Even before Reid announced Monday that he would back a public option plan that would allow individual states to opt out of the controversial plan, progressives had begun to shift from pressuring legislative leaders to stiffening Obama’s spine on the issue.

Democratic senators and House members didn’t need to shift their attention to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.: They have been grumbling for weeks that Obama needs to step up.

“I hope the president speaks out strongly for the public option — this health care bill really becomes his at this point,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), one of about 30 Democrats who have pressured Reid to back the controversial option.

“[Reid] took the temperature of his caucus and found that he had to go with the public option,” added Brown. “And now it’s the president’s turn. ... He needs to speak out strongly on a number of issues ... affordability ... the subsidy question — really on the whole package.”