Public Option Reporting And Activism Updates

by: Chris Bowers

Thu Jun 04, 2009 at 11:07

1. Up to 37 Senators In Favor Of Public Option: Last night, a reader from Washington wrote in to say that he had called Senator Patty Murray's office concerning her support for the public option. The reader reported that Senator Murray was "open to a public option as an alternative to private insurance." Given that Senator Murray is currently listed as "Don't Know" on the "Stand with Dr. Dean" crowdsourcing page on the public option, that adds one more to the total in favor of the public option. This brings the total to 37, only 13 away from passage with reconciliation and a tie-breaking vote from Vice-President Biden.
   

   Great work! If you want to contact any of the 22 remaining Democratic Senators who are currently "unknown" on the public option, choose from a list here. The page has both email and telephone contacts. We only need 13 of those 22 Democrats, and Al Franken should be able to provide one of the votes soon. This is a winnable fight.

2. Kennedy trying to score Enzi: There had been talk of Senator Ted Kennedy releasing his health care plan, which will frame the Senate discussion on health care from the left, back on Monday. I have heard that the reason for the delay in the release of his plan is that he is trying to convince Republican Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi to be a co-signer. The idea is that Enzi would add a bi-partisan flavor to the bill.

   Now, this may seem like a longshot, but there are still two reasons it is a good move from Kennedy. First, if Enzi did sign, then it would practically guarantee passage of Kennedy's bill, as it would outflank many reluctant Democrats and even a few reluctant Republicans. Second, even though he is a stalwart progressive, Kennedy is actually considered the most bipartisan Senator by Republicans. If anyone can pull this off, it is Kennedy.
   

   On the off chance that you happen to either be from, or currently living in, Wyoming, give Senator Enzi a call at 202-224-6441. You can also send him an email here. Ask him to co-sponsor the Kennedy health care reform plan.