How Did Centrists React to Obama's Speech?

TARGETING CENTRISTS.... As has become clear of late, congressional centrists will help dictate whether health care reform passes this year, and if so, what it will look like. With that in mind, it was of particular interest to see some of their reactions to President Obama's speech. By most indications, the left was pleased with last night's address, and the right wasn't. But what about Ben Nelson and Olympia Snowe?

For his part, Nelson seemed impressed. "The President is clearly determined to achieve bipartisan health care reform this year, and I was pleased he outlined more specifics of his plan," the Nebraskan Democrat said in a statement." I applaud him for embracing ideas pushed by both Republicans and Democrats as he reaches toward consensus on one of the most troubling, costly and long-delayed problems for Nebraska's families, workers and small businesses."

Nelson later added that he thinks the Obama speech "was a bit of a game changer." This is a lot more encouraging than what we were hearing from Nelson before the speech.