President Obama reaches out to key Republican senator

Obama's working the room.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – As Al Franken became poised to claim the 60th Democratic seat in the Senate on Tuesday, President Obama reached out in a phone call to Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a key member of the Senate Finance Committee who's vote could be decisive in passing the president's health care reform package.

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According to Snowe's office, Obama "expressed his desire to work with" the senator and solicited her input on health care reform.

"I reaffirmed to the President my commitment to ensuring the Finance Committee creates the best possible package to guarantee health security for all Americans," Snowe said in a statement.