Oregon Public Broadcasting

Sometime this week, it seemed health care sucked the life out of the rest of the political discussion (pun intended).  But there were several developments worth noting in the week that was.

As we welcome back our political analyst Bill Lunch, we move onward with the top issues from the week that was:

• The first, of course, is the monster health care debate raging in Washington and in districts here in Oregon and Washignton. 

Two NW representatives are getting a lot of attendion because no one is sure whio they will vote.  Kurt Schrader and Brian Baird are both Democrats, but that is no guarantee they wull vote with their party on this issue. That vote could be as early as Saturday or Sunday. Dozens Protest Against Health Care Reform Outside Baird Office - They were urging Baird to vote "no", when Congressional leaders try to pass a health care bill later this week. (OPB News)

Yea or nay? Baird, Smith votes in play on health bill - Of all the congressional Democrats who might vote no in the impending health-care showdown in the House, perhaps few could do it with more impunity than Rep. Brian Baird. (Seattle Times)

House Democrats Trumpet Health Bill Cost Estimate - House Democrats touted a "better than expected" Congressional Budget Office estimate Thursday that calculated their health care bill would cut the federal deficit by $138 billion over 10 years and by more than $1 trillion the following decade. (NPR)Health Care Reform: The Highlight Reel- (PBS Newshour)

Read the fuil CBO Report on the Health Care Bill

• The Oregon governor's race appears to be in full swing. 

Last week the Republicans met for their annual Dorchester Conference.  This week, Democrats Kitzhaber and Bradbury stepped into the spotlight with a debate and several notable endorsements.Labor Split In Oregon Governor's Race - Labor plays a pivotal role in Democratic party politics. But unions are split in the Democratic primary race for Oregon governor. (OPB News)

Bradbury, Kitzhaber Engage In Wide Ranging Debate In Portland - The two leading Democratic candidates for governor went head to head in a debate in Portland Monday night. (OPB News)

• Finally, Washington is going into overtime deal with the state's budget.