Bill Nelson becomes 41st Senator for Public Option via Reconciliation

[WI_DEM]

(9 more plus Biden and we could have a Public Option!)

It looks like the whip count may be going up to 41 today!

In the last few days Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) have all signed on to voting for the public option via reconciliation. Today, Bill Nelson brings the total to 41.


I think we are reaching a critical threshold. With 41 Senators supporting using this strategy, it can no longer be considered fringe. The momentum is astounding, and hearing Bill Nelson, a moderate Democrat of all people, supporting this plan is huge in my book.


http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/3/10/844877/-Bill-Nelson41st-Senator-to-support-Public-Option-via-Reconciliation

[w4rma]

1. !!! Nice (nt)

[Supersedeas]

2. Where the HELL is KAY HAGAN!!

[WI_DEM]

8. I'm shocked that Jay Rockefeller has said he wouldn't support it.

[tpsbmam]

36. I'm calling her office again tomorrow......

Bill Nelson is supporting it for god's sake.....BILL NELSON! I hope others keep pushing her!

[WonderGrunion]

3. Bill Nelson is on board?

I'm very pleasantly surprised.

[still_one]

5. so am I /nt

[RockaFowler]

20. I guess my calls worked!!

:bounce: :woohoo:

After the whole Rush Limbaugh thing happened yesterday, I really think Bill Nelson took to heart those of us who want Limpballs out of our state once and for all. Palm Beach County will be so much better without him.

[Dappleganger]

27. Woo HOO! nt

[dhpgetsit]

38. Thank you!

:yourock:

I think there are more supporters than are on the list. When it comes to a vote, you will see a larger number.

They know it's the right thing to do.

[Beetwasher]

4. That's A Surprise, A Very Pleasant One

9 away from this happening.

[Supersedeas]

41. meanwhile Kay Hagan & Blanche Lincoln are looking to make friends with the Insurance Lobby

[piratefish08]

6. At what point will President Obama be forced to support this?

I'm not being a smartass or sarcastic either........

How many senators before this CAN'T be ignored? 44?

48?

60?

Is there a tipping point and do you think this is happening by design or more organically?

[uponit7771]

9. It's already been reported MULTIPLE times that he DOES support this but KNOWS they dont' have votes

[WI_DEM]

10. Well lets see if we get the votes. Originally there were over 50 supporters in Senate for a PO

[laughingliberal]

35. Funny, isn't it? We were told we couldn't have the public option cause there were only 56 votes

and we needed 60. We were told reconciliation was not an option. Well, now reconciliation is a must but the public option doesn't have 50 supporters? Smells bad.

[Arkana]

He told the Congress if they got the votes and put it in the bill he'd happily sign it into law.

But he didn't think the votes existed.

Prove him wrong, Democrats.

[laughingliberal]

31. That would be the point. We are trying to prove him wrong. Perhaps he shouldn't declare the public

option dead while the campaign to bring our representatives on board is ongoing?

[Arkana]

42. He hasn't declared the public option dead.

He just said it probably won't be in this particular bill. What's to stop these same Dem senators from introducing a public option in a separate bill the day after this one is voted on?

[demwing]

15. Saying something multiple times

does not prove anything

[piratefish08]

16. It's getting harder everyday to keep repeating the "not enough votes" mantra, though......

They have over 80% of the votes needed right now, this minute.............

At what point do they at least have to TRY?

[FBaggins]

21. Maybe when they actually HAVE the votes?

And for specific language?

[uponit7771]

39. Hate facts? Can't run with no feet

[laughingliberal]

29. Hmm. Activists actively campaigning to pressure our representatives to support a public outcry for

a public option gaining ground and the President pronounces it dead and without enough votes. That kind of 'support' we can do without.

[OregonBlue]

7. Has hell frozen over?

[Orlandodem]

11. IF THIS DOESN'T PROVE THAT PUBLIC PRESSURE DOESN'T WORK!!!!!........

Holy Crap!!!! I have called and emailed his office. I have encouraged friends and family who support the PO to do the same. I quietly thought my time would be wasted and my efforts would be in vain, but this is a HUGE SURPRISE!!!!

We MUST redouble our efforts. This is our time!!! Make Obama sign a health care bill with a PO. Make your Senators sign on to it. The end of this process is almost near. Work just a little harder. Listen to Governor Dean. He is RIGHT! We MUST fight on!!! We can do this. Put a little more time and effort into this and we will win!!!!!

[DevonRex]

12. Fantastic! Looks like the pressure is working. nt

[Dappleganger]

13. Just called his office (again) and left a message on the machine...

telling him to keep it up!

Jesus, am I really still in FL???

[DevonRex]

17. I'll get my in-laws to do that today, too. Great idea and thank you! nt

[Dappleganger]

25. I just called several friends who've canvassed w/me...

they are calling their people too. Called my daughter's best friend's mom, she is spreading the word. We were just remarking on Sunday how disgusted we are w/FL politicians, so this gives me a little bit of hope!

[DevonRex]

30. I talked to my mother-in-law and she emailed him already.

And she's calling my brother-in-law and his wife, and my nephew down in Miami. Before the day is out, DU will be responsible for thousands of emails and calls.

And it all started with you! :hug:

[dflprincess]

14. Can he be trusted?

Can any of them be trusted or, if the House goes along with this, will the Senate pull a double cross?

[DevonRex]

18. That's why we can't let up just because he's on board now.

Our calls and emails have to continue to outnumber those from the opposition. I don't live in Florida but my in-laws do. So my first call will be to them, making sure they're gonna keep the pressure going until it's over.

[Dappleganger]

26. No, that's why you need to keep calling and be the squeaky wheel! nt

[dflprincess]

32. If they listened to the squeaky wheels,

we'd be getting Medicare for All.

[Patsy Stone]

19. Really?

As a Floridian, I can't believe it.

[DevonRex]

23. Neither could my mother-in-law but she's overjoyed. But she's STILL

gonna keep emailing him, just in case. :hi:

[Patsy Stone]

47. Excellent

and I think I'll follow suit. His motivations could be as The Magistrate said below, but I don't see why he'd stick his neck out if this is as unpopular among seniors as the polls lead us to believe, Is it possible he's just doing the right thing?

Answer unclear; ask again later.

:hi:

[DefenseLawyer]

22. It could be that he knows it has no chance of happening

So he can get the political cover of saying he tried without upsetting his corporate buddies.

[DevonRex]

28. Could be. But we know it DOES have a chance if we just keep on

fighting for it. And if we keep the pressure up on him and all teh others then they can't back down - not without watching their political futures go down the drain.

[The Magistrate]

24. If This Wretch Signed On, Sir, The Total Will Come Up Short, And He Knows It....

He would not actually cast a vote for this, you may be sure.

[WI_DEM]

33. I hope you are wrong.

[The Magistrate]

40. Me Too, Sir

But Nelson has been on my 'little list of those who'd not be missed' for a long time, and trusting him to do the right thing is like taking a rattle-snake to bed.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

37. That was EXACTLY my thought.

This whole PO/letter exercise has been nothing but poltical theatre, I fear. :(

[tsuki]

44. +10000

[lostnfound]

45. As depressing as your comment is..

it brings a smile to my face to see you posting. Glad to see you are back, hope you are doing well.

[lostnfound]

46. As depressing as your comment may be..

it nonetheless brings a smile to my face just to see you posting. Glad to see you are back, hope you are doing well.

[ShortnFiery]

34. That's because he has COVER. We will not get to 51 votes so let's not pass the Senate bill

in the House?

[AlinPA]

43. Getting these commitments is taking to too long.

[Sancho]

48. k & r

:dem: