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Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., says Democrats need to pass health care reform legislation. But after that, they need to chart a different course, he says.
“I think the President Is going to have to scale back his agenda after we pass health care reform,” he told ABC News in an interview that aired on Good Morning America. “Then I think some of those folks we think are in danger like Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, I think you’ll see they’re gonna win.”
Nelson said “the president’s instincts are right in the mainstream of America. I think he’s allowed the left wing pull him too much in that direction. But he always comes back into the center.”
The Florida Democrat said that “early on, I recommended that he (President Obama) take health care incrementally.” His advice was not taken.
Nelson said he favors the option of having the House pass the Senate bill. But if that won’t work he thinks the Senate can scale back its bill and win some Republican support. He’s been talking to Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and sees a possibility to win her over.
“It would have to be a scaled back bill,” he said. “But I’ll tell you, the Senate bill is a good bill.”
– jpt