Sober voices are assuring us that there just isn't a way to pass a public option in the Senate. The White House has given up even paying lip service to it, despite the very real evidence that it is still popular with the people who are going to matter the most for Dem prospects come November, the Democratic base.

Perhaps the reality of a deal struck between the White House and hospitals means that there really can't be a White House or Senate fight for it. The hospital lobbyists certainly seemed to think they had a deal to pre-empt any real public option.

Meanwhile, Senate leadership, understanding how mobilized the base is over it have been trying to keep it alive, sort of, by stringing us along with gung-ho statements and letter signing, but no real fight. We're kind over that, frankly, and are smart enough to see meaningless gestures for what they are. Signing a letter is easy, pressuring fellow Senators, and making them vote, is what counts.

We're going to be hearing a lot from the White House and Dem Senators that, to quote Dan Pfieffer, "the American people deserve and up or down vote" on healthcare reform. So here's the message to Harry Reid: "the American people deserve and up or down vote on the piece of reform they want," the public option.

Show us whether or not it can pass the Senate in a reconciliation vote, Senator Reid. Put it on the floor and see if it gets 50 votes. You'll at least get points from the base for making people go on the record. Give us an up or down vote on the public option.

Update: To be crystal clear, for those concerned about gumming up the works, it can be offered as an amendment to the base reconciliation bill. It's germane and meets budgetary requirements.