On the Fence Likely Supporters Likely Opponents
9 51 40

On the Fence

Senator

Stance

Home State Data*
Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) Rachel Maddow Show: “Sen. Bayh told us it is extraordinarily unlikely that he would filibuster health reform. He said there is nothing in the bill he is aware of now that would cause him to vote to filibuster and he said that he currently ‘can’t think of a set of circumstances’ under which he would vote against cloture.” (10/29/2009)

“How you do it isn’t quite as important as the fact that you do it.” (09/10/2009)

“Some people argue that we should vote to go forward on a bill even if we don’t like it. [...] I’d like to move forward, but some of that’s going to depend on is it fiscally responsible.” (10/28/2009)

 13.9% uninsured

53% support the public option, 40% oppose
Mark Begich (D-Alaska) “Some people call it a public option, some people call it an exchange, some people call it a co-op. Right now, to be honest, there are not 60 votes for any of those three.” (10/06/2009)

“I guess I don‘t want to put the word ‘public option.’ What I‘d rather say is that there‘s going to be some mechanism, I guess, at the end of the day to ensure that insurance companies are held accountable. … What I don‘t want to have happen is that the bill lives or dies by [the public option].” (09/10/2009)

“He is not committing to supporting a public option.” -Begich’s press secretary (09/02/2009)

 20.1% uninsured
Tom Carper (D-Del.) “I think at the end of the day there will be a national plan probably put together not by the federal government but by a non-profit board with some seed money from the federal government that states would initially participate in because of lack of affordability. The question is should there be an opportunity for states to opt out later on and if so, within a year, within two years, within three years?” (10/22/2009)

“There may not be enough votes to get the bill [that includes Reid's version of the public option] off the floor and get us to conference.” (10/27/2009)

 10.3% uninsured
Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) “I think all of us have recognized throughout that there are three things” — abortion, illegal immigration and the public option — “that could really bring this down.” (11/10/2009)

“I’ve got to see [Reid's 'opt out' proposal] in writing and have scores before I reach any judgment.” (10/27/2009)

“A public option tied to Medicare levels of reimbursement is a non-starter for me because I represent North Dakota.” (10/13/2009)

 10.5% uninsured
Mary Landrieu (D-La.) “I have leverage now, I’m using it to the best of my ability, I’m going to use it on the Senate floor.” (11/20/2009)

“The public option has been shaped 100 percent better than when it started out. So, it’s already shaped to be a public option that is supported by premiums.” (11/04/2009)

“We’re not trying to be Republicans…but we do believe in the free market.” (10/23/2009)

“I am pressing to get a government-run, taxpayer-supported public option out of the bill. I want to rely on a reformed private marketplace — not the current wasteful, abusive, unaffordable private market.’’ (10/22/2009)

“I’m not right now inclined to support any filibuster.” (10/20/2009)

 17.8% uninsured
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) “I can’t see a way in which I can vote for cloture on any bill that contained a creation of a government-operated and run insurance company.” (10/27/2009)

Lieberman said he was “inclined to let the motion to proceed” (or cloture) go forward, but “I haven’t decided yet.” (10/15/2009)

“If the public option plan is in there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote, because I believe the debt can break America and send us into a recession that’s worse than the one we’re fighting our way out of today.” (11/08/2009)

 9% uninsured

64% support the public option, 30% oppose
Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) “Creating another government-funded option is not where we’re going. We don’t need to go there. A government-funded option is something that I think is not the way to go.”(10/27/2009)

“There are many ways to provide greater options and choices to individuals, including non-profits, a state plan, and a co-op plan. … We already have an employer based, private health care system. We are trying to make it more affordable for everyone. We can’t just throw it all out and start over, but we can make it more efficient and more affordable for everyone.” (10/18/2009)

“Senator Lincoln has not committed her vote to anyone, she will have to see the legislative language and cost first and will evaluate it based on its impact on Arkansans.” (Lincoln spokeswoman) (10/26/2009)

 18% uninsured

55% support the public option, 38% oppose
Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) “This weekend, I will vote for the motion to proceed to bring that debate onto the Senate floor. The Senate should start trying to fix a health care system that costs too much and delivers too little for Nebraskans. In my first reading, I support parts of the bill and oppose others I will work to fix. If that’s not possible, I will oppose the second cloture motion — needing 60 votes — to end debate, and oppose the final bill.” (11/20/2009)

“If there’s no public option, perhaps some of the problem [with abortion coverage] goes away.” (11/19/2009)

“What was interesting in the poll numbers that I saw, that while there’s support for public option generally, generically, when you start talking about it specifically as it relates to states being able to opt out or opt in, have their own, the support overwhelmingly goes up to 76 percent.” (10/20/2009)

 11.1% uninsured

39% support the public option, 47% oppose
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) “I’m open to a public option. … It depends on how it’s structured on whether I can support it. … I just haven’t decided.” (10/22/2009)

“I like the opt-out provision, at least what I know about it so far.” (10/28/2009)

“I don’t think you’ll see me or any other Democrats [filibuster a health care bill].” (10/15/2009)

“The truth is, I think, for folks who really know what the public option is, they get more comfortable with it. I think originally some folks branded it as just a government takeover of health care and that’s not what it is.” (10/27/2009)

 18% uninsured

55% support the public option, 38% oppose

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*Uninsured numbers come from 2008 U.S. Census Bureau data.