Chris Bowers lays out a fairly solid argument in favor of making sure the Progressive Caucus remains firm in their committment to vote against any bill without the public option.
Sixty members of the House have signed a letter to Nancy Pelosi stating that they "simply cannot vote for" health care legislation that does not include a robust public option. Since 60 Progressives plus 178 Republicans represent a clear majority, this Progressive threat has, on numerous occasions, led Speaker Nancy Pelosi to state it is impossible to pass health care legislation through the House without a public option.[...]
The result of this Progressive Block (and yes, the k is intentional) has been actual examples of leftward, strengthening movement in the legislative process on health care. For example, Senator Hagan was forced to do a 180 degree turn on the public option, rather than being able to strip it from the Senate HELP bill ala Colin Peterson. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, Henry Waxman was forced to give back some of the compromises he made to Blue Dogs, instead of Blue Dogs on other committees tacking on even more demands.
As I've mentioned before, reinforcing lawmakers on the public option via phone and email works. The end result was a final House bill with the strong Ways & Means version of the public option included.
Here's the complete list of the House Progressive Caucus. Call and email them. Tell them to stand firm.
Here's the letter containing the 60 progressives who pledged to vote against any bill without the public option.
Now we hope it doesn't come down to the Progressive Caucus joining the Republican in voting against healthcare reform. It's the leverage that we're counting on. Without firm progressive unity on this, there's no point.