Specter predicts successful (initial) cloture vote

Democrats will get the 60 votes needed to start debate on healthcare reform, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) predicted today.

"Getting 60 votes is never easy, but I believe we'll get to 60 votes," he told MSNBC. "I think we'll get it started."

Specter suggested some wavering Democrats would vote for cloture in hopes of amending--and improving--the legislation.

"Freqeuently seantors will vote for cloture to start debate, [and] reserve judgment depending on how the amendments go," he added.

That's likely the defense Sens. Lincoln, Landrieu and Nelson will use if they do end up voting to start debate.