Obama on Senate health bill: 'They're going to get it done'

News coverage is focusing on the Senate health debate, with some reporting that some agreements may be reached today.

Politico: "Ahead of a make-or-break week for health care reform, President Barack Obama put his personal prestige on the line Sunday with an unusual weekend visit to the Senate along with Vice President Joe Biden ... Departing the closed-door 45- minute meeting, where he was accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, Obama told reporters, 'They're doing great, they're going to get it done.'"

"Obama spoke for about 30 minutes, taking no questions, according to Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), who said Obama didn't made a specific pitch for any one provision, including the public option. 'He said it would be the greatest legislation since FDR passed Social Security,' said Sen. Roland Burris (D-Il.). ... His visit coincides with intensive talks among liberal and moderate Democrats on a public option compromise" (Budoff Brown, 12/6).

The Associated Press: "At the request of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., Obama made [the] trip to the Capitol to appeal to rank-and-file Democrats to work for compromise and do it quickly, according to Reid spokesman Jim Manley."

"Reid called the unusual weekend session as he races to finish the 10-year, nearly $1 trillion bill by Christmas. The legislation would provide coverage to more than 30 million additional people over the next decade with a new requirement for nearly everyone to purchase insurance. There would be new marketplaces where people could shop for and compare insurance plans, and lower-income people would get subsidies to help them afford coverage. ... Obama and Reid must unite liberals and moderates in the 60-member caucus, even as moderates balk over abortion and the option of government-run health insurance. Sixty is the precise number needed to overcome Republican stalling tactics in the 100-member Senate, so Reid doesn't have a vote to spare" (Alonso-Zaldivar, 12/6).

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans "accused President Obama of backroom arm-twisting on Sunday, speaking at a press conference just steps away from the room where the president met with divided Democrats on an $848 billion health care plan," according to Fox News.

"The negotiations have 'drifted off into an entirely partisan effort,' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. 'They have crafted a deal with no appeal to any Republican.' ....  Arizona Sen. John McCain said the president has completely abandoned his pledge for transparency" (Shively, 12/6).

And, Roll Call reports that "Democrats appearing on Sunday morning news shows said they are optimistic the Senate will pass health care reform legislation soon, with some saying significant progress is imminent. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on 'Fox News Sunday' that a key vote on an abortion amendment could happen Monday. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), who is part of a group involved in compromise talks on the legislation, said on ABC's 'This Week' that he is 'cautiously optimistic' that a package of compromise ideas might be released as early as today" (Brotherton, 12/6).