WASHINGTON — As House Democratic leaders cast around for votes to pass the Senate’s healthcare reform bill (followed by a reconciliation measure that “fixes” parts of the bill), the three Democrats who voted against the bill last fall and plan to retire after this year are prime targets for lobbying. But if Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., is any indication, that may mean the bill is in trouble.
In a brief interview with Salon Tuesday night, Baird didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of switching his vote. “I get all these people advocating, calls and letters, saying vote one way or the other,” he said. “I don’t know how they know what’s going to be in it — because I sure don’t.”
Baird, a clinical psychologist first elected in 1998, has young twin sons, and told Pacific Northwest reporters in December the grind of lawmaking was wearing on him. You might think the fact that he’s retiring would free him from political concerns about the healthcare bill. Still, even though he won’t have to face voters again, Baird has substantive and political worries about what leadership is asking members to do.





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