Commenter called DeFazio; Aide: "Mr. DeFazio has not drawn a position"

By GottaLaff

Thank you Commenter Diane, for this update:

I just called Rep. DeFazio's office in Washington DC and contacted an aide. He said that the recent press is inaccurate and that Mr. DeFazio has not drawn a position. This is because he is still reading the bill — so much for the Republicans' talking point! — and will not decide which way he's going to vote until he has.

That's the definitive word as of 1:37 PM Friday, Pacific Daylight Time.

My original post, via ClusterFox unfortunately, who said he switched to "no", is here.

UPDATE from my pal Della Lee, via Comments:

I also called DeFazio's DC office. I'm from his district: Springfield OR 97477. I got the same message, including "Don't believe every news report you hear." Still undecided. I urged foot in the door, amend later, Yes on HCR now!

Thank you! We have the best readers in the world.

Oregon Rep. DeFazio Switches 'Yes' Vote to 'No' on Health Care Bill. BUT...

By GottaLaff

As I type this, MSNBC is reporting that President Obama is meeting with the Democratic caucus tomorrow:

The opposition from Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., dials back the number of House members leaning toward voting yes to 214, and the number leaning toward voting no to 217.

DeFazio announced his opposition shortly after Ohio Rep. John Boccieri, also a Democrat, announced that he will switch his vote to yes, temporarily putting Pelosi within one vote of what she needs.

However, there's a glimmer of a whiff of a silver lining:

But he indicated he could still change his mind again.

"I'm a no unless they fix this," he said, referring to what he sees as insufficient Medicare spending in rural areas.

I'm holding on to the audacity of hope.

House Dem: 'Growing' liberal consensus to dump Geithner

By GottaLaff

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) says that a whole lotta libs are not thrilled with Tim:

A Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) member said there's "growing consensus" among liberals that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner should step down. [...]

DeFazio said that lawmakers have not yet drafted a plan to remove Geithner. The lawmaker also took aim at top Obama economic adviser Larry Summers for furthering many of the same policies favored by Geithner.

"We need a new economic team," said DeFazio.

Ouch. President Obama has been nothing but supportive of his team... so far.

If they lay a hand on my geek-crush Peter Orszag, they better watch out. I'll get really, really cranky.

Congressman DeFazio- The Republicans Are Sticking It To The American People

The Village needs to be stormed, we need more of these kind of voices on the cable and Sunday shows, enough with the "go along to get along" bunch.