Thankfully, it very well could be. Or so suggests Congressional Quarterly via OpenLeft. They cite four Democrats who were rumored to be Stupak allies and are now showing at least a little bit of light between themselves and him.
Here's the first:
Charlie Wilson, D-Ohio, who in November supported a Stupak-sponsored abortion amendment to the House-passed health care package (HR 3962) and passage of the amended bill, is among those who has reconsidered his position. He said Thursday he is willing to vote for the Senate bill. Wilson said that while he would welcome any additional guarantee that no federal funds would be used to pay for abortions, he will not withhold his support if the bill is not changed.
"I'm opposed to abortion, and I think the language in there is pretty clear that it is not something that pays for abortion," he said.
Hat tip to jpmassar's recent diary for this news. More potential independence from Stupak below!
And the other three:
Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, said she wanted the abortion language changed, but stopped short of saying it is a deal-breaker for her. "I would not easily give over my vote for the bill" if changes are not made, she said.
An aide to James L. Oberstar, also previously thought to be in Stupak's group, said the Minnesota Democrat is undecided. "He hasn't ruled out anything, including voting for the Senate bill if that's an interim step to a better compromise," said spokesman John Schadl.
A spokesman for Steve Driehaus, an Ohio Democrat, said his boss has not changed his position opposing federal funding for abortion but had not decided how to vote. "He'll decide how he'll vote once he knows exactly what the House will be considering," press secretary Tim Mulvey said in an e-mail.
This follows on the news over the past 48 hours that Kildee and Kilpatrick have also distanced themselves from Stupak.
Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.), a key supporter of Rep. Bart Stupak’s (D-Mich.) anti-abortion language intended for the health care bill, said Tuesday night that he’s satisfied the Senate abortion language prohibits federal funding of abortions and will likely vote for the bill.
"I think the Senate language keeps the purpose of the Hyde amendment," Kildee told reporters. "I’ll probably vote for it."
At this rate, Stupak will be left with nothing but lies and desperation. Actually, he's already turning to it. As jpmassar reports, he's telling obvious lies about Henry Waxman's position on abortion in the legislation. This leads me to believe Stupak has much less clout than he originally suggested.
TAKE ACTION
Notice that most of these folks are still not clearcut in their intentions on the bill. This means we need to continue to pressure them.
Please, if you live in their districts (or even if you don't), call these and other suspected Stupak allies to let them know that we expect them to vote Yes. They should not let misinterpretation of the legislation get in the way. The Senate bill in no way enables federal funding of abortion.
Bart Stupak (D-MI) (202) 225 4735
Dale Kildee (D-MI) (202) 225-3611
Steve Driehaus (D-OH) (202) 225-2216
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) (202) 225-4146
Charlie Wilson (D-OH) (202) 225-5705
Paul Kanjorski (D-PA) (202) 225-6511
Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA) (202) 225-5406
Joe Donnelly (D-IN) (202) 225-3915
Brad Ellsworth (D-IN) (202) 225-4636
Dan Lipinski (D-IL) (202) 225-5701
Jerry Costello (D-IL) (202) 225-5661
Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) (202) 225-7742
Henry Cuellar (D-TX) 202-225-1640
James Oberstar (D-MN) (202) 225-6211
Marion Berry (D-AR) (202) 225-4076
Contact info above, and other great resources, from a Catskill Julie's very informative action diary a couple days ago.
For a great overview of why Stupak is wrong, see this Slate article.
Let's make this happen.
UPDATE:
mark louis in the comments provides some excerpts from a recent Stupak interview with the National Review. Indicates that the pressure we're bringing to bear on members of his bloc is working. Shows him also speaking longingly for a Republican majority so he can get the changes he ultimately wants. Some Democrat.