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In reply to the discussion: Tom Harkin: Filibuster Reform Failure Hamstrings Obama Agenda [View all]BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)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.