Snowe Opposes Op-Out Public Option (And Would Likely Filibuster It)

by Josh Orton, Thu Oct 22, 2009 at 11:39:00 AM EDT

Beutler gets the scoop, and it's not a huge shock:

In a huddle with reporters moments ago, I asked Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) for her thoughts on a public option compromise that would allow states to opt out of a national government insurance program, and her answer could slow down the proposal's considerable momentum.
"I don't support that," Snowe said.
Asked further whether she would participate in a filibuster on a bill with a public option, she went almost all the way.
"I've said, I'm against a public option...yes...it would be difficult" to support allowing the bill to proceed to a vote.

I read this as a reasonably clear promise to filibuster a bill that contains an opt-out public option (and just as reports tell us that Reid is leaning toward just that provision).

Whether Snowe's objection will dilute the bill is up to the White House. How much do they care about token Republican support?

Tags: health care reform, Olympia Snowe (all tags)

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And the Maine AFL-CIO starts to pound on Snowe

As it turns out the Maine chapter of the AFL CIO is having their state wide convention today. As soon as the heard about Snowe's stance they recessed and hit the phones to her office.

TPM

"Senator Snowe's constituents in Maine want and deserve a robust public option," said AFL-CIO spokesman Eddie Vale. "Workers from across the state were gathered for their state AFL-CIO convention and will all be calling her directly in support of one."

If you live in Maine follow the AFL-CIO's lead and give Snowe a call to either get on board with the PO or get the hell out of the way.

Snowe' s contact info:

Phone: (202) 224-5344
Toll Free: (800) 432-1599
Fax: (202) 224-1946

by jsfox 2009-10-22 12:21PM | 0 recs

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Re: Snowe Opposes Op-Out Public Option

Its not a question of Token Republican Support. It is a question of having, or not having, 60 votes to get cloture. The first thing we have to do (wanna bet we won't?) Is force the Republicans to actually hold the floor rather than just concede the issue because we lack 60.

Of course, all of that is only relevant if we don't have 60. So,I ask, do we have 60 votes?

by JDF 2009-10-22 12:36PM | 0 recs

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if Reid were doing his job

we should have 60 votes for cloture.

Either way, though, Snowe's comments should kill the opt-out idea. It's clearly not going to make it a bipartisan bill, and it would punish a lot of people in the states that opt out.

by desmoinesdem 2009-10-22 12:42PM | 0 recs

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Reid Has the Votes, Supposedly!

The final bill should contain a PO, with an opt-out for the states.

All Democratic right-wing gas-bags like Lincoln, Baucus, Nelson and Landrieu will first vote to block the filibuster, and then vote to strip the bill of the PO.

Thus, the bill will have 60 votes to fend off the filibuster, but conservative ass-hats can vote to strip the bill of it's PO.

Then in conference committee with the House, we get rid of the opt-out, and the dirty-four vote against the final bill.

Dems can afford to lose up to 8 or 9 Senators on the final bill so long as we get it past the filibuster.

The one I worry about the most is Lieberthug. He's not a Democrat at all, but a "CT for Lieberman" Independent. He can do anything he wants. And he doesn't like the PO.

Haven't heard much from him, but hopefully he can be bought.

by Cugel 2009-10-22 05:04PM | 0 recs

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Re: Snowe Opposes Op-Out Public

Snowe's officially off the reservation. She also wants to delay the bill past Christmas... Even the White House won't agree to that!

by LordMike 2009-10-22 01:11PM | 0 recs

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Re: Snowe Opposes Op-Out Public Option...

Snowe may well vote against cloture but words now are cheap, especially when she leaves herself wiggle room like she has so far. If she would rather not be put in a position of having to support a filibuster against health care reform, why not try the easy way out first and hopefullly threaten your way into getting changes you want before it ever gets to that point?

There is a strategy in poker I think we are all familiar with. It's called bluffing. Bluffing is only effective because it is hard to know for sure when someone is in fact bluffing, but Snowe doesn't even need to lay any chips down on the table now to try to bluff things her way. She said it would be extremely difficult for her to vote for cloture on a bill that included an opt out public option. Later, if she wants, she can say it was extremely difficult to kill health care reform by not voting for cloture on debate of a bill that includes an opt out public option. She had NOTHING to lose by saying what she did now but potentially much to gain if Democrats cave to her threats.

by Tom Rinaldo 2009-10-22 02:07PM | 0 recs