Joe Biden still has one foot in the Senate; may be key to healthcare

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/85597-joe-biden-still-has-one-foot-in-the-senate

Unlike his predecessor, Vice President Joe Biden does not attend the weekly lunches in the Senate. Instead, he’s in the Senate gym, across the dinner table and — constantly — on the phone with members of the upper chamber.

When Biden can’t make it to the Senate, senators come to him: for breakfasts and lunches at the vice presidential residence, private chats at the White House and personal guided tours of the West Wing.

A senator for 36 years, Biden’s relationship with his former colleagues has been key to President Barack Obama’s first 13 months in office. From the stimulus plan to the Iraq war to peace in the Middle East , Biden has been a critical go-between for an administration that has struggled to push its agenda through a Senate controlled by the same party.

With Democrats poised to use reconciliation to pass healthcare reform, Biden’s deep friendships on both sides of the aisle will be put to the test.

[mucifer]

1. yeah he was a pretty popular senator. it should help.He could put pressure for

public option. But, I doubt that's gonna happen.