Hoffa: I Could Accept Reform Without Public Option

Two weeks ago, International Brotherhood of Teamsters leader James Hoffa warned Blue Dog Democrats they were making a big mistake by opposing the President's health care reform proposal--and in particular, the public option.

"A lot of these people we supported, and I think they're making a big mistake by not supporting the president," Hoffa told Bill Press

Yesterday, he made a big concession to them, telling Bloomberg that dropping the public option is "not a deal killer."

"We've got to find out what's doable," Hoffa said.

The Teamsters are affiliated with the labor federation Change to Win, which has taken a less aggressive approach to the public option in recent days. AFL-CIO's incoming president Richard Trumka has said his group will oppose health care reform legislation that does not include a public option, and will not support Democrats who oppose the measure.