Nadler: Liberals prepared to buck Obama, Dem leadership if bill presented w/o public option

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/59619-nadler-liberals-prepared-to-buck-obama-dem-leadership


Nadler: Liberals prepared to buck Obama, Dem leadership
By Michael O'Brien - 09/21/09 03:13 PM ET


Liberals in the House are prepared to buck President Obama and House Democratic leaders if they're presented a healthcare bill without a public option.

Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) said Monday he is optimistic that any healthcare bill from the House will include a public (or "government-run") option, and are undertaking a whip count to test lawmakers' commitment to that measure.

"The public option is still very much alive only because the progressives have stood together and held our ground and said that, regardless of what the President or Leadership says, we won't vote for any bill {without} a public option," Nadler said in a chat online hosted by the liberal AMERICAblog.

Nadler told the blog that 60 lawmakers had pledged to vote against any healthcare bill lacking the public plan, and that liberal Democrats are "undertaking a whip count now to see how firm these pledges are."

Nadler has been among a coterie of liberal members of Congress to go public with their demands that the White House maintain its support for the public option. Reflecting on those efforts, the Manhattan Democrat struck an optimistic note on the public option.

"I think the chances of the public option of being passed in health care reform are pretty good," he wrote, noting that it depends on the ability of the Congressional Progressive, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Caucuses to hold together, as well as Obama's willingness to lean on Democratic lawmakers.

[BlooInBloo]

1. Hang together, else hang separately, folks.

[ProSense]

2. I don't think Nadler has anything to worry about

Pelosi.

Still, it's good to know progressives are standing their ground.

[fascisthunter]

3. Indeed! (nt)

[anonymous171]

4. Yep. I'm not going to bother with Obama or the democrats if they can't man up for this.

I'm tired of all this weak ass compromise bullshit. We need to kill the GOP and wipe every trace of their disgusting and offensive existence from the face of the earth.

[glitch]

9. I would prefer them to spine up.

Bless the liberal caucuses, they've got their spines.

[Cha]

12. Oh, "man up"..right. Like President Obama

hasn't been out there fighting for this and asking all our help to get the Public Option.

Your clueless dissing is just that.

[polichick]

5. Hopefully the message of these reps and the people is getting through! nt

[Vidar]

6. Blessyou, Rep. Nadler.

[DCKit]

7. It's U.S. or the Insurance Companies...

and there's no love for the insurance companies.

[mucifer]

8. But but but but the pundits say a publc option won't pass. The pundits the pundits

they have to be right. They are pundits doncha know.

[glitch]

10. The pundits are spundits.

They've been spinning so long their spin has finally spun out.

[Cha]

13. Isn't that what dennis kucinich has said, too? Or did

I read that wrong?

[jenmito]

11. I don't see how having a public option is "bucking Obama" when he constantly defends a public option

being in a bill.