White House telling Dems they won't stand alone after health care vote

By By The Associated Press

Story Created: Mar 17, 2010 at 5:47 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2010 at 5:47 AM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) - White House aides say President Barack Obama and his senior advisers are making clear to Democratic lawmakers that they will not be left standing alone in the coming election if they vote for health care overhaul legislation.

House Democratic leaders are still short of the 216 votes they need and have been trying to keep wavering lawmakers in line. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has summoned female Democrats to her office for a meeting Wednesday morning.

One who voted against the House bill last year scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce how he will vote. Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich has been pushing for a larger government role in health care, but he has been lobbied hard by Obama to vote "yes" this time.

Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says it looks like things are on track for a vote either Friday or Saturday and she's confident the votes will be there to pass the bill.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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