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Washington (CNN) -- Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman said Tuesday he would join a Republican filibuster to block the final vote on any health care bill that has a government-run public health insurance option.
Lieberman's vote is crucial to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's hopes of passing a health care bill that includes the controversial public option. Reid announced Monday he would send to the full Senate a health care bill that has a public option but also allows states to opt out of that provision.
Lieberman said he would support a vote to launch debate on the health care bill but would oppose a motion to end debate if the public option remains in the legislation. Democrats would need 60 votes in the 100-member Senate to close debate on the bill, and the Democratic caucus has 60 members, including Lieberman.
"I can't see a way in which I can vote for cloture on any bill that contained a creation of a government-operated and run insurance company," the Connecticut senator said. "It's just asking for trouble."
Also Tuesday, two other conservative-leaning Democratic senators, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, said they would decide how to vote once they see the final bill.
"I'm not going to make any kind of commitment until I see the bill," Nelson said, adding that he has not given Reid any assurance or "secret" acknowledgment of support.
Reid needs the support of Lieberman, Nelson, Landrieu and several other conservative or moderate caucus members to ensure that he has enough votes to prevent Republicans from blocking action on a health care bill. His Republican counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, on Tuesday promised a filibuster against both introducing the health care bill and later closing debate on it.
"Well, it's fairly routine around the Senate that controversial matters require 60 votes," McConnell told reporters. "I mean, there's no question it'll require 60 votes to get on the bill and it'll require 60 votes to get off the bill."
Finally some real Hope and Change I can believe in. Nothing getting done, no new laws or bills, maintaining the Status Quo!
We need to shrink this obscene government of ours not expand it!
Originally posted by WTFover
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Finally some real Hope and Change I can believe in. Nothing getting done, no new laws or bills, maintaining the Status Quo!
We need to shrink this obscene government of ours not expand it!
Bravo! I just hope ol' Joe holds his ground. You just never know, though. If he does, I expect others to band with him.
Originally posted by dooper
I'm a staunch Conservative, but while I disagree with him on some things, I've always liked Joe Lieberman.
It seems that on many of the very important things that would be detrimental to the US, he stands his ground against the more destructive proposals.
It is this very courage that leads him to be an independent when his Democratic Party crapped all over him.
Good for Joe. He won again, and apparently, still knows up from down.
Good thread, Proto!
Originally posted by j2000
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler
It's a good thing that "We the People" stood up to their BS and let them know where we stand on some of these issues.
I hope this deal is dead, but it's too bad they could at least pass some tort reform and open up the state boarders, conciedering that is what the damn Feds are suppose to do anyways. Regulate Commerce between states..............??..Not stop it between states.
Originally posted by dooper
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler
So Proto, if I have this right, you're suggesting that I don't come across as a liberal pacifist?
This is the God's truth - I didn't even think of Lieberman as having a special interest in Israel. I usually don't think in those terms, and until you pointed it out - I didn't even think of it.
I agree that mid-term elections are going to be reflective of the scorecard the American people are going to grade Obama and the Democratic leadership, and especially address many of the RINO's.
I too, live in Florida, in the Panhandle, and you can bet there's going to be a lot of voters voting that did not grow up on the dole.
God help us all if nothing changes.
Originally posted by JayinAR
reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler
Hmmm... I can see that being the case. I was thinking that it was Reid himself that was saying he wouldn't present a bill with a public option.
Perhaps it WAS always intended, but the rhetoric was out there nonetheless. Or at least I thought.
Either way, I like Lieberman's spunk, but I don't trust any of them enough to say they won't bend more easily than you give him credit for.
I remember how that Bailout Proposal turned out. Almost unanimous first go... Add some pork and viola! The official introduction of the Federal Reserve as the Fourth Branch of Government.
These people are clowns. Easily bought and paid for. They sold what was left of the soul of this nation to the banksters.
I have no love for them.
Originally posted by jam321
One of the things I don't like about all of this is the way Congress is being so secretive about what they are putting together.
Basically, nobody knows what the bill entails and it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to pass it just to prove they can get one passed.
If they are intent on passing it, so be it. But the least they could do is be honest with us and tell us what the real deal is.
Lieberman needs to be careful. They will come down on him.