(Well, knock me over with a feather… -Ed.)
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) told reporters today that he would in fact filibuster any health care bill he doesn’t agree with–and right now, he doesn’t agree with the public option proposal making its way through the Senate.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said on Monday the Senate’s sweeping healthcare reform bill would include a government-run insurance plan that lets states opt out of participation if they choose.
Reid said he would send the bill, which combines two pending Senate measures, to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost analysis and begin Senate debate on the measure as soon as the analysts report their findings.
“As soon as we get the bill back from CBO and people have a chance to look at it … I believe we clearly will have the support of my caucus to move to this bill and start legislating,” Reid said…
… Democratic aides said that a “handful” of senators who are skeptical of a public plan likely could be persuaded if not to support it then at least to oppose a Republican filibuster, if the administration were to apply a bit more pressure — or even guidance…
…If the progressives cave, you can kiss any progressive influence on other legislation goodbye. If they stand strong and vote down a bad bill, you can expect a better bill in round two, as well as a chance at voting down other unpopular items, such as war funding.
“At least one senator in the Democratic caucus is blocking a public option – but we don’t know who. That’s because Majority Leader Harry Reid is protecting any senator who wants to join a Republican filibuster of health care reform.
This isn’t just wrong, it’s deeply immoral. If a Democrat wants to filibuster a public option, make them do it in public.”