We will find out if the President really wants the Public Option.

[European Socialist]

If he can't get 50 votes then he didn't try. In my opinion, Obama has it all on the line here for himself and the Democratic Party.

[leveymg]

1. Obama needs to apply some public diplomacy and vigorous arm-twisting to make this work. Ultimately

it's a test of his leadership and whether the Blue Dogs have any desire to remain the Majority Party in the United States.

Fingers crossed. Here we go . . .

[FormerDittoHead]

6. Yes. The president has no power. That's why Bush couldn't get anything done.

I'm really tired of the "powerless President" meme.

IMO, the President's job should be MORE than simply picking which pro-corporate / conservative plan get passed.

[grahamhgreen]

11. +1

[Uben]

2. Everyone has an opinion...........

....but the president's ability to sway votes isn't as great as you probably think it is. These congress-critters have a tendency to vote according to where their money comes from regardless. Sad, but true.

[DrDan]

3. don't we already know the answer to that?

[mucifer]

4. my gut feeling is that Durbin not backing public option is a sign that Obama isn't either

[secondwind]

5. On Morning Joe a few minutes ago: "He [Reid] doesn't have the votes for reconciliation"

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON.......did we get into power with "phonies" posing as Democrats ????

We're so close, and yet so far.....Obama needs to twist some arms, PERIOD. I wonder if Rahm is Hillary's tool inside the WH, in order to bring this President down?

[mucifer]

7. well I wouldn't listen to morning joe. That's crap. See if it's in another source.

[CTyankee]

10. Well, there was a post last night right here that said essentially the same thing.

It wasn't based on anything MJ said, it was a head count.

Today I read that the WH proposal does not include a public option.

[Oceansaway]

9. yep, Dick is a lapdog for sure...n/t

[Hawaii Hiker]

8. If he demanded it, we would get it

"If Obama were to demand it, he would get it, but he is not demanding it. The Democrats missed a golden opportunity to push for it by failing to instantly attack Anthem, the California-based health insurance company, which wants to raise its premiums by 39%"...

www.electoral-vote.com

Change you can beleive in means fighting for something that is the right thing to do even if it pisses off Rethugs...(then again, NOTHING Obama does will please the other side, so "F" them0...

[boppers]

14. Ignoring attacks is not the same as no attacks.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/82417-obama-slams-anthem-rate-increase-in-pushing-healthcare-bill
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/09/business/la-fi-anthem-obama9-2010feb09

"Results 1 - 10 of about 209,000 for Anthem Blue Cross Obama"
http://www.google.com/search?q=Anthem+Blue+Cross+Obama

[LeftyAndProud60]

12. I don't know what Obama could do to bluedogs to get them to support it. NT

[polichick]

13. He could start with being 100% for it himself and using the bully pulpit. nt