FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's "do or die" time - when it comes to the president's signature issue of health care reform.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/19/art.pelosi.jpg caption="House Speaker Pelosi walks through the Capitol. The House is expected to cast its verdict on a Senate bill Sunday. A 'yes' vote would enshrine into law comprehensive health care reform, bringing coverage to 32 million Americans who currently lack insurance."]
After more than a year of debate, the showdown is set for Sunday when the House is expected to vote.
In the meantime - it's not clear if the Democrats have reached the magic number of votes needed to pass this thing. Both President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are meeting one-by-one with lawmakers on the fence, trying to turn "no" votes to "yes." It's political arm-twisting at its finest....
But it's not all good news for the Democratic leadership... with some caucus members showing signs of defecting.... including those not satisfied with the abortion language.
Meanwhile the stakes couldn't be much higher for President Obama. The future of health care reform could play a large role in the future of his presidency.
Which is probably why he's postponed his trip to Indonesia and Australia until June. But some are criticizing the president's decision to cancel the trip for now, and stay in Washington for the health care vote.
Here’s my question to you: What will it take to tip the health care reform vote one way or the other?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Michael in Smiths Station, Alabama writes:
Getting more Democratic support, and even convincing a few Republicans to vote for health care reform. It'll show bipartisan support. Those Democrats who hold to their 'no' vote will answer for it in November.
Paul writes:
Courage. Courage to pass it, and not give in to the fear-mongering and lies of the Republicans and their corporate masters.
Ethel writes:
Jack, It will take nothing short of Newt Gingrich bursting into the halls of Congress, wrestling Harry Reid to the ground and Michael Steele tasering Nancy Pelosi for the health care reform bill not to pass on Sunday.
Pete in Georgia writes:
Jack, This one's easy. All a Democratic congressman has to do is look into a mirror and ask themselves if they want to be the deciding factor in starting the ruin of what was once the greatest country ever devised by mankind. The bill would then die by a healthy margin.
Keith in Bethlehem, Connecticut writes:
Remove the funding of abortion from the bill. Isn’t this the big bone of contention for the folks against the bill? Deal with the abortion issue later! I don’t want to go without health care because someone forgot to use a condom!
Rick writes:
Probably a constitutionality review by the Supreme Court.
Al in Birmingham, Alabama writes:
How about the 31 million uninsured? How about a choir member who can't afford the insurance payments? How about the person who has such high co-pays she can't get her kids shots? We need action, even if it is flawed.
Pat in Michigan writes:
Some congressman’s brother receiving a free condo in Costa Rica.
Steve writes:
I think it’s a national disgrace that in this great country of ours, elves have to bake their cookies in hollowed-out trees in the forest. We should all unite for universal elf care reform.