Can someone explain to me

[AllentownJake]

How the hell did Olympia Snowe get in the room for the final bill negotiations?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I don't know for sure...

But it seems to me that we wanted her (or some moderate Republican) to sign on to the bill so we could show it had bipartisan support.

I dunno!

:shrug:

[AllentownJake]

2. Why the hell do they care?

The bill is going to be hung around their neck good or bad, regardless if 1 or 2 republicans sign onto it.

[QC]

3. Lately she is the de facto president, it seems. n/t

[Oregone]

4. I would think there would be a whole lot more people who would be on the short list

But hey, whatever.

[csziggy]

She's one of the few 'moderate' Republicans left

Which apparently gives her unlimited power to make decisions that affect the lives of every one in the country.

[eleny]

5. I'm not sure exactly why...

But consider the reaction from the right wing against her. So perhaps it's significant in a way that doesn't mean much to you and me. She did break the 100% block against HCR. She could be the crack in the armor. The Repuke leadership can't come before the cameras and assert that "not one single Repub voted for it". And you know how they need to be able to do that.

We like being cats that can't be herded. But they must have the herd marching in unison on this major issue of our time. It must torque them down mightily.

[Davis_X_Machina]

6. Lieberman insurance....

...you need 60 for cloture -- lose Lieberman, you're down to 59, gain Snowe, you're back up to 60.