With Maria Cantwell, we now have 50 Senate votes for the public option --

[pnwmom]

assuming the 49 votes listed here are all solid:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7848152&mesg_id=7848152



http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/cantwell-joins-public-option-push-no-35.php

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) became the 35th senator to declare support for passing a public option via reconciliation, her office confirms to TPMDC.

Cantwell told the Huffington Post that she'd vote for a public option under reconciliation, if the Senate parliamentarian OK's it.

"If the parliamentarian says you can and it can all work, yes," she said. "If it works, fine."

[annabanana]

1. What's up in Connecticut?

What is Dodd's excuse? Is he up for a cushy Ins. Co. Lobbying postion when he leaves?

The current official list is here:

http://whipcongress.com/

[leveymg]

2. So, doesn't that mean Cantwell would vote against the PO if the Parliamentarian opposed, even if the

VP (who really makes the decision, not the Parliamentarian who is advisory) ruled that the PO was a permissible part of a Reconciliation Bill?

That doesn't give me a lot of confidence in her support for the PO or for this Bill.

[pnwmom]

5. Why would the Parliamentarian oppose it? It will reduce the budget deficit,

the numbers have already shown that. And that's the only issue for the Parliamentarian to decide.

I think she was just being precise in her speaking. No one has seen yet a public option bill, or the "package of fixes" people are talking about. If the public option is mishandled -- e.g., combined with other things that don't relate to budget matters -- then maybe it wouldn't pass muster. Now it's up to Reid and Pelosi to make sure that it's handled correctly.

[leveymg]

8. I agree that's how it should be handled.

But, the chief obstacle to a decent HCR package with a PO is obtaining 50 plus one votes for it. The original Senate Bill is the result of too much compromise with a group of conservadems with an agenda to defeat meaningful reform. There are more than 10 of them. I don't see how that's changed since December.

I do realize, of course, that the December Bill was structured to get 60 votes, and that will be different from a "Majority Rules" Bill, but I'm not convinced that there really are 50 Democratic Senators who would vote for the House Bill now. I used to believe there were, but the wool has been yanked from my eyes by the fact that the Obama Bill has no PO, which means that he won't fight publicly for it, even if he really does want it - and, I'm not sure he does.

[KharmaTrain]

3. I'd Like To See 50 Signed To The Dotted Line...

The Bennett letter. From Countdown that number is 37...(I think that counts Cantwell), so there are still some work to be done. But the tipping point is soon to be reached as the closer you get to 50 the more pressure is placed on those in the middle to get on board. We'll know when this pressure mounts when you start hearing Reid bring PO back into his lexicon...realizing he's gonna have to deal with it. I also think Rockafeller will come around...his previous strong support for Public Option along with his glass jaw makes him one who can be rolled if needs be.

[Suji to Seoul]

4. The thread you posted is mine. Let me explain

The first 38 votes are definite on the dotted line.

My "yes" means they are leaning yes, but not a definite. . .based on state represented, ideology, election year politics, being on the record about the public option and the position/senority in the Senate.

"maybe" is a toss up.

"no" = no.

We still need to keep the heat on the "yes" and the "maybes."

[pnwmom]

6. Yes -- we definitely need to keep the heat up on all of them!

[RBInMaine]

7. Good. Take it up as a separate measure.

[mucifer]

9. Did Biden say he'd vote for it? I don't think Obama wants a public option "at this time."

[Pab Sungenis]

10. One vote not to trust on that letter (at least)

...Menendez (DINO-NJ). Menendez voted for the Baucus Bill which did away with the public option in the first case. I doubt he'll change his mind this time around.