Below, pool report from
Christina Bellantoni, Senior reporter, Talking Points Memo
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) scrum quotes – about 2 mins. News toward bottom.
Pool Q:
“Do you the public option will come up at all today?”
Durbin A: “It might … We’ve kind of been through this battle in the
Senate … and you lose a handful of Democratic votes on the public
option.” (Adds he supports public option)
Q: How do you think it’s going?
A: “I think it’s going well. The president is really doing his very best
to find some basic common ground … He’s identified some key
principles” where there is some agreement
Q: Any surprises so far?
A: “No. Working with these people for a long time, I could give some of
their speeches and they could give mine.”
Q: Expect bipartisan deal to form? Are differences being bridged?
(Paraphrased, off mic)
A: “It’s a longshot.”
“It’s possible.”
“I’m glad the president is trying, the American people want him to try
to find some common ground … I hope we get it done.”
Pool Q: “What happens tomorrow?”
Durbin A: “If nothing comes of this we’re going to press forward. We
just can’t quit. This is a once in a political lifetime opportunity to
deal with a health care system that is really unsustainable …”
Pool Q: Does reconciliation start tomorrow?
Durbin A: “I wouldn’t go that far. We will sit down in leadership and if
we have some helpful Republicans, this could be an easy assignment. But
if not, it could be a little harder.”
***
Christina Bellantoni
Senior reporter
Talking Points Memo