With momentum seeming to fade on the public option's prospects in the Senate, USA Today reports that liberal Democrats are now turning to this compromise: allowing those 55 and older to participate in Medicare. "Details of that proposal, including who would be allowed in and how much it would cost enrollees, are unclear, but talk of the Medicare 'buy-in' approach gathered support from Democrats who have been otherwise split over the idea of a government-run insurance plan intended to compete with private insurers." Progressive Dems also are eyeing expanding eligibility for Medicaid. 

The Wall Street Journal adds: "The question of whether to create a government-run plan, or "public option," has divided Democrats, and the trade-offs may not settle the debate. Some moderates, for example, have concerns about expanding Medicare and Medicaid. But the push for compromise Monday dramatized the urgency felt by top Democrats to move forward on legislation coveted by the White House. 'We have to find the right balance that satisfies the party,' said Sen. Charles Schumer (D., N.Y.)." 

Meanwhile, "The battle over abortion is threatening to derail the health care overhaul package in the Senate, as liberals refuse to accept new abortion restrictions demanded by key moderates, who say that without the limits, they are inclined to vote against the overall bill," the Boston Globe writes. 

The Washington Post notes how Joe Lieberman -- once again -- has been in a thorn in the side of many Democrats and liberals, this time on the subject of health care. "Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) has once again inserted himself into the middle of an inflamed partisan debate, raising questions about his motives, his ego and his fickle allegiance to the Democratic Party, which forgave him after he supported Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president… Although he has been more in line with Republicans on national security issues, Lieberman has tended to stick with Democrats on domestic politics. So it has been startling for even his detractors to hear the four-term senator vowing to join a Republican filibuster against any bill with a government-run plan."

The Post also fact-checks some of Lieberman's claims about the public option. 

"With Senate Democrats and the White House courting Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, McConnell is working to keep her -- and the rest of his caucus -- in the 'no' column," CongressDaily writes. "At the same time, McConnell is positioning his party to reap political benefit if what he believes will be a widely unpopular measure passes." And what's behind Obama's push for health care, according to McConnell? "Every new Democratic president wants to be [President Franklin Delano Roosevelt]," he said. "It's in their DNA to want to be the next FDR." He went on later, "Our Democratic friends have 60 [votes] on paper - on paper - but many of them are beginning to understand they're having to choose here between their constituents and the president's desire to be FDR."

"Republicans attacked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Monday after Reid compared opponents of healthcare reform to those who opposed the abolition of slavery. 'If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right,' Reid said. He continued: 'When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said, 'Slow down, it's too early, things aren't bad enough.' Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele suggested Democrats should strip Reid of his leadership position if he does not apologize for the comments." And, "Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) said the comments were an indication that Reid was 'cracking' under the pressure of enacting healthcare reform." John McCain also called on Reid to apologize or clarify.
 
"In a statement, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said it was hard to believe that Republicans could make the charge with a straight face. 'Today's feigned outrage is nothing but a ploy to distract from the fact they have no plan to lower the cost of healthcare, stop insurance-company abuses or protect Medicare,' Manley said. 'And for those who are counting, Republicans have now held one press conference on manufactured anger and have issued one manual on how to grind the Senate to a halt -- but have held zero press conferences and issued zero plans on how to help Americans afford to live a healthy life.'" 

The AP previews Gen. Stanley McChrystal's appearance at hearings in the House and Senate today. "Many Democrats opposed to the escalation will try to get the general to say Obama's plan is inconsistent, congressional aides said Monday. Based on his statements ahead of the decision, it's clear McChrystal would have made different choices. Nevertheless, he is expected to salute the new program. On the other side, Republicans are likely to press McChrystal to apply the most elastic terms possible to that 18-month timeline for the surge."

A new Quinnipiac poll indicates the president is receiving more support for his Afghanistan decision. But a look inside the numbers shows the country has little patience.

"The House Homeland Security Committee will vote Wednesday on whether to subpoena the White House party crashers," The Hill writes. "The Salahis declined a non-binding request to testify last week. With Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-N.Y.) eager to bring the couple before his committee, it seems pretty likely the measure will pass."