Mary Jo Kilroy is not so clear on that one

Not only did Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15), my local Congresswoman, took a long time to send her response to my email, she does not use the term "public option", in spite of the fact that I commended her for supporting it in her public statements. Here is the complete text of her email:

Thank you for contacting me about health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you.

The cost of health care is one of the most pressing issues in our country and that is why it is at the top of my agenda for this year. Health care needs a uniquely American solution to the challenges of cost, quality and accessibility. Reform must include the choice and freedom that Americans with health care have come to expect. The most important change I hope most Americans will see is the cost of health care expenses going down.

Americans need quality health care that is affordable and accessible and also guaranteed. Health care is vital to our economic recovery and reducing our long term spending. Businesses are paying too much for health care and all of us pay the "hidden tax" of the uninsured. Moving our country forward will depend upon reducing the cost and increasing the choices in health care. I hope to work with my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to craft this reform.

Thank you again for taking the time to reach out to me. Please contact me if I can be of further assistance.

The email is at best, vague, and meant for a middle-of-the-line independent/centrist voter. I have a feeling that many of the elected officials are mis-calculating the support for the public option, and may pay for it dearly in the next elections, a la Al Gore in 2000.