Public option, popular in swing districts: 60 votes. The loathed Ben Bernanke, popular with bankers: 50.

We get it.

A new Research 2000 poll conducted for Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America shows that the American people still overwhelming favor a public option. The poll was conducted in 10 swing districts currently held by Democrats. QUESTION: Would you favor or oppose the national government offering everyone the choice of a government administered [...]

From the Wall Street Journal: “F—ing retarded,” Mr. Emanuel scolded the group, according to several participants. He warned them not to alienate lawmakers whose votes would be needed on health care and other top legislative items.

Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are working on a set of “fixes” to the Senate bill that they hope to pass using reconciliation as part of their “sidecar” strategy. Instead of going for a strong set of popular proposals that could possibly convince some Americans to support reform, the leaders’ stated goal is to change [...]

Polling shows the House bill’s elements are much more popular than the Senate bill in swing districts. “Some elements of the bill are popular” is a foolish mantra to justify not fixing a bad bill. FDL call reports say Raul Grijalva will keep his word and vote “no” on the Senate bill, and so will [...]

If you think your member of Congress is someone we should help, please nominate them (you have to be a resident of the district to nominate a member). The deadline is midnight tonight. We’ll start the voting tomorrow, which will be open to the entire community.

Nominate your member of Congress for the FDL 2010 election support program.

FDL Activist Patrick from Arizona called Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s office and confirmed that Rep. Grijalva (AZ-07) will not vote for the Senate health care bill.  From Patrick’s report: I called and added personality to the script so it didn’t sound like I was reading verbatim.  Representative Grijalva will be voting AGAINST the Senate Health Care Bill. More [...]

Marion Berry takes a swipe at Obama on his way out the door: Berry recounted meetings with White House officials, reminiscent of some during the Clinton days, where he and others urged them not to force Blue Dogs “off into that swamp” of supporting bills that would be unpopular with voters back home. “I’ve been [...]

There are two legitimate paths to passing health care reform that use reconciliation. One is a reconciliation sidecar, and the other is a brand new bill using only reconciliation. This reconciliation-only option appears to have the support of DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen, who thinks the Senate bill is politically toxic. If Democrats go this [...]

I have heard a dangerous mantra being repeated by the Senate bill apologists in many different forms. The goal of the consistently uttered mantra seems to be to trick those inside the Washington bubble that the Senate health care bill is, in fact, secretly popular, but the American people are too dumb to realize it. [...]