Rockefeller Says Democrats Can’t Tailor Health Care to Snowe

[jeffbr]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=abuv6QZiPPrA

Rockefeller Says Democrats Can’t Tailor Health Care to Snowe

Oct. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Senator Jay Rockefeller said Democrats shouldn’t tailor a health-care overhaul to the wishes of Republican Senator Olympia Snowe and need to push for legislation that includes a government-run insurance program.

“We can’t sort of hedge and say ‘what’s Olympia going to do,’” Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, said in an interview on Bloomberg Television’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” airing this weekend. “We’ve got to decide what we want.”

Snowe, who this week voted for an $829 billion finance committee bill, is the only Republican to back an overhaul plan. Keeping the Maine lawmaker on board as the legislation moves through the Senate may help attract Democrats facing re- election battles and possibly other Republicans.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is trying to craft a final measure that satisfies conflicting demands of his party, such as whether to include a government-run plan.

“If we calculate so finely and so exquisitely, we’re going to lose our leadership and our momentum,” said Rockefeller, 72. “And right now yes, we did get her vote. As she said yes for this one, it doesn’t mean for the next round of votes.”

[babylonsister]

1. Ms. Woolsey said the same thing: It's not all about Snowe. nt

[tblue]

2. Who made her God?

I am tired of hearing her name. Thank you, Senator Snowe, for your tepid endorsement of health care reform. You are now excused.