Our counter-nuclear-option

[Guaranteed]

John W. Dean's take on our response to a removal of the filibuster in the Senate:

"The Democrats do have one final weapon in their arsenal. If Republicans try to remove the filibuster option, then Democrats can try to make the Republicans play by all the Senate's Rules, construed literally. That, in turn, would bring the Senate's business to a halt - save for the barest essentials - and thus, Congress' business as well, for the House cannot pass laws without the Senate.

The Senate operates largely by 'unanimous consent,' which enables it to waive the myriad rules of procedure. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D NV) has made clear that should the destroy the filibuster option, he will not "enter into any consent agreements" except regarding matters that affect U.S. troops or are necessary for the continuity of government operations.

In effect, the Democrats have the option of nuclear winter. If they don't rely on this counter-tactic - with the hope of restoring Republicans to their senses - they might as well pack up and go home. No longer would there be an opposition party in the Senate."

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20050408.html
-------------------------------

So, that would effectively shut down the Senate. We just don't waive the procedural issues.

[benburch]

1. Give 'em HELL Harry!

Excellent!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Uh, I don't think that was Howie Dean ..... that was John Dean

As in Nixon ....... and now a truthteller.

Howard is a great guy and I love him, but this wasn't his statement.

[benburch]

10. Even weirder...

I had MEANT to type Harry and not Howard. Corrected now.

Comes of typing and listening to radio at the same time.

[HereSince1628]

2. Mutually Assured Disruption...sounds like stalemate is possible

[benburch]

3. Can GOP make Quorum without us?

What is Quorum in the Senate?

[Guaranteed]

5. Well, that's what I was wondering at first...

But it turns out this isn't the Democrats just not showing up at the Senate. Normally, in order for things to run smoothly in the Senate, they have what's called "unanimous consent" to waive a bunch of procedural issues.

Reid is saying that he's going to remove that unanimous consent if the Republicans do this, and it will effectively shut down the Senate because of all the procedural garbage they're going to have to wade through.

[On the Road]

4. Looks Like They Picked the Right Guy

for minority leader. I am so glad to see this.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Harry has turned out to be a great leader for our party.

When is the filibuster nuclear option suppose to go to the Senate floor? I thought it was suppose to happen this week? Did the pope's death postpone it?

[Stinky The Clown]

9. I would argue with you just a tad .... Reid is an excellent **Senate**

leader .... dunno that I want him as party leader or to even imply that he is. His job so far as the leader of the **Senate** Dems has been remarkably impressive, particularly as compared to his predecessor (what was his name?).

Just a minor point .....

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Good point and that's what I meant. Tom Daschle?

Is that who you were thinking of? Daschle was useless!

You're right. I should have said Harry is a Great leader of the Senate Dems...except I still am not comfortable with his being anti-choice.

[patrice]

8. "That, in turn, would bring the Senate's business to a halt"

Thus earning certain gratitude from Libertarians, but then, because they are Libertarians, that may not amount to anything practically speaking.

I know because I live with two.

[benburch]

11. As a former Libertarian...

Many are useless. But there are some we can win over, and we should.

[patrice]

14. I think Libertarians will attract more people soon . . .

As cracks in the machine open up further, and some people actually start weighing two "opposed" positions, their response to the confusion will be to become "Libertarians", so they can encompass whatever contradictory positions they identify with.

[AnnInLa]

13. Read somewhere that Corporation Big Donors/Lobbyists were against

the Nuclear Option, because with the Senate effectively shut down, how will they get their usual pet-pork projects approved. Hopefully, they will persuade Frist not to go for it. But, Santorum came out yesterday and said Frist will attempt the Nuclear Option.