It's true Olympia Snowe does call herself a Republican and she did give her tepid and pointedly non binding support to the Baccus "we don't need no stinkin public option" health care reform approach. And so far no other Republican in Congress has come near to matching Olympia Snowe's zeal for that legislation. Earlier this year President Obama won three, count 'em, 3 Republican votes for his stimulus package. I have to ask, when was the last time you heard mention of the "bi-partisan" stimulus plan that Obama signed into law?
A year hence maybe Olympia Snowe, like Arlen Specter before her, will leave the Republican Party. Or maybe not. But her vote for a bill coming out of the Senate now would put no more of a bi-partisan stamp on health care reform efforts today than the votes of her AND Susan Collins AND Arlan Spector gave to the stimulus plan before it. If my math is correct Obama might gain from Snowe about one third of the political cover he reaped from winning all of that bi-partisan support for his stimulus package.
EVERYONE describes Olympia Snowe as out of step with today's Republican Party. At best her vote would be the classic exception that proves the rule: There is no Republican Congressional support for health care reform. An Olympia Snowe vote backing it would be described like this: "Sweeping Health Care reform legislation passed today along sharp party lines, with Olympia Snowe the sole chink in a solid wall of Republican opposition." Yes her vote would be nice to have. The same can be said for Evan Bayh. Except his support is more important.
How much does a fig leaf cost? Whatever the price, the American people will foot the bill if Olympia gets to trade her fig leaf for a trigger.