Is The Game Really On For The Public Option?

Open Left's Adam Green makes this catch:

From Rachel Maddow's interview tonight with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:

Maddow: "The private insurance company writ large hasn't done a great job. That's why we want a public option to compete with them. These 18 Democratic senators want to bring that back into the fold. If that happened, would the administration fight for it?"

Sebelius: "Well, I think if it's...Certainly. If it's part of the decision of the Senate leadership to move forward, absolutely." 

Wow. That's news. 

It is.  Sebelius is clearly saying the White House will back the public option if the Senate Dem leadership does.  Chuck Schumer has already signed on.   That means the ball is now in Harry Reid's court.  Green continues:

What will Reid do? If it's up to Nevada voters, the answer's obvious. From reporter Jon Ralson in today's Las Vegas Sun:

Nevadans overwhelmingly against previous health care reform package, but support reconciliation, public option

Those are the results of a poll conducted for the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has been pushing for a public option and its pollster, Research 2000, previously has done work in Nevada to pressure Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Research 2000 also polls in the state for the Reno Gazette-Journal. The poll.

Highlights from the Nevada poll (commissioned by PCCC/DFA/Credo):

• 34% support for current Senate bill (32% of Independents)
• 58% support for public option (61% of Independents)
• 55% support "reconciliation" on health care (64% of Independents)

Seems like a no-brainer to me, Harry.  If the Senate bill puts the public option in through reconciliation, the Dems win.  If you don't, well...

Your choice.