By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Arlen Specter said Wednesday that he needs to review the new health care compromise reportedly reached in the Senate before deciding whether to support it,  but said he would consider voting “no” if it lacked a public option.

The senator said he hasn’t received a detailed briefing on the agreement, which reports indicate doesn’t have the government-run insurance plan. The Senate Democratic caucus was scheduled to discuss it later in the day.

“I would want to see where all the pieces stand before taking a definitive stand,” Specter said during a late-afternoon conference call with bloggers.

The Democratic senator has said repeatedly he wanted health care legislation to contain a “robust” public option.

The longtime lawmaker did say walking away from the legislation, after all the work done on it this year, would be difficult to do.

Specter faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak in a primary expected to be among the nation’s most competitive.

Tags: Arlen Specter

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