Reid: We're Leaning Toward Talking About The Public Option

the republicans? why? has reid gone deaf?

Republicans? So he's discussing how to neuter any public option so that the mythical unity pony of bipartisanship can be ridden? Even though Republicans have given every sign of wanting to kneecap that pony?

That's not leadership, Harry. That's insanity: continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.

This is another bad sign for the public option. Essentially, Reid has conceded that he will not use his maximum leverage to persuade the conservadems. Given that Conrad is allegedly primarily concerned about the costs of health care, it would seem hypocritical NOT to submit a public option bill to the CBO. It will clearly lower the costs of the bill, as the house CBO reports have shown thus far.
The only conceivable positive I can draw from this, is that he is trying to garner at least some republican support for Cloture. Perhaps, if Corporate Dems, such as Lincoln and Conrad will not get on board for a bill with a public option, they will vote for cloture if, let's say, Republicans Snowe, Collins and Voinivich vote for cloture. (ie political cover).
Given the democrats' pusillanimity in advocacy for the public option, they had better be engaging in some productive inside negotiations to justify their silence and ensure a strong end result. 2010 is not about the center, it is about motivating the base, the youth vote and minorities. Passage of a strong health care bill is vital to their turnout.

Reid, by contrast, says he will make the decision about the public option based on negotiations with his members and the White House

I think this shows Reid doesn't want to take all the blame for what comes out. Fair enough. Spread it around. Reid, Senate Dems, the Whitehouse. Got it.

Reid isn't taking members to task publicly for standing in the way of the public option

I guess this means there are dems joining the republicans for a bi-partisan (More bi-partisan than any bill) filibuster. Nice work Reid. Give'em cover. I mean the last thing he'd want to do is work for the best bill, and what's best for the people who will be affected by this bill.

a shame really.

At some point, people in the blogosphere are going to wrap their heads around the concept that the boiler plate talking points a politician regurgitates to the reporters aren't necessarily related to what's really going on.

Of course they're going to say "we're consulting with Republicans" every time a camera is in their face because "bipartisanship" polls well. It doesn't mean they have any illusions about Chuck Grassley's flinty heart growing three sizes or that they've convinced themselves Lucy isn't going to pull the football away this time. Get used to it and get over it. If they actually start trying to sell out all that's good and decent for thirty pieces of silver and a chest of cheap glass beads, you'll hear about it in a leak in almost real time. Until then, don't freak.

That's because Nancy Pelosi has something Harry Reid doesn't.........cajones.

Don't lean, Harry. Stand up straight for the health care for all of us in the public option now.

Gee thanks Harry. You pathetic waste of wimpy space. Please Please......grow a pair and DO something for the American people. Lean? Lean? .........We are going to get a bill that is going to reward again Insurance, Doctors and Drug Companies.....Those that need care? Sorry, you don't have enough Money to play in this game.