Sherrod Brown Says Will Vote Yes.

[MineralMan]

I just saw this on CNN. Wolf Blitzer was interviewing him and he says he's voting yes on the bill.

Edit to delete doubled last name.

[chelsea0011]

1. Huh? I don't get it.

[MineralMan]

4. I'm sorry. What don't you get?

Sherrod Brown will vote for the bill in the Senate. Seems about as simply as I could put it.

[bluestateguy]

2. Leahy too

and Luis Guiterez. Not Blue Dogs by any measure.

[cali]

3. I am so disappointed in my Senator.

There's NO excuse for his voting yes for this travesty.

[MineralMan]

5. You could ask him why he's doing that. Maybe he has a very

good answer he can give you...

[cali]

8. I will be asking him. And so will many, many other Vermonters.

The more I've read about this deal the worse it looks.

[MineralMan]

12. When he answers, please listen carefully and then think about

his answer for a long time. That's my suggestion.

[cali]

13. I just read what he said on VPR

(Kinzel) The legislation calls for $2.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years. It creates a special commission to recommend a comprehensive deficit reduction plan by Thanksgiving. And it extends the debt ceiling until after the 2012 election.

The package does not include any new revenue but the special commission is expected to consider that option.

Senator Patrick Leahy says he supports the bill because the alternative is unthinkable.

(Leahy) "I'm not happy with this at all and I've made that very clear to the leadership and to the White House. But I also realize what the alternative was and I was pragmatic enough to do that. The easy thing would be to say, ‘Look, I'll vote against this because it's not good enough for me.' Well, the fact is it's this or default. It's not the choice one would like but it's the choice we have."

(Kinzel) And Leahy says Republican leaders in Congress improperly used the threat of default as their way to achieve spending cuts:

(Leahy) "I think there was extortion on the other side. But I'm not about to allow the United States to go over a cliff."

He said he's giving in to extortion. Sorry, I don't agree with his decision. I think what Bernie says is far more salient.

[ProSense]

15. Here's

his statement

[MineralMan]

17. Thanks for the link!

[nomb]

14. Guiterez may be looking to go center for local reasons

Redistricting, and he's also a leader of the Hispanic push into the suburbs. (Of which redistricting is such a huge part the Hispanic coalition is suing Illinois for a new map.)

[DCBob]

6. Even Sherrod realizes this needs to be done.

the alternatives are worse.

[MineralMan]

9. Exactly. The bill sucks, but it's the best that's available from

this Congress. Sometimes the choice is difficult. Sherrod Brown's going to take some heat for this, but people should listen to his explanation of why he's voting for it. We'll see if they do listen.

[JI7]

7. if these people could send Obama a better bill he would sign it

being in Congress they know what they are dealing with.

[MineralMan]

10. Absolutely. Right now, they can't, so it's not a great choice, but

it lets the debt ceiling be raised and has some protections in it for other things. 2012 is just around the corner. If we really try, we can elect a better Congress.

[KharmaTrain]

11. The End Game...

This is what representative government is about...and its not always going to be to one's liking. This wasn't the first time we've been to "the brink" and it won't be the last...especially in a bitterly divided and depressed country. No side wins in this situation except that sausage was made and the votes are now counted.

The one thing this "crisis" has highlighted is the detachment with many in the Progressive/Liberal movement and the power elite inside the beltway. Its the byproduct of losing so many seats last year (for whatever reason you want to blame) and "punishing" Democrats next year will only mean things will get worse.

The hope is that the deal was worked where there are no cuts to entitlements (money those of us who've paid in are entitled to) and that cuts in defense will force a drawdown in the foreign wars for profit. But time will tell. One thing for certain, these types of votes will continue as long as the rushpublicans control the House and at least 40 seats in the Senate. The best option is to turn anger and frustration into action and support viable Democrats who can retake the House and 60 seats in the Senate.

[Lifelong Protester]

16. Probably the most reasoned response I have read in the last

few days. I wish I could rec your post!