Politics — or at least legislation, the passing thereof — would be so much simpler if there was a simple mechanism to compel you to walk the walk once you had unambiguously talked the talk.

Take Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, and healthcare reform. She clearly knows what her constituents want to hear, and she has no hesitation about giving them the talk:

The Change That Works health care march for Health & Justice drew more than 600 Mainers from all across the state to support quality reform. It was there–in front of our passionate, dedicated activists (this is from the SEIU website)–that Cheryl Leaman, a staffer from Senator Snowe’s office, read a statement from the Senator supporting a public health plan option.

Penned by Senator Snowe herself, the statement is a commitment to providing true, quality reform to Maine’s citizens. By standing up for a public plan option to be included in the eventual plan for health care reform, Senator Snowe is standing up for all of Maine’s citizens and proving her commitment to the hard working men, women, and families she represents.
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Congress must implement long overdue insurance market reforms such as the guaranteed issue of a policy for every American and no refusal or adverse pricing of policies on the basis of health status or gender. We also must insure that those plans include a very strong benefit package, from preventative services to comprehensive medical benefits. And offering extra assistance to families who need help in affording a plan must be part and parcel of any legislation.

I believe that the reforms we are creating will result in more competitive, affordable and innovative options for Mainers, yet we can all agree that we must not leave universal access to chance. That is why I also support a public plan which must be available from day one.

So I urge all of you here today to join me in partnership to secure for our nation that which every other developed nation already embraces, the provision of health security for all of its’ citizens. The time has long come, and I promise you I will continue to work to move heaven and earth to make it happen.

So does Olympia Snowe actually intend to bring about robust healthcare reform which includes a meaningful public plan which is available from day one? Or does she intend to stall healthcare reform to anemia, if not death?

She’s willing to move heaven and earth to make it happen, but she balks at moving the legislation forward?