NYT: Senate Dem leaders “are pressing colleagues to vote with the party on procedural matters … and against any filibuster … even if they intend to oppose the measure in the end when simple majority rules.”

Okay, so that is a New York Times story on the “uphill battle” to pass health care reform:

Senate Democratic leaders have begun to make another argument to lawmakers. They are pressing colleagues to vote with the party on procedural matters related to health care legislation and against any filibuster “” a 60-vote issue “” even if they intend to oppose the measure in the end when simple majority rules.

But the point is we should have the same exact strategy on the clean air, clean water, clean energy jobs bill.  After all, two key swing senators have already said they would vote for cloture on that bill:

• Arlen Specter (D-PA): “No doubt about” voting for cloture on the climate bill
• Sherrod Brown (D-OH) says he won’t filibuster climate bill

And, according to the NYT, there is at least a glimmer that this strategy might work for some on health care:

Senators are usually reluctant to clear the way for a bill they might vote against since they relinquish their most powerful leverage, but the message is evidently reaching some.

“It is difficult to ask someone to facilitate the enactment of legislation with which they disagree,” Mr. Bayh said. “But to move the process forward, to improve things, to get to the point where you can support it substantively, that of course I would be willing to do.”

So I’m going to put Bayh down as a “Yes” for cloture on the climate and clean energy bill.

Related Posts:

• Does the health reform morass hurt prospects for the climate bill?
• Can Obama deliver health and energy security with a half (assed) message?
• Obama: “Those who are betting against this happening this year are badly mistaken,” the Democratic National Committee this week began running TV ads targeting many wavering senators.