And by "you," I mean "you" and I mean various Democratic members of the Senate who will be running in dangerously tight races in November.
Imagine, senators, being tied in the polls going into election day. Now imagine having voted for a wildly popular piece of healthcare legislation: the public option. It's a vote like this one that could mean the difference between victory and annihilation in a tight race.
Pass the damn bill. And shove the public option in there, too, while you still have the chance.
Adding... I think Harry Reid is getting the message that the public option is back. From his office via Greg Sargent:
If a decision is made to use reconciliation to advance health care, Senator Reid will work with the White House, the House, and members of his caucus in an effort to craft a public option that can overcome procedural obstacles and secure enough votes.