Senate Democrats will pack plenty of muscle

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Senate Democrats will pack plenty of muscle
By Thomas Ferraro Thomas Ferraro – 1 hr 44 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Democrats will be able to do plenty over the next two years -- despite falling just short of their goal of winning a majority big enough to end Republican procedural roadblocks.

Senate Democrats will have the muscle, with the help of a few moderate Republicans, to pass a crush of bills, including ones to stimulate the economy, ensure equal pay for women, ease global warming, lower prescription drug prices for the elderly and change course in the Iraq war.

Together these measures would provide new President Barack Obama a string of victories after he takes office on January 20.

~snip~
But Democrats will be able to reach 60 with the help of a handful of moderate Republicans willing to break ranks with their conservative leadership on certain issues.

"Democrats are going to have 60 votes a lot of the time," said Ethan Siegal of The Washington Exchange, a private firm that tracks Congress for institutional investors.




Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081203/pl_nm/us_usa_congress_democrats

[LynneSin]

1. It'll all be worth it when those Supreme Court nominations come thru

Seriously, I think that's the reason we worked with Joe Lieberman. We know that Stevens and Ginsberg are ready to retire and the democrats will put up a fight for whomever Obama nominates.

We could reach 60 votes even if we lose Franken (and lost Martin in GA) because we have the gals in Maine who are both pro-choice and Arlen Specter who is also a moderate. And for those who think Lieberman is a back-stabber (which well, he is) he's also had a near perfect NARAL record and I would suspect that he would stick with us in a vote.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

7. We'll just be replacing left leaning judges though.

[LynneSin]

8. Yup and that's exactly what we want too

If it wasn't a big deal Stevens & Ginsberg would have probably already retired.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. Clearly they wouldn't have retired under Bush.

It doesn't change the make up of the Court that's all I'm saying.

David

[LynneSin]

10. It could if the Republicans manage to filibuster Obama's nominations

And force Obama to find someone a bit more moderate.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

11. They'll still filibuster any far left nominee.

[AlinPA]

13. Lieberman will help the republicans in their filibusters.

[LynneSin]

15. that's where you're wrong

Lieberman is pretty liberal when it comes to many of the social issues including woman's choice.

And I highly doubt the democrats gave him a pass on that chair seat with a warning about going against the filibuster

I'd be more worried about the Nelsons (Ben & Bill) when it comes to filibustering. I think Joe will be there especially with the court nominations.

[AlinPA]

12. I still don't trust that snake Lieberman. He will stick with his republican buddies.

[pattmarty]

2. Yo, don't forget the Employee free choice act too. We really.........

.........need this one, especially after the last 28 yrs. If Obama sells out on this one, he really will be a disappointment.

[OnyxCollie]

3. Just think of all the stern letters we can write with that muscle. nt

[MsLeopard]

4. Yeah - and how clean we can keep the table!

nt

[kestrel91316]

5. They'll be packin' a lot of REALLY REALLY dry powder, too.

And I am betting they will continue to work to keep it dry.

[99th_Monkey]

6. I'll believe it when they replace Reid with a Dodd or a Feingold ~nt~

[Omaha Steve]

14. Just four short years ago

Republicans were going to end the 60 for cloture rule. No reason we can't do it if they are unreasonable.