A moderate Democrat whose vote could be crucial said Thursday an attempted Senate compromise on abortion is unsatisfactory, raising doubts about whether the chamber can pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul by Christmas.

"As it is, without modifications, the language concerning abortion is not sufficient," Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, a key holdout on the health care bill, said in a statement after first making his concerns known to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Nelson said there were positive improvements dealing with teen pregnancy and adoption, and that he was open to further negotiations. But in a radio interview earlier in the day with KLIN in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nelson also said that abortion wasn't his only concern and he didn't see how the Christmas deadline was achievable.

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Health & Medicine • --The 2009 American Health Care Reform Debate • Life Ethics • * Economics, Politics • Politics in General • Senate

1. Jeremy Bonner wrote: Continuing the tradition of independent thinking in Nebraska that dates back to George Norris (probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve always had a soft spot for him). It was also the home state of William Jennings Bryan, of course. December 18, 7:38 am | [comment link]

2. William P. Sulik wrote: I am very pleased to see this.  I’m praying he will hold fast. “When statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” - Robert Bolt’s Thomas More. December 18, 9:37 am | [comment link]

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