DADT repeal won't happen in 2010. (McConnell today). This means it will be

[AlinPA]

voted down in 2011 because the republicans have a bigger advantage in the senate. It was tight this year, impossible in 2011.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/05/mitch-mcconnell-dadt-repeal-tax-cuts_n_792193.html

[GodlessBiker]

1. This should also mean that Obama withdraws the Notice of Appeal in the court case.

[AlinPA]

6. It should, yes.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. I agree

If DAB doesn't get brought up, Obama should pull the appeal pending the Senate's handling of DAB with the DADT repeal amendment.

But again, I think this is just McConnell increasing his ask on tax cuts.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. He's posturing for leverage in the Tax Cut negotiations

[AlinPA]

5. He doesn't need leverage. He has the filibuster.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. He needs leverage on particular points

The negotiations are going how they're going. I expect that what's currently on the table in those negotiations is the status of the DAB. If Mitch is out there saying "Well, probably not on the DAB," then he can go back to the negotiations and ask for more on the tax cut increments.

Obviously they have the filibuster. That's why you have to negotiate with them in the first place. But those negotiations aren't absolute: the GOP has wants, and the Dems have wants, and right now they're horsetrading on those. So, how does McConnell increase his leverage in that horsetrading? He goes out and makes public statements about "probably" not getting to DAB/DADT this year. That is a signal to the counterparties that they're going to ask for more on the tax extensions, and probably shows us that the negotiations are hung up on some point.

Here's what he says publicly: "We probably won't get to DAB this year, so we probably won't get to DADT repeal."
Here's what that means privately: "We'll give you a vote on DAB with the DADT repeal included for X (where X is some GOP want, probably on the tax cut increments)."

[AlinPA]

13. It's really not negotiating with them. They get exactly what they want and are laughing

up their sleeve. Democrats will get zero except humiliation.

[alcibiades_mystery]

14. We'll have to disagree on that point

Each party has particular wants. They are hashing them out in horsetrading as always.

It's nice enough to huff and puff "Let them all expire!" and similar slogans from the safety of your keyboard, but there are unemployment benefit extensions for 2 million people and their families at stake, so it's not as easy for people who are serious about policy. Other Dem wants include, of course, DADT repeal, the DREAM Act, the child care tax credit, the making work pay tax credit, and some others. Unfortunately, the Republicans can filibuster all of these. So let them, right? Again, easy to say when you're not really responsible for all the consequences. There is a lot of legislative keyboard commando action going on around here, and I've had about enough of it. You want 2 million without any income at all starting the week before Christmas? No income for food, heat, rent? Fine. I'm glad our leaders are strong enough not to succumb to such silliness. You want DADT repeal to go away until at least 2012? Fine. I'm glad Obama's going to fight for it here and now. You want to throw away child care credits and the DREAM Act and the making work pay credits so you can "declare a victory?" Good for you That's not a victory for me, because that legislation actually helps people, while throwing it in the trash can only helps your pride.

[AlinPA]

15. No problem, well said. I'm just saying republicans will win everything with their power now. nt

[SidDithers]

3. Then the Defense Authorization Bill doesn't get passed either?...Nt

Sid

[AlinPA]

4. That's what he said. It won't happen this year.

[Exilednight]

11. Republicans will force him to split the bills into two seperate bills. Expect to hear......

the same lyrics set to a different tune. They will argue that the President is weak on supporting the military and refuses to support the troops by forcing a vote on a DADT because he linked it to the DAB.

Eventually, Obama capitulates, splits the bill and maintains the status-quo.

[Initech]

9. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[Warren DeMontague]

10. Gosh, darn it. Well. sheesh. Guess that means everyone will have to work REALLY HARD for the DNC

because next time we have a majority in both houses and the White House, we'll take care of some of these things!











Honest!

[VMI Dem]

12. Good thing Obama appealed that decision, in hindsight.

What a brilliant chess move.