Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Public Option Opt-Out Might Turn Into Opt-In

Harry Reid needs everyone on board. Here's what I'm wondering--why didn't Reid insist on the public option at the get-go. He didn't have the votes then and he doesn't have them now. So what took him? Tom Daschle says Reid is far short of 60 votes and that he'll be shopping other ideas around.
With Republicans united for now in opposition to any bill including a public option, Mr. Reid needs support from all members of his caucus — 58 Democrats and two independents — to take up the legislation. Aides said Monday that he appeared to be short of that goal, lacking firm commitments from several members of the caucus.

Should Mr. Reid prevail, both houses of Congress would be poised to act on bills including a government-run plan to compete with private insurers in selling health coverage to consumers. The House is still weighing the details of its approach, but Democratic leaders have made clear they will include a government plan in their version of the bill. NYT
Chuck Todd says Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Ben Nelson of Nebraska will be the toughest to rally. Todd says the compromise could ultimately be the opt-in, rather than the opt-out. Politics is funny business.
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