With 60 votes yesterday, the US Senate begins debate on a bill to reform health insurance in America. Both Arkansas senators, Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, voted in favor of the matter that began what many anticipate will be a long and contentious process.
Ms. Lincoln’s vote generated a lot of attention in political circles. If you scan the homepage of The New York Times you’ll see this piece on Ms. Lincoln.
Yet the political implications are inescapable. Of the swing-state Democrats struggling with the health care issue, Mrs. Lincoln, a 49-year-old mother of twins who is married to a physician, is one of the few set to be on the ballot next year. Republicans are lining up to oppose her in a state where President Obama performed badly in the 2008 election.
I’m off to host my radio program where we’ll be talking about this. I’ll have more on health care and the free clinic held yesterday in Little Rock a bit later on.