Got to talk with Levin this weekend

[JNelson6563]

We had a busy weekend of political events here in the north country of the mitten & I attended two events Senator Levin was at. For the first event he arrived once the program had begun so I didn't see him before he stepped up to the podium to address the crowd. I was struck with how old he looked, it seemed he had aged much since I last saw him in person in January. The word "beleagured" came to mind. I share this reflection with you to remind you all it's easy for us to sit back and toss around criticisms without any clue/consideration as to just how grueling the actual job can be.

On to the main topic: Iraq. He was quite plainspoken on just how it all works in the Senate, as he always is. Both of my Senators speak enviously of the House and how quickly it can move in comparison to how it works in their world. Levin said "I work in a wierd place" after describing the cumbersome restraints they are under.

He explained how cutting off funding was impossible to achieve due to not having 60 votes to do it. He talked about the legislation that got voted down in the Senate but passed in the House. Talked about how this would be brought out again this week (today I think). He talked about the support they thought they had for it this time around (more than last time) and how the magic number was 60, of course. When talking about the vote he said "Lieberman's not with us". Sounded a bit disgusted. I think he was nice to him in a recent episode that DU went ballistic over in the hopes of winning his support. If so I'm here to tell you all such hopes seem to be gone.

The bottom line of what he had to say was that they need so many Rethug votes to pass binding legislation and how they are just maybe getting what they need now. Having read here on DU that Reid's planning to keep the Senate working 24/7 on this issue, I better understand why Levin was seeming to put so much stock in what was to happen this week. I also saw the story in LBN this morning that Team Bush has rejected a GOP plan on Iraq. The GOPers know they need to win re-election after Little Boots is long gone and they aren't going to take too kindly to their plan to save their asses rejected by the sock puppet they have propped up for so long. I think this slight will help drive more Rs to support the D legislation this time around.

Julie