GOP effort to mock public option backfires as Dems like idea

By Stephen C. Webster When Senators Tom Coburn and David Vitter decided to make fun of Democratic efforts to pass health reform, they probably did not see this coming.

By proposing an amendment that would require members of Congress to register for public health care if the so-called public option were to pass, the two Republicans hoped to further deter their colleagues from voting in favor.

The hitch in their plan: several Democrats took them seriously.

Speaking to MSNBC on Friday night, Sen. Sherrod Brown explained why he offered to co-sponsor the amendment.

"[With] Sen. Coburn, nine times we said we wanted to co-sponsor," he said. "Usually it takes once and they say yes. I've always accepted that; so has everybody I know in the Senate. Nine times we asked to co-sponsor and their office either just said we'll get back to you or ignored our calls and our emails because it was all a sham. ... They clearly don't like the public option. They were making fun of it. Their whole game is to delay and deceive and to play political games. ... And so, it's just a little partisan game they're playing"

So far, Senators Dodd, Mikulski and Franken have also added their names as co-sponsors.

This video was broadcast by MSNBC on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, as clipped by Crooks and Liars.

This video was published to YouTube on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009.