
The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday rejected two amendments to include a government-run public health insurance option in the only compromise health care bill so far. It's one of the many road blocks the plan has faced and the White House is trying to get some Republicans on board.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/30/collins.susan.art.jpg caption="Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) says so far she hasn't seen a health care bill that accomplishes what she thinks needs to be done."]
Senator Susan Collins of Maine is one of those Republicans whose support is being sought by the White House. She spoke to John Roberts on CNN’s “American Morning” Wednesday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
John Roberts: We were talking off camera. You said you don't recall seeing times like these. There is so much going on.
Susan Collins: There is. I can't remember another time when there were more important issues on the table. You've got the two wars, a major decision coming up in Afghanistan, the health care debate, a faltering economy, the need for financial reform, environmental legislation, the cap-and-trade bill. It's just an enormous array of issues, all of which are extremely important.
Roberts: This morning let's take a narrow slice of all of that and talk about health care reform. Are you going to be able to vote for health care reform, do you think?
Collins: John, I want to vote for a health care bill but so far I haven't seen one that accomplishes what I think needs to be done. And that is to really focus on the cost of health care. It's the cost of health care that's the biggest barrier to the uninsured and causes such a struggle for middle income families and small businesses.

Here are the big stories we'll be breaking down for you this morning:
Paradise pounded. Tsunami waves triggered by a powerful earthquake flatten villages on the Samoan islands in the South Pacific. More than 80 people killed. Dozens injured. Telephone service cut. Homes and government buildings destroyed. We have the latest. Read more
A setback for the president and his plans for a public option in the debate over health care reform. A key Senate committee rejecting two Democratic proposals that would create a government-run insurance program to compete with private insurers. Does this mean a public option is no longer an option for the White House? Read more
An urgent summit meeting in Washington to address the dangers of distracted driving. It will focus on everything from texting to talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel. And what kinds of laws are need to keep drivers safe. Our Jason Carroll is following developments for us.
Shorter summer breaks. 9-hour school days. Kids may hate it but would you support more time in school? The president argues American students are way behind, compared to students in other countries and longer school days and a longer school year is a way to level the playing field. What do you think? Sound off below.
Editor's Note: Tuesday’s American Morning audience sharply rejected the idea of racism as the impetus for discontent with President Obama. Most denounced Mr. Obama’s position on the issues and remarked that President Bush received the same treatment.
How do you suggest Americans move away from the negativity so that we can unite and solve our most pressing issues? Do you think race has a place in the conversation?
Consumer Reports surveyed more than a thousand consumers and found they learned big lessons from the Great Recession and vowed to permanently scale back their spending.
A whopping 71% of Americans purchased only what they absolutely needed this year, 53% percent used credit cards less and 39% said they put more money into savings.
Consumer Reports calls this “intelligent thrift.”
How do you rank?
CNN Business Correspondent Christine Romans has
created this quiz to help you decide whether you
are the smart, thrifty consumer or the bubble
consumer.
How many questions did you answer with yes?
6?
You are a financial overachiever
4-5?
You are a frugalista
2-3?
You are a bubble consumer
0 to 1?
You need a money intervention
Program Note:
Watch Christine Romans on CNN's
"American Morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET.
And check our her daily "Romans' Numeral."
(CNN) — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is standing by his recent prediction that President Obama may be headed for a massive electoral defeat similar to that which President Carter faced in 1980.
[It] may happen again," Crist told CNN's John Roberts on American Morning Tuesday. "What I think has occurred is that in 1976 the people wanted a change…I think the same thing sort of happened last year in America." Read more
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama faces a daunting fall to-do list against the backdrop of an American public losing enthusiasm on a variety of issues.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/09/29/obama.full.plate/art.obama.tues.gi.jpg caption="President Obama's top priorities this fall are health care and financial reform."]
Obama's agenda ranges from dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions to traveling to Copenhagen to pitch Chicago for the 2016 Olympics - a trip the president said two weeks ago he could not take because he was working on health care.
"Health care reform has been his No. 1 priority issue here domestically. He wanted to make sure that if he went, that it wouldn't have an adverse impact on that, so he's going for just a day," said senior adviser Valerie Jarrett.
And health care will still be at the top of the list when the president gets back. This fall, his priorities are health care and financial reform, one Capitol Hill source said.
But health care reform will require a hands-on approach. The Senate Democratic leadership is looking for presidential guidance in creating one bill out of two very different ones - all the while holding onto enough votes to pass it.

