Just got this in my inbox Re: Senator Reid and Public Option

[loyalkydem]

Dear MoveOn member,

Alarming news: the public option could be dead within days, and we need Harry Reid to act fast to save it.1

A few conservative Democrats, including Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman, are threatening to block health care reform—all of it—if the rest of the Democratic Caucus doesn't agree to drop or weaken the public option.2
A tiny minority of conservatives could cut out the heart of reform, supported by 86% of Democrats. The latest news is that to appease them a weak compromise is being unveiled within days.3
But it doesn't have to be this way. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can still stop this, if he continues to fight. Reid has shown that he's willing to be a leader in fighting for the public option, and now we need him more than ever.

So we're sending an emergency petition to Senator Reid asking him to do everything in his power to persuade these senators to support real health care reform. Can you sign the petition to Harry Reid? Clicking here will add your name:

http://pol.moveon.org/healthcare/reid/o.pl?id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=3
The petition says: "Senator Reid, don't let a few senators derail what the majority of Americans want and need. We're counting on you to use every tool at your disposal to make sure the Senate bill includes a public option."

As Senate Majority Leader, Reid can apply pressure in a number of ways: call a vote to force conservative Democrats to stand up publicly with Republicans and Big Insurance to filibuster health care, strip them of their committee chairmanships or committee seats, or opt to pass health care through what's called the "reconciliation" process, which would let him pass the bill with a simple majority vote.

Sen. Reid has shown us in the past that he's willing to fight for the public option. And in this final showdown, we all need to stand stronger than ever. Sen. Reid needs to hear that, at this crucial time, we've got his back.

Can you sign the petition to Harry Reid today? Clicking here will add your name:
http://pol.moveon.org/healthcare/reid/o.pl?id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=4
Thank you for all you do.

–Kat, Nita, Michael, Wes, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare," The Hill, December 1, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85349&id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=5

2. "Lieberman: Sure, I'd Filibuster A Health Care Reform Bill With A Public Option," Talking Points Memo, October 27, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85376&id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=6
"Lieberman: More Dems could join public option filibuster," The Hill, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85377&id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=7
"Ben Nelson threatens filibuster," Politico, November 19, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85378&id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=8

3. "Most in U.S. want public health option: poll," Reuters, December 3, 2009
http://www.reuters.com/article/gc07/idUSTRE5B20OL20091203
"Reid set to unveil new public option, breaking Senate impasse on healthcare," The Hill, December 1, 2009

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=85349&id=18145-8545917-Tqk6iox&t=9
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

Can I get you guys to sign the petition and call Harry Reid's office?

________________________________________

[Bitwit1234]

1. I got breaking news email

saying they had a vote on the health bill. That they defeated McCain's admendment. I came to DU to get all the lowdown and no body has anything. The email didn't tell much except to say several amendments were narrowly defeated. And mention McCain's.

[bobburgster]

2. Done deal from me.

[laughingliberal]

3. Signed with the following comment

The bills now being considered resemble no idea of real reform I ever had in all the years I have hoped to see reform of this health care system. If we can't, at least, hold on to this little crumb of a public option, I see no good reason to keep fighting to pass the bill.

[Bonn1997]

4. I've lost all motivation to fight on health care reform at this point. If there is a public option

it's probably going to be an awful, extremely weak one that does nothing good and gives Republicans a chance to show how government involvement provided no relief.

[loyalkydem]

5. This is why

I think the Republican party will kill us in the midterms. Are we all going to just give up because our leaders are failing us? The answer is simple, we elect more progressive candiates and get rid of the dead weight. Come on guys. Don't give up the fight.

[Bonn1997]

6. Oh I'm definitely willing to do that. I'll campaign against my rep (Bright) in a primary