Pelosi searching for more Dem votes for public option

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is having enough trouble finding 218 votes for her "robust" public option. Now she says she really wants more than that.

"I always want more," Pelosi told reporters Thursday with a laugh.

Media reports have indicated Pelosi wants more than the bare number of Democrats. Roll Call reported she wants 230 Democratic votes. A Pelosi aide said, "She wants a big vote." Her comments today indicates that would further her strategy of getting leverage on the Senate for the public option.

"Whatever it is, it will be a good vote," Pelosi said. "We will send our negotiators to the table with a strong public option."

Pelosi told members earlier this week that she didn't have all the votes she needs, but is close. She has charged House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) with surveying House Democrats to see where they stand on the Medicare-based public option favored by party liberals.

Leaders of centrist Blue Dog Democrats, who don't support the more liberal Medicare-based public option, have indicated they believe Pelosi may come up short. And some members oppose the bill because of its tax provisions and concerns that it would allow taxpayer dollars to subsidize abortions.