In a heated debate over the Senate health care bill with former DNC chairman Howard Dean on Hardball tonight, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) said, "There are things I don't like about the bill, but this is the closest we've come in 40 years to doing something good for the American people, and we shouldn't get weak-kneed at this moment."
Dean, who's lambasted the current health care bill, argued that the bill put Americans' money in the pockets of the health insurance industry.
He also addressed issues surrounding Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who has blocked Democrats' efforts to include a public option and Medicare buy-in in health care reform.
Lieberman is not the issue. He can do what he wants. This is about having a health care bill for America. If we were Republicans this bill would be done.
Landrieu retorted that the Democrats "are tough enough," and that, "there is plenty of reform left in this bill and there is still plenty left to fight for." Landrieu said the bill strengthens Medicare and provides free preventative care for the first time.
In my state alone, one million people that do not have insurance today will have health care coverage. That's something to fight for.
Landrieu also acknowledged criticism that goodies for her home state were stuffed into the bill to help ensure her support. Landrieu insisted that no one could "buy my vote."
Here's some video of their exchange.
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