They will not be party to killing it, but a surprising number of Democrats would be willing to help Republicans craft legislation to replace Obamacare, Politico reported.
But only if Republicans have a viable alternative. And "if," in this case, is a big word.
"For six years, I've looked [for Republican replacement plans] in closets, I've looked in committee rooms, I've looked under desks," Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., told Politico. "[Republicans have] had six frickin' years to figure it out."
Republicans have a lot on their side: Momentum to kill it, numbers to pass it, and pressure they can exert on vulnerable midterm Democrats, 25 in all on the ballot in 2018, Politico reported.
Republican strategy: Repeal it quickly, work out the details later – with the help of Democrats.
"If they want to change things around the edges, fix some of the things we agree ought to be fixed and call it Trumpcare, that's OK," Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who caucuses with the Democrats and is up for re-election, told Politico.
Republicans would need eight Senate Democrats in the fold, and they are looking.
First targets: Dems up for re-election in states Donald Trump won by double digits, Politico reported.
- Sen. McCaskill, D-Mo.
- Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.
- Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V.a.
- Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind.
- Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.
"Look at the lineup and the seats that they have to defend and the states that they have to defend them," Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., told Politico. "That's motivation."
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