Help Keep Senate Democrats In Line on Health Care Reform

You know how we've been gnashing our teeth all summer over the failure of Harry Reid and President Obama to bring the hammer down on Senate Democrats who vote against their own party to support repug filibusters? Filibusters that would have no chance at all with just the 40 repug senators, but succeed because of Democratic support?

Well now it seems that a couple of high-powered Democrats have reached the end of their rope and are handing Reid a club to beat the traitors back into line. And you can help them.

Rachel Maddow broke some amazing news last night on MSNBC:

"Two major powerbrokers on the left…are encouraging a Senate strategy in which the leadership would revoke chairmanships and other leadership positions from any Democrat who sides with a Republican filibuster to block a vote on health reform."

Click here to watch the video -- and sign a petition to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in support of this idea.

We'll deliver the petition signatures to Harry Reid next week after a big news conference in front of the Senate.

What does this proposal mean? In general, it means Democrats need to be Democrats!

Republicans are planning to use the Senate "filibuster" procedure to block a vote on health care reform. But if all Senate Democrats stick together, a clean up-or-down vote will take place.

This means 51 votes -- not "60 votes" -- would be needed to pass reform. And winning a public health insurance option would be very likely.

It's critical that Harry Reid sees immediate support for this idea -- please sign the petition tonight and tell your friends.

Which senators would feel pressure from this proposal? All the senators who are siding with the insurance companies and opposing the public option: Max Baucus (D-MT), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) are some examples.

Let's send a clear message: It's not OK for Democratic senators to join with Republicans to block a vote on health care. Period.

Please click here sign the petition today -- and then tell your friends.

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

Click here, sign the petition, pass it on.