Swing Voters To Play Trump Cards In Senate Showdown

latimes.com — With Republicans almost unanimously opposed to a healthcare overhaul and with 60 votes needed to thwart a threatened GOP filibuster, every Democrat and independent has become vital for Senate strategists. And so like a cloud of mosquitoes, lawmakers are making their presence felt -- claiming a central role in the debate and suggesting a variety of legislative provisions and concessions they would like in return for their support when a final vote is taken. "When you need that big a majority, every individual member has clout," said William Schneider, the veteran political analyst who works for Third Way, a centrist think tank. "Particularly those who are on the fence, moderate Republicans and moderate Democrats. Everyone whose vote is at all up in the air can be decisive."

Read Full Article »