Cantwell's weak public option may turn out to be a very smart strategic move.

[pnwmom]

If the finance committee's bill comes out with ANY kind of public option, that will probably mean that every bill coming out of either the Senate or the House will have a public option. So when the Senate and the House work on reconciling their different bills, the bottom line is that it will include a public option. At that point, it will be much easier to move to the robust option that is preferred by the House and many in the Senate.

It's not over till it's over.

[The Magistrate]

1. A Sound Analysis, Ma'am

[BlooInBloo]

2. We're winning, despite Cantwell's bullshit.

[Orsino]

10. I don't know if we're winning...

...but keeping the possibility of a win alive would be a major, if unsung, accomplishment.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. That was my thinking

of course there is also the ... states can do it...

Saskatchewan...

Not my preferred way, but hey...

Regardless the battle just begun when this comes out and is signed. Trust me, it will stink...

[bluestateguy]

4. They key is to have a public option that has thepotential to grow

Don't forget that Social Security was not a universal program when it started, but gradually that is how it evolved. We may have to settle for the same thing with the PO.

[lamp_shade]

5. It's far from great... true, but it's introduction was very cleverly timed IMO. She's been

working on it (revising it) furiously for several days (since the 2 PO amendments were flushed). I think she set up a desk right outside the door. It's been fascinating to watch the whole process. Baucus took mostly all repub amendments Thurs morning, knowing that Cantwell's amendment would be brought out right after lunch followed immediately by Shumer's amendment. It appeared that the repubs (Kyle) were all set to pounce on the Cantwell amendment immediately but Shumer threw a wrench into their plans. Boy were they pissed. "We're supposed to take turns" Kyle said. Baucus reminded them that the whole morning was devoted to repub amendments. Stabenow dropped a couple of "That's why many of us are for the public option" bombs on them. She was great. I was impressed with the way the whole debate was timed. I could go on.

[pnwmom]

6. I'd be happy for you to "go on."

I would have like to have been a fly on those walls.

[lamp_shade]

7. I've watched nearly every minute and here are a few observations, tho there are

plenty here who would disagree with me. Cantwell was always about 30 seconds late for every vote. I believe that's because she was out in the hallway pounding away at her amendment. She did an outstanding job, was able to answer every question, and was given huge kudos from Baucus for the thorough job she did. IMO, he set that amendment up. Kyle's head nearly exploded. Stabenow consistently had the last word before any amendment went to vote. It appears she was assigned this task. She put the "common American's" face on each amendment and occasionally threw a dig. For example, on at least two occasions yesterday alone, repubs made statements about lack of competition and people needing more choices. She jumped on each with "that's why most of us support the PO". On soooo many occasions, the simple solution was the PO and I think by the end of the debate that was a hell of a lot more obvious than it was at the beginning. Lincoln was very careful to only vote down amendments that she knew were going down anyway, thereby "saving face" as the tough-ass she likes to be thought of as. I think Snowe had a bad day, especially after the Cantwell amendment was laid on the table. She appeared confused and frustrated. Her arguments weren't making sense and she started defending stupid repub amendments, something she hadn't been doing theretofore. Just before they broke for dinner, she offered up an angry rant which didn't make any sense at all. I'd guess that 85% of the amendments the repubs offered were voted down and I believe the final committee bill on Tuesday(?) will get NO republican support, including Snowe. Baucus knew this from the git-go IMO. I think the guy knows what he's doing. We'll find out over the next couple of weeks. I predict reconciliation.

[pnwmom]

9. I'm keeping my fingers crossed till the end of the year. Unless something

good happens before then.

[MoJoWorkin]

8. Yes, I totally agree.

At this point, just getting the damned bill out of committee is what we needed in order to move on; but slipping the Cantwell thing in at the last, is definitely a "strategic move," as you suggest.