We have the "primary them" list. Let's pull the "trigger" on them.

It's real simple. The corporate whore Democrats who supported the insurance industry instead of the people on this vote need primary challenges. I dont' care if they vote for Schumer's version or even if they end up voting for a public option in the end. They have made their true loyalties known and they should be justly rewarded by being thrown out of office. Only when this is done will the Democrats in Washington DC understand that the people will no longer put up with this bullshit. Once Republican Party is more than enough thank you. We don't need half the Democratic Party being closet Republicans.

Is there any reason to believe that the five listed there would flip on a softer public option, such as Schumer's or the "level playing field" public option?

Have any of the public option proponents indicated they'll vote against a bill without a public option when the bill goes to a full committee vote?

Wheeee!

Just in time, cause the terrorists have the plane.

I hope the democraps enjoy their majority while it last. There is NO WAY in hell I'll support them in 2010.
Sell out forsale!

If there is no primary challenger available, the people in the relevant states who support public option should vote against the incumbents.

And where was our beloved leader during this? Out twisting arms I suppose for the Chicago Olympics. Fuck the majority of the people in this country, what's important is making the rich richer. I'm sure these traitors will vote for the passage of a law mandating that everybody must buy health insurance. What a fucking robbery.

The majority of have 'taxation without representation'.

You'll never primary out a Senator, there is just too much money there and if they lose the election it will be to a Republican AND that bought-and-paid-for Democratic Senator will just go work for the health insurance industry for gobs of money.

Quite the system we have ourselves here. Maybe it's time to join the teabagger movement.

The Finance committee was never going to pass any of this. The real battle is in the House and then in conference.

Are there any true Progressive Democrats in the Senate? And, if so why aren't they on the Finance Committee?

can someone help me with something? if, for some reason the committee cannot pass a bill with a public option, that doesn't mean the public option is dead, does it? it can be added in later during the conference committee stage, right?

History is watching.

Fucking Voting WITH Republicans. DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to vomit. The SHAME!!!!

These five Senators have one more chance to redeem themselves with the upcoming Schumer Amendment.

If they don't, their political careers as Democrats will be over.

The financial and intellectual base of the Democratic Party will NEVER forget it.

Let's all take a moment to breathe. This is exactly what has been expected for months. AND we should expect that when the HELP bill and this one are merged, there won't be a public option in that bill either. The House bills will then be voted on and will have a PO. THEN it will get interesting to see what comes out of conference. Any pressure to be exerted needs to be addressed to the people who will be working on that conference, and on Dems that seem to be hesitant to vote for cloture.

In the mean time, a serious challenge needs to be addressed to any Dem. who utters the term "level playing field." It is nothing more than a Rep. / industry talking point. This country needs a health care with two primary changes: lower costs and guaranteed access. No one, in a year or two, other than those dependent on the status quo really will care what the government does or does not do, if they get those two things. If private health care can't compete, then the insurers can take their place on the scrap heap of history. If they can, they will be more regulated and end up looking like the plan that exists in Switzerland.