Stupak, Nelson Remain at Center of Obamacare Fate

Setting the stage for Rep. Bart Stupak’s latest comments on Obamacare is Senator Bob Casey of PA. Casey says the final version will contain the pro-abortion Senate language. When asked about Stupak’s resolve to have his language included instead of the Senate language, Casey said “There is a concern about that, but I think we can reach an agreement between the two houses and get it passed.”

Not so fast, says Stupak. In an interview with the New York Times, Stupak says he and 10-12 House members will vote no unless his pro-life language prohibiting abortion coverage is part of the final bill. “It’s not the end of the world if it goes down,” Stupak says about the entire health care bill. Facing intense opposition and even animosity from his colleagues, Stupak adds, “I get the distinct impression that I’m the last guy the president wants to see.”

Enter Senator Ben Nelson who is becoming shakier by the moment as the debate rages. Unfortunately, Nelson continues to firmly maintain that his abortion language in the Senate bill bans taxpayer funding of abortion coverage, even though it allows states to force taxpayers to fund it. Regarding the overall bill, Nelson now maintains it was a “mistake” for Obama and the Democrats to advocate a health care overhaul when the country is facing mounting economic problems. “I think it was a mistake to take health care on as opposed to continuing to spend the time on the economy,” Nelson told a local newspaper.

In the end, will the Democrats lose Nelson’s key 60th vote? The attempt to buy him off backfired as Nelson is sliced and diced back in Nebraska and polls show him losing badly in a hypothetical 2012 Senate race.

Barbara Lyons