Washington (CNN) – Senate Democrats struggled to find a way forward on health care legislation Monday in the wake of Sen. Joe Lieberman's announcement that he will oppose a leading compromise proposal Democrats saw as their best way to get the 60 votes needed to pass a bill.
Privately fuming at the Connecticut senator, Democrats wrestled with whether to meet his demand to remove an expansion of Medicare from the bill - a move that would anger liberal Democrats who believe they've already made concessions on a government insurance option.
Democrats "may have to do what Mr. Lieberman wants," liberal Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said to CNN.
Democratic leaders, who had hoped to file procedural motions this week to end debate and begin voting on the bill, called a special caucus meeting for 5:30 pm Monday to assess their bleak situation.
"It's hit a rough spot," acknowledged a Democratic leadership aide who said there is a "decent level of concern" about the fate of the compromise bill.
Asked if Senate leaders are scrambling to find a "Plan C" - something that could attract Lieberman without losing liberals - the aide said they are "working on it."
From CNN Politics
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They need to kick kermit out of the senate
the sooner you kick Lieberman to the curb the better, he is hurting not helping
Translation: Lieberman announced his retirement this past week.
I am a registered Democrat but I never vote a straight ticket. I usually vote my conscience. I agree in this instance with Senator Lieberman and feel he should be commended on his stand. Our so called Democratic Party has swung way too far to the liberal left and is a disgrace to the nation. It seems that the majority of the party are blindly following the misguide direction of our current Markist president.
Throw this guy out of the Democratic Caucas! He uis a Rethuglican at heart! Lie-Ber-Man, you are an Evil Man!
Thank you Senator Lieberman for trying to rein in some of this wasteful spending.
Joe Lieberman is center right just like the majority of Americans. He votes according to the majority of people rather than whatever rediculous party line based on their special interests.
Everyone should grow-up and see the light. Other countries with socialized medicine have very slow economies in the best of times. Show me another country who has done well under the proposed Democrat standards.
thank you Joe for having the courage to stand up to this madness of health care reform. This ruinious legislation is among worst things ever proposed.
It's a shame that on healthcare reform, we have to do it the Democrat way or not at all. The Democrat way of course is takeover, tax and reduce effectiveness and delivery.
That's your problem all you Liberals on this board. We have to do it the Dem way and no other ideas are tolerated, much less see the light of day. When this fails, you will wail like the entitlement babies that you are, but you will have no one to blame but yourselves. (See Tiger Woods)
The attribution line doesn't seem to match the photograph chosen by CNN - both are evidence of bias.
No one man should be allowed to hold up health care reform. If they have to take this to the floor and make him stay in Washington to filibuster then they should do that. I'm sick of Lieberman. He has been out for revenge ever since he didn't get to be the VP... Like it's American people's fault...
Hold firm Senator Lieberman... We don't want socialist Obamacare!
To heck with Lieberman! He so obviously hates the American people, the Democrats should just throw him under the bus: strip him of all the privileges and responsibilities he supposedly gets from caucusing with the Dems – because he doesn't deserve it!
Why should this milk-toast, namby-pamby jerk of a person have so much power in this critical legislation, that effects millions of Americans and a huge segment of our economy?
Just how much money has this jerk taken from the GOP? He's just another political prostitute, who sold himself out a long time ago. Here’s a little Yiddish to help make my point: Lieberman is a putz and a schmuck!
The people of Connecticut need to find a replacement for him ASAP!
Just think this Lieberman almost became a vice President. To all victors eventually comes some spoils. Wake up Connecticut get rid of this Idiot.
Lieberman is a disgrace to our country, this man is sick, he has no heart and concerns about the common folks,
it's time to dump this wolf in sheep's clothing. joe serves no one but special interests. strip him of his chairmanship, kick him out of the democratic caucus. he is still mccain's sidekick.
Time to dump the current bill which does not serve the people in any way, and dump Lieberman at the same time. Let the repubs have him and see how long they put up with his garbage. And time to get this man out of office. He serves no one but himself.
At least we have one Joe in government that knows what he's doing..THANK YOU SENATOR FOR LOOKING OUT FOR ALL AMERICANS, EVEN DEMOCRATS, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO TO THIS COUNTRY.
What exactly does Lieberman have against the American people? He's nothing but a Republican shill, doing their bidding.
What an absolute jerk!
Well, can't say they aren't trying to pass this bill without Reconciliation. But Unless the Liberman Health Care reform plan pops up soon, Deomcrats might not have a choice in light of GOP Joe's continued opposition to key elements of the reform plan.
Senator LIEberman needs to be shown the door!
The good people of Connecticut need to vote this snake out!
I am so horriby ashamed that I once thought Lieberman should represent the U.S. as Vice President. The guy is an embarrassment to this country, to Connecticut, and – for that matter – to humanity. As he lays in bed each night, I hope he is haunted by the visions of his fellow countrymen, who expected and asked more of him. He is a crying shame. His pathetic stalling tactics – one after another – are truly pathetic.
I hope Joe Lieberman gets submarined next election.....old goot.
Joe loves the limelight. He loves to be pampered, prodded and left to feel like he's the only one that is important. I've had enough of Joe. I hope he gets beat next election!
Joe Lieberman is AWESOME!
Lieberman is a bitter old man still seeking revenge on the Democratic party. He could care less about what's good for the country.