This makes me a little barfy.
In light of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's statement tonight--that he welcomes negotiations on a public option compromise--Sen. Chuck Schumer's spokesman Brian Fallon emails a statement to TPMDC. He says discussions with centrists, such as they are, are in the earliest stages.
If this public option is compromised any further, liberals will start to walk away from the bill. The effort shouldn't be to compromise with the conservadems. We've already met them halfway. It's their turn to move. I just can't buy this notion that one provision in a large bill is forcing them to filibuster. This implies that every vote they've ever cast is for 100 percent pure legislation.
Furthermore, how will they insert a compromise into the bill before conference? Any change in the bill from this point forward will require 60 votes on the floor. That's 40 Republicans and 20 Democrats voting to change the public option.
You know, seeing the legislative process up close, it's a miracle that we haven't been invaded and occupied by Canada.
Adding... I totally agree with this headline:
With Conservative Resistance To Public Option, What Was The Point Of The Opt Out?
Schumer and Reid need to emphasize to the conservadems that this is all very bad for them. The public option is popular. The public option cuts costs. The public option reduces the deficit. There are primary campaigns lining up to confront the conservadems. They're filibustering healthcare reform, which is supported by an overwhelming majority of Democrats. Nelson, Lincoln, Landrieu, Carper and Lieberman need to wise up. That's the argument at this point. No more compromises.