Following heated words with Nancy Pelosi, Representative Jim Oberstar (D-MN) is no longer calling himself a definite “yes” on government-run health care. And you know what that means. Time to call him…again.

Oberstar, after reportedly having words with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, appears to have backed off the assurance he gave last weekend, when he said he was “prepared” to vote for health care.

The Iron Range Democrat’s latest utterance to Washington reporters, from a closing elevator door, was “I’m a strong, likely yes vote.”

Since “strong” and “likely” don’t often go together in the same sentence, Hot Dish sought clarification from Oberstar press guy John Schadl.

“He’s not 100 percent in the yes column,” Schadl said Thursday.

I’ve posted his office numbers below. If you can’t get through to the main office tomorrow, try the local offices. They’ll allegedly pass your message on to the main office.

Washington: (202) 225-6211

North Branch: (651) 277-1234

Brainerd: (218) 828-4400

Crisholm: (218) 254-5761

Duluth: (218) 727-7474

Thanks again.