We have 51 for Public Option in the Senate.

[Mithreal]

http://whipcongress.com/

[asdjrocky]

1. And now Nancy says it can't happen.

I'm starting to feel this game is fixed, and not in our favor.

[Mithreal]

5. Oh, it's rigged alright but even then we can overcome.

Too early to celebrate but keep pressuring.

[Donnachaidh]

25. and who besides Bernie Sanders has the cajones to even TRY in the Senate?

I honestly think the White House has been strong-arming *anyone* in either house who even looks like they might possibly back the PO.

They DO NOT want it. I suspect a public option would muck up those backroom deals they won't admit to. And now with Harry's family in the hospital because of that awful accident - he's going to be as useless as a pack of wet matches at a cookout.

[Mithreal]

32. It is their way.

They may not want it, but we do. I believe we will overcome. And even if we lose this time, we will be back with more. Keep your head down and keep pushing forward. It's worth it.

[LakeSamish706]

2. Yep, Nancy says Public Option is off the table. n/t

[asdjrocky]

4. So either way we can't win.

All this time I've been giving Nancy and the House more credit than the Senate and the White House, I guess their all in on it.

[ShortnFiery]

6. Early on wasn't Nancy the Public Option's #1 Advocate in the Congress?

I'm disgusted that she has flip-flopped on this VERY important issue. :thumbsdown:

[Mithreal]

8. Hadn't seen the off the table, that is a kicker. Not over until it's over.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7903490&mesg_id=7903490

[salguine]

12. I think Nancy Pelosi needs to be taken off the table, frankly.

[Mithreal]

13. You and me both.

[Mari333]

40. Nancy is all over the place these days

[Mithreal]

56. Squirrely so.

Our dear Speaker certainly looks "fearless."

"off the table now" Pelosi

[ShortnFiery]

3. I don't believe it. eom

[asdjrocky]

14. Then why did she say it?

Never mind.

[Mithreal]

20. Think was referring to the 51. Since we had 59(?) for medicare buy-in

before Obama told Reid to cave to Lieberman, I have some suspicion the number in the Senate is reliable but they are not going to lead, at least I don't think so.

[demwing]

23. She didnt say it was off the table.. Seen the quote?

"We're talking about something that's not going to be part of the legislation," she said.

"I'm quite sad that a public option isn't in there. But it isn't a case of it's not in there because the Senate is whipping against it. It's not in there because they don't have the votes to have it in there."

"We had it," Pelosi said. "We wanted it. They didn't have it. It's not in the reconciliation."


That's it.


"...It's not in there because they don't have the votes to have it in there."

[LakeSamish706]

24. Funny how she failed to mention that on Rachel's show the other night. n/t

[demwing]

27. So now we know (or believe) that "THEY" (the Senate) have the votes

It was conditional commentary, and the conditions have since changed dramatically.

[Mithreal]

34. They're playing a risky strategy if they don't now deliver.

[tekisui]

7. So what is the new excuse for not doing it?

:shrug:

[Mithreal]

9. Same as it ever was I suppose

I thought I had collected them all, but I am sure they are working up new ones.

Wait scratch that, I am sure they planned ahead. Should hear them pretty soon from the usual suspects, just have to listen.

[upi402]

10. the curtain is pulled back on the Great Oz!

:wow:

[Mithreal]

11. +1

[laughingliberal]

22. +1 nt

[sabrina 1]

36. One of the 51 will be designated the role of

'changing' his/her mind. They take turns playing the bad/good cop. Someone who has political capital, in their view, with progressives who will forgive and forget as they always do by the time the chosen one is up for re-election. Most likely it will be someone who won't be facing the voters this November.

Nancy and Harry will be sad. And the Insurance Industry will breath a sigh of relief.

And there are people here, on THIS board, who say Kucinich is ineffective??

[Mithreal]

46. Remember it is 50+1VP, that's a lot of pressure on Biden.

And a couple loser Republicans may not even vote so could be fewer? idk

Yeah, that Kucinich stuff is over-the-top. Saying the "party first" crowd despises Kucinich is like saying vampires prefer Garlique.

[sabrina 1]

53. Cheney broke many ties on behalf of the Bush agenda.

The question remains, 'what is the agenda of this administraton'? Do they or do they not support a PO? I guess if it became necessary, Biden's tie-breaking vote would answer that question once and for all. Which is why I think there will be a huge effort to change the minds of a Senator or two, IF the WH is against it, to provide cover for them. But I doubt anyone will be fooled by that. They really are on the spot now since, with the latest news that there ARE enough votes in the Senate. It will be interesting to watch the developments. And the excuses if it fails, from the usual suspects.

[Mithreal]

55. Absolutely agreed.

[harun]

43. They have a whole list of excuses they can roll out.

[Mithreal]

57. It's fun to collect them all, can't wait for the new ones.

[Posteritatis]

54. A half dozen of them will probably change their mind when it's actually voted on, likely.

I'm assuming at least some of the 51 are lying.

[Mithreal]

58. We had 59 for medicare buy-in. Don't wait and see.

Put yourself in the game.

LIST OF TOLL FREE CONGRESS SWITCHBOARD PHONE NUMBERS, thanks to orleans

1-800-828-0498

1-800-459-1887

1-800-614-2803

1-866-340-9281

1-866-338-1015

1-866-220-0044

1-877-851-6437

At least one of them didn't work for me.

Then we'll expose another who is compromised, sounds like a good thing, out 'em.

[Edweird]

15. It's a shell game, and we're the marks. They keep shifting goalposts and

pointing the finger at each other to avoid accountability.

[Mithreal]

18. And we'll be there in their faces and if they keep moving em

we'll kick their asses every time.

There's a storm a brewing.

Be relentless. That's what it is going to take.

If you are frustrated and need a rest, I am cool with that. No one can go nonstop.

[w4rma]

16. Time to pass it. We've got the votes, now we can find out who the liars are. (nt)

[Mithreal]

35. Absolutely.

:thumbsup:

[LakeSamish706]

17. Sorry, but I find Pelosi so full of shit that there are not words to express her.

Durbin, "We will whip up the votes for Public Option" meanwhile probably knowing full well that he has nothing to worry about, cause Public Option is not even coming out of the House.

[Mithreal]

19. We will respond as well. This nation needs the people in the game.

[LakeSamish706]

21. They don't seem to give a rats ass about their Constituents, and I can't figure that out.

Why in hell do these dip shits keep getting elected if that don't work for there voters?

[Mithreal]

33. Combination of factors, no single reason.

And we haven't given the Dems reason to fear Progressives.

Don't read this after dark, am guessing you already saw this. It is a little depressing but provides some idea what we are up against.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/16/815429/-No-One-Is-Going-To-Save-You-Fools

[kestrel91316]

26. Not even close. We need at least 75 or 80.

:sarcasm: Because we have to keep our powder dry.

[anAustralianobserver]

28. The 'whip congress' (51 votes) guy is on this Ed Schultz vid - a must see!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/35844133#35844133

[Oilwellian]

48. Adam Green has done a fantastic job

I hope everyone goes to his website to sign the petition. They also supply you with your Senators phone numbers to call and ask that they publically display their support for the public option. They even supply you with a script you can use when making the call.

Tell your senator to vote "yes" on the public option in reconciliation.

Recently, 40 Democratic senators signed a letter or issued a statement saying they are willing to vote "yes" on the public option in reconciliation, which only requires a simple majority to pass a bill.

The latest include two members of Senate leadership -- Dick Durbin and Chris Dodd -- among others.

Can you ask your senator to join?

Here's what to say:

Hi — my name is and I live in .

I'd like to speak with the Legislative Assistant in charge of health care, to ask them if the senator can issue a simple statement supporting the public option in reconciliation.

AWAIT ANSWER

Will you issue a public statement saying that Sen. will vote yes on a public option like the one the House passed if it comes up under reconciliation rules? For example, Sen. Durbin's spokesperson said "if the House version of the public option came up for a vote in reconciliation Sen. Durbin would vote yes."

AWAIT ANSWER

If they agree to issue a statement: Thanks. Can you email your statement to [e-mail]?
http://act.boldprogressives.org/cms/call/bennet_letter/?action_id=3362493&akid=.468411.X5DAES

http://whipcongress.com/

[smalll]

29. It's a well-constructed mirage. The House has to pass Baucuscare, the President will sign it,

and then it's game over.

Game over, man!

[Master Yoda]

30. ehhh...

I'm still not convinced about the public option. I say we need to get profit out of health care completely. Go single-payer or go home.

[Mithreal]

31. How many Senators do you have on board?

[Master Yoda]

37. Only a few

But it is our job, not their's, to decide that we need it.We liberals need to start getting loud, something the republicans almost always beat us at.

[Mithreal]

44. True, but either that or go home isn't really acceptable.

[Master Yoda]

38. Only a few

But it is our job, not their's, to decide that we need it.We liberals need to start getting loud, something the republicans almost always beat us at.

[JerseygirlCT]

39. So DO IT ALREADY!

Honest to goodness. What is the hold up?

[Master Yoda]

41. well have a few...

I think the biggest hold up we have is a president, who has good intentions, but isn't strong amour to fight the right and forget about "Bipartisanship". Jimmy Carter anyone?

Another thing however, is that we need to get much, much louder to show that there aren't just crackpot republicans who aren't happy with wats happening in Washington

[JerseygirlCT]

42. I've seen quotes from more than a few in Congress along the lines of

"make us!" As if without overwhelming and angry public outcry they cannot be expected to do what's right. That's really sad.

[Master Yoda]

45. It is sad.

Very sad, but its true, and I'd argue even to be expected. Throughout history this is how it has been. Why would a politician risk being re-elected for making such a "radical" decision, without a huge outcry for support. This is simply how our political system works.

[Mithreal]

47. I have seen some persuasive explanations but agree with your sentiments.

It does seem like we have a great many cowards representing us sometimes.

Reminds me of a quote along the lines of, "If there were no fools in government it wouldn't be truly representative."

[swilton]

49. I wish I could take this as good news

But I'm certain that our 'courageous' leaders :sarcasm: in the Senate will find a way not to bring up this public benefit for a vote.

[Mithreal]

51. We know they won't lead, let's encourage them to do some representing.

Am with you on your sentiments.

[onenote]

50. 24 signing a letter and a hodgepodge of statements, videos and "likelys" doesn't really do it

Sorry, but I suspect that the leadership in the House and Senate have a better handle on how many votes there are for a specific public option proposal than a "i wish it to be the case and therefore it is" collection of commitments and sort of commitments.

[Mithreal]

52. Agreed, statements were weaker than signing the letter.

We can use this to our advantage.

Obama obstructed the public option. I talked with my senate leadership Senator's chief of staff. He made it very clear that Republicans are not the only ones obstructing and placed the blame solidly on Obama. I tried to get him to say it was Rahm and not even a hint, all on Obama.

[kenny blankenship]

59. yeah, but you need a President and party leadership that are for it

and we don't have that.

[Mithreal]

60. Reid is for it. And we can make Pelosi and Obama do it.

My one Senator is a member of Senate leadership. She has always been for it. Don't be premature with your judgment on this one, it isn't over. If you read some other comments I made, you'll know I agree with your sentiment.

If we get this option, make sure you have some extra special reasons to be proud, like you were in there until the end.

If one gives up before the fight is over, why shouldn't their representative too? Not saying you are even implying that, just saying.

[Master Yoda]

61. Politicans will support anything that will get them re-elected

Politicans will support anything that will get them re-elected, it is the peoples job to re-assure them, or rather assure them, that they will be.