60 Is Magic Number for Democrats

There's been all kinds of complicated math required this season when it comes to the health-care bill. For the Democrats, a new number has come into focus: 60. With the introduction of a compromise health-care proposal Wednesday, Democratic leaders must figure out a way to keep all 59 Democrats in the Senate united and attract at least one Republican to their side. Said Sen. Chris Dodd: “I wouldn’t say today with absolute certainty that you could get to 60, but it would be just as foolish to say you can’t get there either. This is the Senate.” As there isn't even strong unity within the party—liberals want more people insured than the current bill allows; centrists want to keep costs down—getting to number 60 may be a Herculean task. Sen. Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine, has become every Democrat's favorite member of the opposite party, as they try to convince her to join their side. As of yet, she has resisted.