My skepticism about the validity of the 50 vote whip count list continues.  Michael Capuano’s office just released this statement:

As Congress continues to debate health care reform the most publicized aspect of the discussion relates to whether or not a public insurance option should be part of any reform package. I strongly support such an option. However, I have never signed a pledge regarding proposed legislation and I never will.   I cannot predict the form in which a bill will be presented for my vote.  To commit to support or oppose would, thus, compromise the independent judgment I am elected to exercise.  

Capuano was at the top of the "leaning yes" list.  Of course, so was Carolyn Maloney — who had already released a statement saying she’d vote for Kent Conrad’s co-op plan if it came to that, at which point Howard Dean promptly endorsed Kirsten Gillibrand for her support of a public plan.

I don’t know why anyone thought floating that list served any good purpose, but we’ve contacted about 20 offices so far today and haven’t found one member besides Woolsey who agreed to vote against a bill that doesn’t conform to the CPC principles.  And we’re hearing a lot of members are pissed.