Americans Still Sharply Divided on Healthcare Reform  —  Opponents more likely than supporters to base their 2010 vote on the issue  —  PRINCETON, NJ — The American people are no less divided on healthcare reform today than they were a month ago.  A new Gallup Poll finds 39% of Americans saying …

How Obama Survived August  —  At the beginning of the month, I predicted that August might turn out be a bloodbath for Democrats.  At the time, the Democratic self-containment on health care had dissolved, cranks were taking over constituent meetings, and that real anxiety about Obama had found …

Why Reform Survived August  —  The August recess began with critics attacking health care reform because of its high price tag.  It ended with critics attacking health care reform because of how reformers proposed to reduce that high price tag.  The intevening weeks were nightmarish …

Key Liberals Willing to Bargain  —  Amid fresh signs that the White House is preparing to back a scaled-down health care overhaul that would only include a public insurance option as a fallback plan, several House liberals told Roll Call that they could support such a bill depending on how it was structured.

Health Compromise Floated Before Obama Speech  —  WASHINGTON — As President Obama and top advisers drafted his eagerly awaited health care speech to Congress, new details emerged Monday about fees and coverage limits under a proposal being floated by the chairman of a crucial Senate committee.

A Bad Day for the ‘Public’ Option  —  Via Jim Geraghty on Twitter: “Politico's Jim Vandehei on CNN: 'There's not going to be a public option in this bill.' Says White House tells him OTR they know it.”  —  Blue Dog Mike Ross of Arkansas comes out against a public option, in a move that may embolden other Blue Dogs: