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applegrove

(118,018 posts)
Fri Sep 13, 2013, 09:46 PM Sep 2013

"Is the Larry Summers nomination falling apart?"

Is the Larry Summers nomination falling apart?

By Neil Irwin at the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/13/is-the-larry-summers-nomination-falling-apart/

"SNIP..................................


Earlier in the week, the Wall Street Journal reported that three key Democratic senators on the Banking Committee are likely to oppose a Summers nomination, namely Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.). Bloomberg on Friday confirmed Brown's likely "no" vote, via his spokesperson. Reuters on Friday reported that a fourth Democrat on the committee, Jon Tester of Montana, is a "no," citing his spokesperson.

Remember, the Summers nomination hasn't even been announced yet. Democratic senators could easily say "no comment." The reason so many are commenting is to lay down a public message for Obama: Nominate Summers, and you'll have a real fight on your hands.

Just doing the math, Democrats have a 12 to 10 majority on the Senate Banking Committee, which would need to clear any nomination, and the four probable defections mean that Obama would need three Republican votes out of the 10 on the banking committee just to get a Summers nomination to the floor of the Senate.

Moreover, the nomination will then hit the floor, where it will almost certainly need to pass a 60-vote threshold. Losing four Democrats — at least — means winning the votes of 10 Republicans. And Republicans have little desire to make life easy for the president.


.................................SNIP"
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Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
1. I dunno-Maybe Obama wanted to take Syria to Congress as practice
Fri Sep 13, 2013, 09:50 PM
Sep 2013

in getting his ass kicked before feeding them the Summers nomination.

Weird that it seems to be the same ad hoc cluster of Right-Left Fellow Travelers that will bid fair to take him down on both counts.

 

HooptieWagon

(17,064 posts)
9. A hold can be placed on the nomination by a Senator.
Sat Sep 14, 2013, 12:14 AM
Sep 2013

and that pretty much bottles it up. Normally its an R doing it, but with the Pres taking such a hard right turn perhaps a D will.

 

mick063

(2,424 posts)
5. The Congressional vote on Summers can easily apply as one of several "litmus tests"
Fri Sep 13, 2013, 10:04 PM
Sep 2013

Especially for those that believe economic inequality is our nation's greatest problem (as I do). The TPP falls in to this category as well. Who will vote to "fast track" it?

I'm waiting at the wings to either congratulate or scold my elected representatives on these issues. Those two votes count for a great deal with respect to whom I support.

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