9/8/09: TWD's Agenda For The Day: Who Hands Is The Public Option In?

The question really begs like no other at this point. One answer maybe getting it out of the hands of the ultimate lobbyist puppet

Though they were largely closed out of negotiations over health care legislation for the last several weeks, some members of the Senate Finance Committee--including Sens. Schumer, Rockefeller, and Kerry--do support a public option. But though Baucus' draft falls far short on that score, they'll almost certainly vote to move it forward anyhow.

"If they vote against it, it won't be in the Finance committee," says a Senate Democratic aide.

Once it's out of committee, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will take the lead in merging it with legislation voted out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee--and at that point, the fate of the public option in the Senate will be largely in his hands.

Many observers expect that he'll affix a public option to a trigger, which will be pulled years down the line if insurance companies don't lower prices and expand access on their own.

After his speech with the kids, Obama will meet with Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the progressives caucus today.

The game of chicken, being played today. At stake......the public option.

The most important day in legislation this year, no question about it.