In other words, we're lost but we're making good time...
We'll slug this out later on the floor, apparently. More time to delay, or let the Blue Dogs scamper away to the shadows rather than be targeted ...
http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/07/28/reid-says-its-premature-to-say-whether-he-backs-public-plan/
Reid says it's 'premature' to say whether he backs public plan
@ 3:46 pm by Michael O'Brien
As the battle rages over whether or not final healthcare reform legislation should include a public (or "government-run") option for consumers, the Senate's top Democrat said Tuesday it'd be "premature" to say whether or not he supports such a provision.
"It would be really premature for me to lay out for each of you what I think should be in this bill," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said in remarks following the weeky Democratic luncheon.
Reid declined to say whether he would be pushing for the public option during negotiations in the Senate, focusing instead on bringing a bill to the floor.
"What I think should be in the bill is something that I will vote according to my conscience when we get this on the floor," Reid explained. "But I have a responsibility to get a bill on the Senate floor that will get 60 votes, so we can proceed to it."
The Nevada Democrat hinted that he may have a preference, but played his cards close to his vest as to what that might be.
"That's my number one responsibility and there are times when I have to set aside my personal preferences for the good of the Senate and I think the country," he said. ...
He is not the Senate's lead Democrat, he is the Senate Democrats spokesperson - and he speaks for a group of very big egos who won't tolerate being told what to do. He seems to be the weakest ego in the Caucus. He will announce whatever resolution the players come to when ever they come to it. He will use whatever parliamentary power he has when he is told to by the wining faction and only when the losing faction agrees to do it that way. He is a tool of the real powers in the Senate and when viewed this way, everything he does finally makes sense. He is most certainly NOT a leader.
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