Bennet willing to lose election to vote for health care reform

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said Sunday that he is willing to trade his job for health care reform, if that is what a vote in favor of President Barack Obama's top domestic priority eventually costs him.

The Colorado senator made the remark at the end of the opening segment of CNN's Sunday morning program "State of the Union," appearing to surprise host John King, who quipped, "All right. That tape will be held."

Bennet faces a tough election next year in a state that polls suggest is increasingly unhappy with the Democrats' expansive agenda.

King asked him, "If you get to the final point and you are a critical vote for health care reform, and every piece of evidence tells you, if you support that bill, you will lose your job, would you cast the vote and lose your job?"

Bennet replied simply, "Yes."

The remark was quickly picked up by partisans on both sides but seemed to especially cheer those on the left, who have become accustomed to the hemming and hawing of swing-state Democrats in the Senate over health reform.

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