We should leave the filibuster as is. Yes or no?

[Perky]

Poll question: We should leave the filibuster as is. Yes or no?

Not sure this is a smart move. Given that we barely have a majority in the Senate and we can barely herd them into the same room let alone get them to vote the same way. Kill the Filibuster when the only thing stopping HCR being gutted is the whim of Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman. Not sure. Obviously the President has a veto pen. but that would only force him into untenable or embarrassing actions if there is no protection provided by the Senate. No thanks. I hate abuse of the filibuster but it is a valuable tool when wielded with discretion.

[Goblinmonger]

1. The majority party always wants it gone.

It would be stupid to get rid of it.

[krawhitham]

15. No it would not be stupid to get rid of it

The GOP 95% the time has the balls to force a filibuster, while the Dems never have the balls. how many times did they lay down and allow Bush to push bills through?

[Goblinmonger]

19. That's an argument for the Dems to be a little tougher

not to get rid of the filibuster.

[Very_Boring_Name]

27. The filibuster was used plenty of times by dems

Not nearly on the same scale the republicans have used it, but it was used, and it will be used again when the republicans are in power. Getting rid of it is so short sighted that I can't believe any intelligent person would even consider it. It does need to be CHANGED however. Senators should have to stand in the chamber and actually speak, not just say "I'm filibustering this" and leaving it at that.

[Recovered Repug]

25. The majority party CLAIMS to want it gone.

I wonder how many (from both sides) would vote to get rid of it. The filibuster is a good excuse for not getting things done and provides a way for a senator to be "for" something without ever having to explain the vote at re-election time.

[NYC Liberal]

28. I supported it even when we were in the minority.

The House was passing legislation only to have the bills die in the Senate because of Republican filibusters. No filibuster > pass more needed legislation > shit gets done > people like and vote for the party that got things done. There was plenty of good legislation that DID get passed, but even more could have been had it not been for the filibuster.

And how many times did the filibuster help us when we were in the minority anyway?

[kenfrequed]

2. Convenient isn't it

Now when the GOP are positioning to take over congress they ant to be able to ram their BS through.

[elocs]

3. In 2 years from now when Dems have lost the Senate a good question to ask would be:

Was killing the Filibuster a Smart thing? Because then it won't seem like such a cool idea.

[harun]

18. It would still be worth it. Never get any change without it.

[Cosmocat]

21. They don't have to do ANYTHING procedurally about the filibuster ...

Reid was 5 years and 2 weeks late kicking these idiots in the butt to do their jobs, NOW they are going to reform the filibuster ...

I got new for people ...

You don't have to do ANYTHING procedurally the filibuster - all you need is for the Rs to have the majority, even by one senator, and the Ds in the minority, and all you will hear 24-7 is the need for "up and down votes" and Ds quivering in a corner obediently doing them ...

[rosesaylavee]

4. I didn't think it was about 'killing the filibuster'...

Isn't it about bringing it more in line with what people already think it is? To change it from a threat of one stopping a bill to where the Senator who has a disgreement with a bill actually has to stand up and state what his/her problem is with it.

Voted OTHER as this poll is not worded well. Perhaps rephrase thru edit?

[chimpymustgo]

16. What you said. The fillibuster needs to be reformed to have meaning. And the poll wording improved

[struggle4progress]

26. +

[Dokkie]

5. I am confused

I disagree that its a smart thing to kill the filibuster and agree with the supporting statement in the op, now how should i vote? The only reason why we r in so much problem is not the filibuster but instead the refusal of senate democrats to use it during the Bush administration. i say with all its flaws, keep it the way it is.

[denverbill]

6. Kill it and replace it with the original filibuster.

Democrats have no more right to obstruct Republickers than vice-versa. It's ridiculous that it's being used to obstruct everything from Presidential appointments to health care reform when 51 votes is enough to pass any bill. The filibuster should be rarely used and only a temporary blocking maneuver.

[phleshdef]

7. The filibuster should remain powerful, but it should also be a burden for those participating.

It shouldn't be the burden of the majority to piece together 60 votes. It should be the burden of the minority to hold on to 41. They should have to work to maintain it. And even if the majority only has 59 votes because a Senator passed away or could not be present, they should still get cloture if the opposition can not hold together 41 no votes.

The filibustering senators should have to have all 41 opposing senators present and the opposition should be required to have senators standing on the floor, talking, stating the reasons for their opposition.

If at any point the filibustering senators try to take a break or go home for the weekend or leave for the holidays, if it brings their numbers present below 41, then the filibuster is broken, period.

[Inchworm]

8. +1

This is my understanding as well.

[Raine1967]

9. Basically, this is the Udall plan.

I like what they are attempting to do.

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/4486-democrats-plan-push-to-curtail-use-of-filibusters

I want a fix. I want a fix that is fair for whoever is in the minority.

[Inchworm]

12. Thanks!

:thumbsup:

[paulk]

13. +1

thanks for posting that link

[Raine1967]

10. Serious question RE: the Poll

Are you asking people to agree with your statement or the title of the OP? Are you asking people if they agree with you or that we need a fix to the filibuster?

[Perky]

11. I fixed the Subject line

[Inchworm]

14. 2:20pm - seems Heritage Foundation is on this topic on C-span

in case anyone wants to see their point-of-view.

http://www.cspan.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN/

[harun]

17. Change needs filibuster reform.

[karynnj]

20. It depends what is changed

Some proposals do not result in completely eliminating it.

I do see merit in your concern that requiring more than 51 votes in the Senate could make sense.

[Little Star]

22. You ask a yes or no question in your header then........

give agree or disagree choices. I did not know how to vote.

I think the filibuster rule should not allow either side to abuse it like the repugs have been doing since Pres. Obama got in.

[craigmatic]

23. It's hard to say. We'll miss it if the repubs ever get control of the senate.

[DrToast]

24. Let's just get rid of the Senate

Then the filibuster will go with it.

[vaberella]

29. We do that and when the nation gives itself the finger like it did with the new 112th Congress...

We'll want them back again.

[flpoljunkie]

30. Must See Video: Endgame Strategies, LLC, 'sells' Senate filibusters, secret holds to their clients

Last night on Rachel Maddow. Chris Hayes was sitting in. This segment includes an interview with Ezra Klein, as well.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#40918663

[Dawgs]

31. It should have been changed two years ago; along with Harry Reid as leader.

:(