Does Obama need Republican support to pass a health care reform bill?

Normally for major legislation you need 60 votes in the senate and you have to pass the filibuster, but there are ways that the democrats can get around that, like using reconciliation. So really all they need is 51 votes, and they have that easy.

They could get the 60 votes too if Ted Kennedy's replacement is a Democrat.

Not after last night. Wilson did what President Obama could not, gave the Democrats a reason to pull together and pass Health Care Reform. The Enemy of Health Care Reform has displayed his colors and they are Republican RED!

No with the Dem's in majority they do not need the Rep. but if they do pass w/o any rep.votes and it ends up costing like they are saying it will then the Dem's. will be in turmoil when they go back in 2010 when the Rep.take over the house and senate and then repeal everything.

Let's hope the Dem's. don't just take everything the Rep. want out. Just to get it passed then with out any Rep. input or vote they put everything back in the bill without any Rep. votes. Not that it has been talked about. They can be sneaky. After all they are Politician's and the way they have been acting with us almost in a depression and they are in a spending spree and it seems they do not care of our future or our childern's future.

There is no doubt they will edit the bill to some degree, now. But in the end it will still be a pile of junk. IF liberals like Obama, Pelosi, etc. were half as smart as they think they are, all they would do is fix whatever ales Medicare and Medicaid. It would be millions and millions of dollars cheaper. No, Obama and Pelosi intent to shove their bill though because there is a kick back somewhere down the road for them. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so determine to push a bill through that they themselves have no interest in.

No. Although some portray it as the Republicans blocking the deal, it's ultimately the so-called Blue Dog democrats that are stopping this. The democrats have enough votes to get this done by themselves.

No. And he doesn't need all the Democrats either, just a change in rules and he just needs 51 in the senate.

Of course he needs to be ready to deal with the ramifications of those actions. You think people are upset now.

No he does not -- he does however need good public opinion for his policies unless he wants to be a lame duck with a Republican majority in congress

Yes. Unless the Democrats change the rules to make it a simple majority.

Remember however there are several democrats that oppose the legislation as well.

Nope. The Democrats are the majority.

No. He just can't get enough of his own party to put the final nail in the coffin.