I'm Confused

So, I've been hearing from the Obama people that the public option isn't an essential part of healthcare reform, then yesterday, I read the New York Times article saying that the White House plans to do it alone on healthcare reform, and at today's press conference, Robert Gibbs said that the president prefers the public option, but is willing to listen to other ideas.

Why?

Isn't doing it alone, basically doing what you want to do, and not what the other side wants to do?

Because that's why I was so hyped when I read in the nytimes article that the White House was gonna do it alone on healthcare reform, and ignore the GOP.

If what I've been hearing is wrong, or I'm misinterpreting it, please tell me, because I want to understand what's happening in this crazy debate.