Sene flop show on V-Day eve

After Mumbaikars on Friday voted with their feet to reject the Shiv Sena's parochial campaign, it was the turn of the Kannadigas to mete similar treatment to the Sri Rama Sene (SRS).

"I want to make it very clear that there's progressives,Blue Dogs and everybody in between who have expressed concernsand we're working on that," he said. House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer said problems came fromall directions, not just the "Blue Dog" group of fiscallyconservative Democrats that raised public concerns over cost. Obama on Tuesday repeated his pledge the reforms must notworsen the government's debt -- a limitation that has been hardfor congressional leaders to observe. The Democratic-led House has run into problems over fundingfor the $1 trillion, 10-year overhaul plan. The plan working its way through Congress seeks to set up agovernment-run health insurance program to compete with privateinsurers, expand coverage to most of the 46 million uninsured,and hold down soaring healthcare costs that are rising fasterthan inflation. She added they might also be prepared to stay in sessionbeyond the July 31 recess to keep working toward a deal.

healthcare reform was "closer than ever," butfought to keep some fellow Democrats from deserting his chiefpolicy initiative amid worries about its $1 trillion cost. Several key Democrats joined Republicans in Congress insuggesting a slower timetable for overhauling the $2.5 trillionindustry, which could push passage back from Obama's Octoberdeadline but still lock in changes before lawmakers turn theirfocus to the 2010 mid-term elections. Although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wouldkeep urging the chamber to act before its monthlong Augustrecess, he told reporters, "The goal is not deadlines, the goalis comprehensive healthcare reform." In the House of Representatives, Democrat Louise Slaughter,who chairs the House Rules Committee that guides bills to thefloor, told reporters that leaders still planned to bring ahealthcare bill to a vote next week. Metavante () is headquartered inMilwaukee.