My head count for a public option vote in a reconciliation vote

[bluestateguy]

We have 60 Democrats, and I assume a new senator from Massachusetts who is pro-public option.

So, in a reconciliation vote, I see the following Democrats voting no, along with all Republicans:

Conrad
Lieberman
Landrieu
Lincoln
Nelson (NE)
Byrd (supports public option as policy, but not folding it into the reconciliation process; he cares more about parliamentary niceties than doing what is right for the American people)

So that's 6 off the boat.

Iffy votes (depends on the political winds in their states)

Nelson (FL)
Pryor
Baucus (who may not like being brushed aside)

So that's 9, with one more vote to spare (which would require bringing Joe Biden back to his old office)

[rurallib]

1. where does Dorgan stand? Can't say that I have heard.

[bluescribbler]

2. New Senator from Massachusetts

Senator Paul Kirk was a close friend of Senator Kennedy's and a former staffer. He and Kennedy were on the same page.

[elocs]

3. Lieberman is not a Democrat. n/t

[thereismore]

4. It's going to be a squeaker, but I am guessing under duress from the Prez we'll get Nelson FL. nt

[4lbs]

5. There will be a handful that vote for cloture (60 votes) that will vote NAY when it come to actual

passage of the bill.