President Obama urged Democratic senators on Tuesday to persevere in trying to get a bipartisan deal on health care, but left open the possibility that they might have to pass a bill with only Democratic votes if Republicans stood in the way.

At lunch with Democrats at the White House, Mr. Obama vowed to respond to Republican attacks on his plan, which aims to guarantee insurance for all Americans while slowing the explosive growth of health costs.

When Democratic leaders left the meeting, they gave an upbeat account of the lunch, where they joined the president in celebrating his 48th birthday with a chocolate cake.

The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said there was “absolute unity” among members of the normally fractious Democratic conference.

Obama Pushes Democrats for Unity on Health Plan – http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/05/health/policy/05health.html?_r=1&ref=us

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