Ten people who could decide health care reform

From Politico:

At this point, a yearlong health reform effort will live or die in Congress by a few votes that go one way or the other, all in the next few weeks.

President Barack Obama knows this as well as anyone, which is why on Thursday he invited a mix of House Democrats — some of the most liberal, and some of the most conservative — to the White House, where he told them to do whatever they can to rally support among their fellow members.

And since it appears that the president won’t attract a single Republican vote, wavering Democrats should brace themselves for plenty of attention — from the voters, their leaders and Obama himself, who, a spokesman said, wants a House vote by March 18.

Here is a list of the people who will help determine whether Democrats can get a health reform bill through, and the issues that are causing them heartburn:


Indiana Rep. Brad Ellsworth — looking to move up in the world

Sen. Evan Bayh’s decision to retire could hurt Democrats in more ways than they thought if Ellsworth, the party’s leading candidate to fill his seat, decides to vote “no” on the final bill.

After all, Ellsworth’s “yes” vote proved critical in November, but failure to resolve the abortion question could provoke him to jump ship, because Indiana remains a conservative state in which the religious right holds powerful sway.

And if Ellsworth goes, what’s to keep fellow Indiana Reps. Joe Donnelly and Baron Hill on board? (my emphasis-SP)

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/33957.html#ixzz0hL8JSL2t

Just how "blue" are these Blue Dogs? -SP