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| Obama Bucks up Democrats on Health Care |
| By abcnews.go.com |
| Published: 01/28/2010 |
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Some congressional Democrats are seizing on President Barack Obama's fresh call for a sweeping health care overhaul as a message to show resolve and get the legislation done. Yet doubters remain. After a week of turmoil, due in large part to the Massachusetts special election that denied them their filibuster-proof Senate majority, a few Democrats said the president's strong boost for health care in his State of the Union address Wednesday stiffened their spines. "I heard him basically issue a call to arms to renew the fight for health care reform," Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said. Whether it was enough remains to be seen. Some Democrats, particularly moderates, were still gloomy about the health care bill's chances even after hearing Obama's request: "Don't walk away from reform. Not now. Not when we are so close." "It was near dead. I think the president brought it back to life," Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., said. "But I don't know that the Congress has the appetite to continue to fight." Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., put the odds of passing a comprehensive bill at "less than 50-50." Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said, "No speech can untie that Gordian knot" — referring to the complexities confronting Democrats as they consider how to untangle far-reaching bills passed separately by the House and Senate now that they lack the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate. Republicans are practically unanimously opposed. Read More. |
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