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Maine AFL-CIO To Snowe: Get With The Program On The Public Option

Brian Beutler | October 22, 2009, 2:04PM

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AFL-CIO, Filibuster, Health Care, Olympia Snowe, Public Option

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As it happens, the Maine AFL-CIO is holding its convention today. In response to my earlier report that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) does not support a favored opt out compromise, and will likely filibuster a health care bill if it includes a public option, the coalition put their convention into recess so everyone in attendance can call her office to tell her they support a public option.

"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."

Snowe's no stranger to pressure on this issue, both from within her state and without. And that pressure just got ramped up a little bit further.

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wbgonne

October 22, 2009 2:19 PM

No, she doesn't matter or yes she does? Here's the problem: based on Lieberman's speech the other day I can only conclude that he will NOT vote for cloture on HCR with a public option. That means the Dems -- even if everyone else falls into line -- only have 59. Say what you will about it, that may be the reality. Unless Lieberman's mind is changed somehow, the Dems may have find their 60th vote elsewhere. Or go with reconciliation (right after they kick Lieberman out of the caucus).

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Walter Mitty

October 22, 2009 2:35 PM in reply to wbgonne

Or they force the republicans to filibuster for a few weeks and see how that plays out to the general public.

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JohnMcCSF

October 22, 2009 2:22 PM

Hear hear Nate Silver
Why The (Impure) Public Option is (Probably) Gaining Momentum

1. The tireless, and occasionally tiresome(!), advocacy on behalf of liberal bloggers and interest groups for the public option. Whatever you think of their tactics -- I haven't always agreed with them -- the sheer amount of focus and energy expended on their behalf has been very important, keeping the issue alive in the public debate.....
4. The fact that the locus of power has shifted from the Gang of Six -- Bingaman/Conrad/Baucus/Snowe/Grassley/Enzi to the Group of Six -- Pelosi/Dodd/Obama/Reid/Baucus/Snowe...
7. Polls in myriad swing states and swing districts showing the public option is reasonably popular in these regions.
8. Constituent letters and e-mails (and phone calls).

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/10/why-less-pure-public-option-is-possibly.html

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Indie Pro

October 22, 2009 2:39 PM

the coalition put their convention into recess so everyone in attendance can call her office to tell her they support a public option

the afl-cio rocks!

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rwc

October 22, 2009 2:46 PM in reply to Indie Pro

Hey Indie, what do you think? Is a real PO going to make despite the opposition of conservadems and WH because the public pressure is just too great?

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theone718

October 22, 2009 3:12 PM in reply to rwc

We will get an opt out in the Senate. Not sure what the heck will happen in conference though.

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rwc

October 22, 2009 3:58 PM in reply to theone718

Are Indie and theone71 the same?

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Common Sense Caucus

October 22, 2009 2:44 PM

God Bless Unions. Coming off of OFA's massive phone call drive, this is the straw that could break the camel's back.

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fbacon2

October 22, 2009 2:51 PM

Sen. Snowe, your constituents are in Maine. McConnell and Kyl don't represent your state.

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Weeferdog

October 22, 2009 2:53 PM

This sea hag gives not a damn about the 'workers of her state.' She's a REPUBLICAN. They are all alike, differing only in degree. The voters know her name and she plays moderate every six years, so they send her back to DC. It pisses me and millions of others off that Obama and Reid keep kissing her bony ass. Tell her to take a hike, for God's sake.

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