Politico: Since Joe Lieberman, an Independent, has take positions opposing the public option and the Medicare buy-in, he's taking the heat off moderate Democrats. Blanche Lincoln ought to thank him. "They won't say it, but Joe is preventing them from taking a series of tough votes," said this Lieberman ally. "If I'm Blanche Lincoln, I'd consider converting to Judaisim just to thank Joe Lieberman for what he did for me."

What about it, Blanche?

Lieberman says no. He will vote against health care legislation in its current form. Ben Nelson says no as well.

The litmus test

Joe Lieberman on bait and switch in the public option:

“It’s classic politics of our time that if you look at the campaign last year, presidential, you can’t find a mention of public option,” Lieberman said. “It was added after the election as a part of what we normally consider health insurance reform — insurance market reforms, cover people, cover people who are not covered.

“It suddenly becomes a litmus test. I thought Democrats were against litmus tests.”