats offer us the K-Y before the hump.

Its over dude's, Perhaps for good if they do not shed their corporate masters and listen to
their base.

They will shovel whatever shit your willing to swallow, That's what they do.
Their professional politicians, Remember ?

[progressoid]

72. I'm holding my breath

not.

[AllyCat]

73. While I was thrilled to read this headline, I'm so tired of being left on the roadside on this

with all the other real people trying to make it happen (or just make it at all). I will now call my Senators every week again (I'd given up to be honest). This needs to happen!

[bertman]

74. KEEP CALLING AND EMAILING YOUR SENATORS!!! Proud to be the 100th Rec.

Even if you are cynical about this, IT'S TIME TO LET YOUR SENATORS KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. Do not miss this opportunity.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

This is not about Harry Reid. It's about whether the American people DEMAND a Strong Public Option.

[laughingliberal]

96. I'll 2nd that. And ring the phone at the WH off the wall, too.

President Obama is said to be crafting an HCR bill he will be posting online. Word is it does not include a public option. Do call and let them know we favor doing this any way it can be done.

[mckara]

75. It Will Happen!

[Phlem]

77. It's not going to happen

This is a time waster. Hope, Hope, Hope,....Nope.

Then again I'd really like to be wrong about this.

-p

[FunMe]

78. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn ... we have had enough of WORDS!

I am so tired of hearing them just talk about what they are going to do. Just do it!

If they don't, November will be a political bloodbath for them just they wait and see.

[deacon]

79. It's make or break time. If he doesn't follow through he is washed up and will go down in history

as the one most to blame for health care reform failure.

[howaboutme]

106. Hard ball

Means telling all those Senators who don't tow the line, and vote for the public option that most Americans want, that they will be on the shxt-list. Joe Lieberman should be #1 on that list and should have already lost his seniority and removed from any leadership position.

If the Democrats don't pull this off the repercussions will be far worse than having accomplished nothing.

[DFW]

80. IF that's the legislative path the party chooses?

We choose, we choose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vidar]

81. Good, though Harry's "leading" from the rear as usual.

[TankLV]

84. AFTER it's a DONE DEAL - ONLY THEN WILL YOU GET MY VOTE!

Sorry - but I've been LIED-TO and FOOLED too many times in the past.

YOU FIRST - ASSHOLE!

HAVE THE PUBLIC OPTION DONE IN A MEANINGFULL WAY AND THEN YOU'LL GET MY VOTE - NOT A SECOND BEFORE!

NO MANDATES FOR NOTHING!!!

FUCK ALL YOU CONSERVATIVE ASSHOLES!!!

[Danger Mouse]

85. He fucking better.

[SlingBlade]

86. How to tell when the Dem Leadership is about to ..

Shove it up your ass with a Joe the plumber snake ?

When we see that one of these four have also signed on to the reconciliation letter.

Mary Landrieu
Ben Nelson
Joe Lieberman
Blanche Lincoln

[Suji to Seoul]

88. Good leading there, Harry. . .someone else makes the decision, you will go along with it

Do you ever have a spine or were you born with nothing preventing your head from banging into your ass?

How do you have kids since you have no balls either?

With "leaders" like you, who needs Republicans??? You have worn out your welcome, Harry.

If hcr fails, Harry. . .don't give them Hell. . .go to Hell!

[laughingliberal]

93. How about the fact that the WH is posting their version of HCR online

and indications are it does not include a public option. Reid pushed the PO in 2 different forms trying to get some kind of PO into the Senate bill. I believe it was the White House who ordered him to cave to Lieberman and he was on record as being pissed off at them about it.

[jeanmarc]

98. Agree

History is made by those who lead a change.

Harry Reid can't be defended. Give me Alan Grayson, a man who tells it like it is.

[Zoeisright]

97. I'll believe it when I see it.

Personally I think HCR is dead, and the country is going to die right along with it.

[Highway61]

99. IF???????????

Ya know what? I am getting pissed at all this pussy footing around. The Dems need to be far more aggressive with this and Obama should be leading the charge!

[cal04]

100. Reid: Democrats will use 50-vote tactic to finish healthcare within 60 days

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/82461-reid-dems-will-use-50-vote-tactic-to-finish-healthcare-within-60-days


Democrats will finish their health reform efforts within the next two months by using a majority-vote maneuver in the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said.

Reid said that congressional Democrats would likely opt for a procedural tactic in the Senate allowing the upper chamber to make final changes to its healthcare bill with only a simple majority of senators, instead of the 60 it takes to normally end a filibuster.

[gtar100]

101. The Lion King of the Senate Roars!!

meow!

Seriously, I hope he goes through with it. Everything put into that man's hands is never secure. He could do it, great! But I won't believe it until he does it.

Go Harry!! You can do it!!!

[Phlem]

102. REID is Mormon!!!

When was the last time you talked to a Progressive Democratic Mormon???

They are naturally right wing Republicans.

Hopefully the above explanation will help you see Reid's actual intentions, motivations, and explain his actions past and forth coming.

I've been surrounded by them most of my life. I'm even married to a non practicing Mormon, her dad's a fucking creepy asshole and the whole lot of them think they walk on water.

-p

[Atticus]

103. We're watching. nt

[krkaufman]

104. I wouldn't count on it.

Absent street protests in favor of it, I don't see Dems doing anything to actually make it happen.

[robcon]

105. I don't think Reid has the votes. But here's hoping....

n/t

[jimmyzvoice]

107. Let's all call our Democratic Senators..

I called my Senator, Bill Nelson, in Florida. Although his
staff member would not commit that he would sign the Bennet
letter, I found out that he getting a lot of calls on this.
Let's keep the pressure on.