CONTINUING TO COUNT HEADS…. In the last half-hour, three undecided Dems made official declarations. One offered good news, two did not.
First, the good news. As we talked about in the last post, Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) will switch from “no” to “yes.”
Then, the bad news. Reps. John Tanner and Lincoln Davis, both Democrats from Tennessee, announced they will oppose health care reform. Both also voted “no” in November, but Tanner is retiring at the end of this term and was considered a possible pick-up opportunity. Apparently, it wasn’t enough.
At this point, the number of undecided Dems who have not yet said how they’ll vote is getting pretty small. Here’s a list of members to keep an eye on:
* Marion Berry of Arkansas, who voted for reform in November and is retiring this year
* Rick Boucher of Virginia
* Jerry Costello of Illinois, a Stupak ally
* Kathy Dahlkemper of Pennsylvania, a Stupak ally
* Joe Donnelly of Indiana, a Stupak ally
* Steve Driehaus of Ohio, a Stupak ally
* Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania
* Dan Lipinski of Illinois, a Stupak ally
* Alan Mollohan of West Virginia, a Stupak ally
* Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota, a Stupak ally
* Nick Rahall of West Virginia
* And Bart Stupak of Michigan
Of these, everyone except Boucher voted for the bill in November.
If you’re noticing the possible significance of Stupak and his bloc, we’re on the same page.
Update: As of 2:19, CNN says Pomeroy will vote “yes.”
