After meeting with Senate Democrats at the White House on Tuesday, President Obama said his party is "on the precipice" of approving landmark reforms to the nation's health care system.  But then he acknowledged that a lot of hard bargaining is still ahead.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to make it seem like the negotiations are almost over on health care reform, and that a bill is just about to be finished.

But that's not really where things stand.

On Sunday, it seemed like Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was going to derail health care in the Senate.

By Monday evening, Lieberman was playing nice, since the public option and the Medicare buy-in were being deep sixed.

Then on Tuesday, the President talked about the "broad consensus" on health reform.

But now on Wednesday morning, the focus is shifting to Sen. Ben Nelson and his concerns, and whether those could deny Democrats a 60th vote.

Nelson has made very clear to us in the halls of the Capitol over the past few months that he has a series of major concerns about the health care effort.

The Nebraska Senator told reporters that he remains on the fence - even after a one-on-one meeting with President Obama.

If Nelson proves to be too intransigent, Democrats are still hoping they can convince one of the Maine Senators to join them on health care.

But so far, the indications are not good on that front either.

"I don't see voting for the current bill on the floor, even with the improvements that have been made," said Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

Collins said she had "extensive" meetings with President Obama and key White House aides in recent days, but that she has not been swayed.

Also getting Presidential Face Time was her fellow Mainer Sen. Olympia Snowe, who also has been frowning on the idea of voting for the health bill.

So, on this Wednesday morning, Democrats are still short of the 60 votes they need to force final action on health reform.

"On paper they have 60 votes," said Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.  "I think they are having an extremely difficult time convincing 60 people to completely ignore the wishes of the American people."