Two Campaign Spot readers write in, saying that they’re actually kind of fond of their Democratic congressmen, and that they have faith that they can be counted as “no” votes.

First, Jim Oberstar of Minnesota:

Jim Oberstar is a committed pro-lifer and probably would have been a senator if it wasn’t for the fact that his principled pro-life position put him out of the mainstream of the average Democratic primary voter in his state. Oberstar told a great story at the first Democrats for Life Dinner. Shortly after Roe v. Wade he was approached by a young man who was outraged and wanted to run for Congress because of the decision. Oberstar encouraged him to do it, gave him some advice and sent him back to his home state — but the local Democratic party wanted nothing to do with him. Not to be deterred, he decided to run as a Republican in a heavily Democratic state because he was committed to making a difference for all vulnerable persons. To everyone’s surprise, he went on to win the election. That was Chris Smith, New Jersey Republican, and what a difference he has made. Anything can happen and there is going to be a lot of arm twisting between now and a House vote on Obamacare, but I’ll be very surprised if Jim Oberstar votes for a bill without the Stupak language.

And then, Michael McMahon of New York:

I’m the leader of a small but very active Tea Party here on Staten Island, with a few thousand members and we established a working relationship with the congressman sometime before his healthcare Town Hall meeting, which he held in October of 2009.
Though he gave many good reasons for it, I like to think that we were instrumental in his “no” vote the first time around. He had invited me to bring 4 or 5 members of my group to his office to discuss the issue a few days before he held the public meeting, and I think he was very impressed that we weren’t a bunch of redneck racists, but rather an intelligent group which included a union plumber, a Wall Street exec, a retiree, a housewife, an attorney and a physician in private practice – an ordinary bunch who spoke intelligently and with passion. Since then we’ve been treated with respect, and as an important subset of his constituency.
He has made three statements to the local press, and told me personally in two separate private meetings, that he is opposed not only to the House bill, but even more so to the Senate version; of course, that was before the Brown election and the rise of reconciliation talk. So I contacted his Chief of Staff today, after his name appeared as a possible “flip,” and was told they they are as perplexed as I about the issue and that the Congressman was still “not inclined” to vote for any version currently out there.

I’m almost ready to take McMahon off the “Suicide Squad” list; I just want to hear a public statement that rules out any wiggle room.