Lincoln has told Reid how she'll vote, Durbin says

One of the three centrist Senate Democratic holdouts heading into a Saturday vote on healthcare reform has told Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) her intentions, Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) told reporters Friday.

All of political Washington has been anxiously awaiting an announcement from Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) about whether she will support the opening procedural motion Saturday night despite continuing objections to key provisions in the bill. According to Durbin, Reid's wait is over.

"She told Sen. Reid," said Durbin, who declined to elaborate. "You'll have to ask Sen. Reid."

Lincoln's spokeswoman pushed back against Durbin's remarks in an email to The Hill. "No other Senator speaks for Senator Lincoln. She is still reviewing the bill," wrote Katie Laning Niebaum.

Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu (La.), Ben Nelson (Neb.) and Lincoln stand as the only obstacles to a sure victory for Reid and his Democrats Saturday. None has declared how they will vote though all three have dropped small hints in recent days they were looking past the procedural vote and toward the floor debate, suggesting they expect the vote to pass with 60 votes Saturday.

Lincoln is staring down a tough reelection fight next year in a state that favored Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) over President Barack Obama in last year's election but Durbin suggested opposing healthcare reform would not help her keep her seat.

"I would say to Sen. Lincoln that I believe most of the people in Arkansas would be relieved and happy to see healthcare reform that gives them peace of mind about the cost of health insurance and the protection of their ability to fight these health insurance companies," Durbin said. "I think the failure to pass a bill is not good for America, it isn’t good for any of us in Congress or those standing for reelection."

Reid's office had no comment.