Today, we may learn the answer to two very related, very important questions. First, what will Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) do if his abortion amendment fails? And second, if he decides he’ll join a filibuster, what does that mean for the public option alternatives, currently under discussion. If he’s out, then Democrats need both Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) to back whatever public option compromise emerges from meetings between conservative and liberal Democrats.
This morning, Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), who’s played a key role in these negotiations, told me and one other reporter, “Senator Lieberman and Senator Snowe have been very much involved in discussions not just with me but with a lot of folks on our side, and I’m sure on the Republican [side]…. I think they’re being very constructive.”
That could come as a relief to Democrats and reformers, who’ve noted that neither Snowe nor Lieberman have been participating in the daily public option negotiations. But Democrats better hope they like the ideas being tossed around–a Medicare buy in, an expansion of the system that insures members of Congress, a Medicaid expansion. Because if they don’t, and Nelson defects, then we’re back to square one.
“I’ve made it clear. Nothing’s changed,” Nelson told reporters this morning. “I have not attempted to draw a line in the sand to create conflict. I’ve just stated my position.”
One Senate Democratic aide is optimistic: “With Sen. Nelson showing initial support, this new proposal is headed in the right direction to get the 60 votes we need to pass this bill.” We’ll be watching to see how it all plays out.
