San Francisco Semantics

" white house of all right this is nothing kind -- senate majority leader Harry Reid less than 24 hours after he announced that government run health insurance option. We'll be part of the health care bill Republicans Democrats and moderates alike are all turning their backs on this plan. And a revolt has thrown open the door for a possible Republican filibuster as it now appears that -- plan has nowhere near the support of sixty senators. Now the first signs of trouble today for Reid came from within the in his own party when moderate Democrats Evan Bayh of Indiana. Ben Nelson of Nebraska both confirmed that they have major concerns with a bill that contains a government option. -- senator Reid has also been fielding complaints from the far left of his party Roland Burris of Illinois is said to be livid at that Reid's plan contains a provision. That could allow states to opt out of the government insurance option if they so choose in fact. The existence of such a provision. Could potentially jeopardize -- to support for the entire bill. Without question that as a vote that senator Reid was counting on but the knockout blow for Prince Harry came just a few short hours ago when senator Joe Lieberman said. He won't just vote against Reid's bill he will in fact join a Republican filibuster to block its passage passage. So the list of moderate senators that have come forward to say they flat out oppose a government option. Now includes Democrat blanch Lincoln and Maine senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe. So can senator reed recover from this very disastrous today we're joined now by Arizona Senator John McCain senator welcome back the program. Thanks for hadn't action -- so current of that yesterday talked about 88 government option. Opt out co -- You know I think for most Americans listening it did to this latest. Invention they come up we'll -- you think that this came from and what it actually needs."

" I do not have a clue fact -- the -- I was. I can but I can. I can tell you that they -- obviously this is not something that that works that court popped out we have an opt out."

" program today is called Medicaid but the fact is that. This this. There seems to be a certain flailing around. I'm looking for something that can get sixty votes and remember there's going to be two -- that are going to be important one. Is some motion to proceed to the bill in other words I moved to the bill and the other one -- vote for cloture or cut off debate on -- on the bill. What he'd like to do is get people to agree to proceed to the bill. Not vote to close off debate and then -- only needs a little over fifty votes like you wanna call it consumer option you -- college and and I can. It's still a government take over my health care system in America."

" Such -- senator nobody would -- who have not being informed about the about the workings of Washington and all -- on the Senate. So -- if you're laughing so you can't tell our audience what a government option opt out coop -- you -- you -- you can explain."

" To me. I cannot explain it to you because Republicans have been completely shot out of any conversations. Or negotiations. And you know that during -- campaign. I wish our viewers could see it over and over again the president saying. We take up health care reform. C -- will be in the room. Republicans will be there and the American people will be able Lucy who's on the side of the pharmaceutical companies and who's on the side of the American citizens. Behind closed doors they cut deals with the pharmaceutical companies -- the hospital people. They tried to cut one -- American Medical Association to -- up. 247. Billion dollars that didn't work. And so it's business as usual there is no change."

" now have you had any opportunity to speak to Harry Reid any Democrat about this to be have you for example been in touch with the president about this. No I think they lost my number. -- not having. Senator I think right now the capital -- and get on me they're not what they're not talking to Republicans that's just the fact. And that's ideally harmful when we're talking about. This kind of legislation of this portion. I -- because this is a reporter I think that we break this down but for the average person has watching out there we're talking about taken over you know 20% the American economy. You can't explain it there's no Republican etiquette can explain it."

" So where do we go from here. Does is Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe and day out for good now it we're aware of seven byways Ben Nelson -- blanch Lincoln -- is Mary land trial. Let drew -- they -- in the process he talk in any of them."

" You know I -- know what -- I have not but I know this Sean assertion. They will do anything necessary to pass legislation so they don't repeat what happened to President Clinton. And his efforts remember Hillary care back in 1994. So please do not discount the fact. That they have over -- majorities and they're gonna try to do what's necessary to pass something but they're having great difficulty. With. All right in the banana option."

" Also the change in name is you're calling -- the -- I like it fair it's as good as any other one -- they keep coming up the names are what about your friend Joe Lieberman your friends -- with senator Lieberman he supported you for president he's threatening to join a Republican filibuster. What is he telling you."

" Well they tells me what he said publicly and that is that. Given this proposal as he -- CNN -- that he would not vote to cut off debate which is as I mentioned. Not critical role the final passage they only need 51 votes they need sixty to cut off debate -- you know an Nvidia. Filibuster that's what he is saying are we -- and he is tonight a man of honesty integrity and one of the finest men I've ever known in my life."

" You're talking about the cloture vote but the but usually in the past it I mean you even see it and getting the sixty votes. A culture where -- rid of those votes come from."

" They -- Wheeling and dealing and negotiating. And buying different interest to put pressure. On members of the Senate as we speak. Please do not discount the fact that there are sixty Democrats. And that's all they have to corral an obvious -- but my little while they had senators now minus Joe Lieberman so they don't really have sixty. Well -- You know look all -- what I'm told -- have not been invited in nation nobody brings people ambulances what do you need. Like he did with the doctors AMA trying to buy -- for 247 -- didn't work and voted it down."

" guy and said what do you need there's an enormous amount of Wheeling and dealing and pressure senator present as well."

" Yeah I wouldn't think about the so we -- really what you're saying and that this I think is very profound. That they're gonna use taxpayer money they gonna bring in any wavering senator."

" And then had to -- what do you need what did what -- a barrel project he indeed need to be a district and the getting used taxpayer money."

" What is the difference between that and driving somebody to do something."

" That sounds like -- right."

" When -- and it happens here in the capital -- they're overdoing it with individual senators they're bringing in groups like their pharmaceutical. Companies as they didn't -- Look will we'll let you well we'll be against pick re importation of drugs from Canada and we'll we'll give me this isn't even that. Yeah that would give -- this from -- that provide enough the special interest and frankly. And the American Medical Association -- it is -- is it isn't the moral equivalent of a bribe. I guess it's an eye of the beholder but I don't think it's I don't think it's -- pride. But I think it's a very terrible way to do business. All right senator it's it's shocking this is this is government inaction then we'll watch a social links. Yes and I mention one other issue yes -- Fourteen people -- young Americans died this -- and more today. They have eight more today it's time to make a decision and send those troops area and the longer we delay. The more there in harm's way and endangered in the times so it's time to act and -- Accept any implement gentleman crystal strategy and it's gonna take time to do it."

" I I can't agree with -- more and the quote Dick Cheney -- dithering and these these guys obviously need help -- this recommendation was back in August time for the president to make a decision. Thank you senator thanks -- overdue. Thank you back and just to remind of."