UPDATE, 11:15a: As if skepticism if not outright denial among Senate Democrats about Reid’s claim of a compromise reached between libs and mods weren’t enough, now add MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann’s “stick a fork in it” lament last night…
As Politico reported, “Olbermann… said… that losing the pure public option is a “total and unmitigated defeat without a war.”
11:04a: Senate Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid gave a grand show Tuesday, December 8, via a public statement and press release that “moderate… progressive members of our diverse caucus… tonight… have come to a consensus.”
The only problem is he was bluffing. Bear in mind 4 of the 10 senators brawling behind closed doors over the controversial public option are Feingold, Landrieu, Lincoln, and Nelson.
Here were their statements – made after Reid’s big announcement…
Sen. Russ Feingold: “While I appreciate the willingness of all parties to engage in good-faith discussions, I do not support proposals that would replace the public option in the bill with a purely private approach.” (Feingold press release, December 8)
Sen. Mary Landrieu: “There’s no specific compromise. There were discussions.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No ‘compromise’ made on health bill,” The Hill, December 9)
“According to Sen. Blanche Lincoln, sending the bill to the CBO was about all the 10 senators agree to do.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No ‘compromise’ made on health bill,” The Hill, December 9)
Sen. Ben Nelson: “My position has not changed…. I’ve drawn a line in the sand…. I haven’t signed on to the proposal…. [and on accepting Reid’s request to work on a compromise] “I’m anxious to get the best bill… even if I can’t be supportive of it.” (“Nelson still withholding cloture vote,” Lincoln Journal Star, December 9)
Also bear in mind Reid needs 60 votes, including all 58 Democrats…
Sen. Roland Burris: “If we have to get 60 and it comes back and it does not have a public option in it, I will not vote for it. It will still take 60 votes to pass it…. If we don’t pass a meaningful health care reform bill in this session, we are all going to hang separately…. Understand that I have drawn a line in the sand. I’m not much of a dealmaker in this regard.” (“Burris threatens to filibuster health care without public option,” The Huffington Post, December 9)
… and both Independents…
Sen. Joe Lieberman: “”My opposition to a government-run insurance option, including any option with a trigger, has been clear for months and remains my position today. Regarding the “Medicare buy-in” proposal that is being discussed, we must remain vigilant about protecting and extending the solvency of the program, which is now in a perilous financial condition.” (Lieberman press release, December 9)
Sen. Bernie Sanders: “I understand that the leadership wants to move this bill forward as quickly as possible. I understand that. But in my view, we have a lot of work in front of us…. In my view, the only way we are going to provide comprehensive, cost-effective, universal care is through a single payer.” (Congressional Record, S.12698-9, December 8)
… or a Republican or 2…
“GOP senator: We will unanimously oppose newest health care compromise,” Huffington Post, December 9
Moral: Don’t believe a word Harry Reid says.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Thank you for this elaboration!
I’m glad to hear it.
Carol, you’re welcome. This information came as a relief to me.
am I just imagining it…or is it that ANY comment/speech coming out of a major democrat (including the grand poobah himself) contains obfuscation, misdirections, cover-ups or LIEs??
No..I’m just imagining it, right? Riiiight…
Soooo, which is the Sacred Cow here that must never be sacrificed: Abortion, or the Public Option???
The Smoke of Satan grows thicker….
Memo to Olbermann: Patience, my friend. You’ll get your precious little public option. Don’t tell anybody, but they’re just changing the name.
Our secret, ‘kay?