Reply #47: It wasn't a surprise

[Bluesbreaker]

The Republicans do it all the time. It's their MO: Find something that is tradition, but not a rule, then use it hijack the legislative process.

The best example of this is the use of the filibuster, which was relatively rare, until Obama was elected. Now, any Democratic bill must have 60 votes. Clearly a violation of SOP, but, hey, no rules were broken.

Almost unnoticed in all the flurry over the debt debate is the GOP holding the FAA hostage. No money unless the rules are changed to bust the unions in the agency. So, we have a semi-functional agency, half shut down.

Prediction: Sometime between now and the end of 2012 there will be some critical piece of legislation that Obama must see passed. Republicans will hold that legislation hostage and demand that he extend the Bush tax cuts as a bargain.