Rep. Bart Stupak (D., Mich.) is “more optimistic” about reaching a deal with Democrats on abortion language that would allow him — and his crucial gang of a dozen-or-so pro-life House Democrats — to vote yes on Obamacare.

From the Associated Press:

Rep. Bart Stupak said he expects to resume talks with House leaders this week in a quest for wording that would impose no new limits on abortion rights but also would not allow use of federal money for the procedure.
“I’m more optimistic than I was a week ago,” Stupak told The Associated Press between meetings with constituents in his northern Michigan district, including a crowded town hall gathering where opinions on health care and the abortion issue were plentiful and varied.
“The president says he doesn’t want to expand or restrict current law (on abortion). Neither do I,” Stupak said. “That’s never been our position. So is there some language that we can agree on that hits both points — we don’t restrict, we don’t expand abortion rights? I think we can get there.”

Stupak has come a long way since just last week, when he said that he was no closer to a deal that would spur his support for the broader bill.