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Landrieu Says She'd Likely Oppose 'Public' Option in Health Care Bill

11:50 AM, Aug 27, 2009 • By MARY KATHARINE HAM
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She was speaking at an open luncheon with limited seating (not a town hall), and was greeted by a small group of protesters. Her line on health care and cap and trade cannot be music to the administration's ears:

Landrieu, D-La., who spoke during a chamber luncheon today, also met with local doctors earlier and briefly addressed about 15 demonstrators opposing a public insurance option and Cap and Trade.

When asked after her speech if the senator would support a public option under any circumstances, she said, "Very few, if any. I'd prefer a private market-based approach to any health care reform that would extend coverage."

"I'd like to cover everyone - that would be the moral thing to do - but it would be immoral to bankrupt the country while doing so," Landrieu said.

That last sentence is where most of America stands these days, and a blue senator in a red state knows that full well.

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