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With the deadline swiftly approaching to reach agreement on a health care bill, Sen. Ben Nelson tells the Politico that he still hasn't reached a deal with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to resolve his objections to the bill, and can't say whether he's getting any closer:

"Hopefully we're making progress," Nelson said. "As I've said there is always a lot of room which you have to have between the bid and the ask, and we're seeing if we can close the gap."

Asked whether it was possible to resolve their differences Friday, Nelson said: "I don't know. I can't predict the time."

Yesterday Nelson elaborated on a number of his problems with the health care bill that would lead him to join Republican efforts to block the legislation by filibuster. While abortion language is the biggest obstacle, he also said he had a problem with the tax increases and the Medicaid expansion.

Earlier, I outlined why Reid must lock up 60 votes by midnight tomorrow to be able to pass the bill by Christmas Eve.