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BlueStreak

(8,377 posts)
28. Let's get a couple of undeniable truths out there
Thu Jan 24, 2013, 06:53 PM
Jan 2013

1) This has absolutely nothing to do with keeping rules in place for the day when Dems do not have a majority in the Senate. The GOP will make up their own rules and they won't ask the Dems' opinion. We know that because they did exactly the same thing the last time they had a majority. When the Dems used the filibuster a little too much for the GOP's liking, they threatened to end the filibuster rule altogether, and in the end the Dems had no choice but to accept a grossly curtailed filibuster practice. Why does nobody even mention this now? Why has Reid not held McConnell to that same rule that the GOP imposed on the Dems?

2) It is inconceivable that a newly reelected President could not prevail on his Majority leader to make this chance if the President wanted that. This is not Reid being a wuss. He is doing what Obama wants.

So it is beyond any debate that BOTH Reid and Obama are perfectly happy with the status quo where the GOP locks up the Senate with filibusters on every major bill, and refuses to move on dozens of key appointments.

There can be an interesting debate as to WHY Obama and Reid refer this, but there can be no doubt that this is what they want.

My opinion on the latter point is that Obama figures he can't get anything meaningful past the House, so he might as well give the Senate GOP an opportunity to continue to make asses of themselves, at least leaving an opportunity to run against th4e "do nothing Congress" in 2014 and 2016.

This is a "no shit Sherlock" moment. Someone explain it to Harry. Little Star Jan 2013 #1
Not just to Harry, but also NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #27
Don't you just xxqqqzme Jan 2013 #77
So many of them NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #78
I can certainly relate to those feelings. xxqqqzme Jan 2013 #84
Just when I was starting to believe Reid was not so bad after all. 99th_Monkey Jan 2013 #2
thank you Senator Harkin for fighting for this change for years rurallib Jan 2013 #3
but old harry was working hard wasn't he ? russspeakeasy Jan 2013 #4
HARRY REID SAVES THE FILIBUSTER! earthside Jan 2013 #5
He wont get a chance to use his veto. Kiss further appointments goodbye. nm rhett o rick Jan 2013 #6
First 'Hold" in line with be the Hagel nomination that many here will applaud while embarrassing Purveyor Jan 2013 #9
So how often is Harry going to run on reelection saying he fasttense Jan 2013 #7
He isn't going to run for re-election. He's old as the hills. n/t duffyduff Jan 2013 #40
What did they expect, with Senator Lawnchair as point man? . . . Journeyman Jan 2013 #8
Bookmarking because I know that DU will eventually blame Obama and forget about this. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #10
ROFL! That's quite an attempted vaccination woo me with science Jan 2013 #13
Obvious response coming from you. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #18
Sad but true, I suppose. n/t AverageJoe90 Jan 2013 #24
A president who cannot sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #29
A president does not control the Senate. Send Biden and learn basic civics while you're at it. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #42
It's his job sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #44
No it is NOT!! Learn about civics! That is NOT how the U.S. Constitution works, dear! Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #45
The Constitution sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #47
Actually, it doesn't create a balance of power. jeff47 Jan 2013 #51
I said the Constitution sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #61
No, it doesn't. jeff47 Jan 2013 #65
Congress has to be afraid sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #71
Wow you are really into the cult of personality treestar Jan 2013 #68
I really don't care. sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #73
You're overly cynical IMO treestar Jan 2013 #76
What you said sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #81
WTF? treestar Jan 2013 #67
The balance of power sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #72
Very unfair to the judiciary treestar Jan 2013 #75
Correct me if I'm wrong, sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #80
You actually would want that? treestar Jan 2013 #66
You're right. sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #70
What's a "corrupt Congress?" treestar Jan 2013 #74
So long as politics sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #79
I wouldn't blame President Obama unless he had tried to filabuster when he was a US 24601 Jan 2013 #69
Time to replace Reid as majority leader in new Senate on point Jan 2013 #11
Time to just get rid of the Senate completely. Fuddnik Jan 2013 #39
Defeatism and Doomsaying! Dragonfli Jan 2013 #12
Woo hoo! woo me with science Jan 2013 #15
I hope the people singing Harry Reid's praises realize that they can never complain about Republican smokey nj Jan 2013 #19
As ConservaDems, those folks are far more likely to cheer NorthCarolina Jan 2013 #32
Four years? I thought a new Congress would start two years from now. Reform in two years? RickFromMN Jan 2013 #14
Yep, in two more years we will get another chance to kick the football. Lucy promised. nm rhett o rick Jan 2013 #17
And the Republican controlled states are doing everything they can to frustrate that hope. drm604 Jan 2013 #55
They just flushed The Wizard Jan 2013 #16
Too bad Tom Harkin isn't Senate Majority Leader red dog 1 Jan 2013 #20
There is nothing new in the OP other than Harkin's OPINION. No breaking news there. Tx4obama Jan 2013 #21
Good point. n/t AverageJoe90 Jan 2013 #23
So Harry did you get Smilo Jan 2013 #22
Article below Tx4obama Jan 2013 #25
Well that's something - thank you Tx4obama. Smilo Jan 2013 #26
The 41 idea was much better high density Jan 2013 #34
Let's get a couple of undeniable truths out there BlueStreak Jan 2013 #28
The change in the Senate rules are a big change in my opinion. Tx4obama Jan 2013 #30
Thanks, both you and Bluestreak. I really appreciate your thoughts. Gregorian Jan 2013 #37
We shall see BlueStreak Jan 2013 #38
Thank you. People are trying to find ANY excuse to blame Obama. ODSers scare me! Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author jeff47 Jan 2013 #52
This message was self-deleted by its author Plucketeer Jan 2013 #31
The Democratic Party sulphurdunn Jan 2013 #33
Don't give up boys..... Pauldg47 Jan 2013 #35
A Huge Mistake rjlobo422 Jan 2013 #36
Can someone explain how we move our agenda with the House controlled by repubs? onenote Jan 2013 #48
By passing laws in the Senate jeff47 Jan 2013 #53
There simply is no evidence that is the case onenote Jan 2013 #56
Go read what I wrote again. jeff47 Jan 2013 #57
Proceed with caution mostlyconfused Jan 2013 #41
Why do you think Republicans would keep these rules in place? jeff47 Jan 2013 #54
Because as far as I can tell, that's what they've done when they've been in power. mostlyconfused Jan 2013 #59
You're looking too far back jeff47 Jan 2013 #60
I'm not clear that it is ok by either side mostlyconfused Jan 2013 #62
Can't find links? jeff47 Jan 2013 #64
So what we're saying is that it was bad then, but it is good now mostlyconfused Jan 2013 #82
Yay! You actually bothered doing some research! jeff47 Jan 2013 #83
I knew something was up on.... ReRe Jan 2013 #46
4 More Years Of The Last 4 Years. blkmusclmachine Jan 2013 #49
I fucking told you Reid supporter 4dsc Jan 2013 #50
the worse majority leader of either party in the history of the senate madrchsod Jan 2013 #58
A boxer that takes a dive is a bum, he needs to loose his belt Dragonfli Jan 2013 #63
I'm wondering if this is why Harkin decided to retire... 47of74 Jan 2013 #85
I think it's pretty clear that this move woo me with science Jan 2013 #86
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