"One step at a time," Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), one of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's top lieutenants, said of negotiations on several key subjects.

Those stumbling blocks included language on abortion to be added to the bill, and how to deal with health care coverage in the bill for illegal immigrants.

Van Hollen said Friday afternoon that it was "unclear" if a deal was going to be reached that would allow for a Saturday evening vote.

But as the day progressed, more ominous signs appeared for Democrats. The day began with news that one freshman, Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) was going to vote no.

Later on, it was one of the top Blue Dog leaders, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) who announced she was also voting no.

"Unfortunately, the House bill misses a critical opportunity to address access, quality and cost on one hand, and solidify our fiscal future on the other hand," she said in a statement.

Others who announced they would vote no included Rep. John Adler (D-NJ), who announced his opposition just three days after watching his Governor lose on Election Day in New Jersey.

Decisions like that spurred an intense search for undecided lawmakers, as the Speaker's Lobby just off the House floor was jammed with reporters chasing after Democrats, looking for any tidbits about the health care vote.

One lawmaker on the fence, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) found himself entertaining repeated queries from reporters, as he sat in a high backed leather chair reading the newspaper.

Was he going to vote yes? Would he vote no on the health reform bill?

"I'm reading it, I'm evaluating it, and I will make up my mind in due course," Boucher told me.

I then stood back and watched a series of other reporters go through the same dance.

Across the way was one of Boucher's colleagues from Virginia, Rep. Bobby Scott, who is on board with the bill and much more confident about its future.

"We'll bring it up (Saturday) and pass it," Scott declared.

Out on the House floor during votes meanwhile, there were multiple serious conversations going on involving those for and against on the Democratic side, focused on those who were still officially on the fence.

We'll see whether there is a vote this weekend, or if it slips into next week.