Landrieu blasts public option

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) echoed Republican criticisms of a public option today, suggesting it would bankrupt the country.

Describing the public option as a "government-run, taxpayer subsidized, national insurance plan," Landrieu said it would likely replicate the problems faced by Medicare and Medicaid.

"Why don't we fix the two public options we have now instead of creating a third one," she told NPR's "Tell Me More."

Asked about polls showing public support for a government plan, Landrieu said the questions should be phrased differently.

"I think if you asked, do you want a public option but it would force the government to go bankrupt, people would say no," she said.

Landrieu suggested co-ops as a possible compromise.

Thirty Democratic Senators have pledged to only vote for a bill including a public option. Landrieu, obviously, is not one of them.