So. What does it actually MEAN if (IF!) we suffer huge losses come Tuesday?

[Grown2Hate]

The Republicans are obviously going to try and overreach legislatively, as long as they can whip their Frankenstein the TeaBaggers in to line (more tax cuts for the rich, union-busting, social spending cuts, ad nauseum). And while there is potential for the Repukes taking over the House, their is little to no chance that they take over the Senate, and ZERO chance of any HOPE of a veto-proof majority. The mantra for the last week or so (from Orange Man, Pence, Can'tor) has been "NO COMPROMISE". So... what happens?



Does everything just grind to a halt?

Does President Obama order an actual cabinet-full of veto pens?

Do the remaining Democrats take this election (incorrectly) as an edict to go more conservative (in much the same way that they apparently got the WRONG hint from the 2008 election to govern even MORE center/right somehow)?

Do the TeaBaggers splinter and weaken the Repukes on their way to becoming the fringe, whipped caucus?

Or do they pull the Pukes even FURTHER to the right (at some point there is no more "right" to the right and they go careening off a cliff, correct? Aren't we already THERE?!)?

Is there a silver lining in that whatever Blue Dogs we lose could potentially be replaced with some ACTUAL progressives in 2012 (if we, as a species, make it that far)?

Is America going to sour to this far right agenda by about February of 2011 and come back to their senses in 2012 with a vengeance (an easy "YES", if you ask me)?

Does this myth of bipartisanship finally die a quick, bloody death?



Let's put it this way... I have NO interest in finding out. We can't go back on the progress we've actually made (however we may argue about how MUCH progress has been made, the Baggers are eager to roll us back to 1929 anyhow, or hell, 1429).

So... GET. OUT. THE. FUCKING. VOTE. Whatever we can do, whoever we can call, whoever we can convince to come out and VOTE for DEMOCRATS, let's DO SO. Too much is riding on this election to sit it out. G.O.T.F.V.!!!

[jzodda]

1. Does this myth of bipartisanship finally die a quick, bloody death? YES

If the "wave" occurs and the Repukers take the house you will have probably a more right wing house then even after 1994. We will have probably the most partisan Congress overall in our lifetime.

Nothing will get done. Not one damn thing. We won't be able to get through stuff and neither will they so for 2 years we will have ultimate gridlock. Thats what I foresee.

[Grown2Hate]

4. Oh, there's NEVER been "bipartisanship" extended FROM the R's TOWARD the D's

(at least not since I started following politics around 2000), so I'd like to see us cut it the fuck out, watering down bills specifically for Repuke support, only to have NONE of them vote with us.

[Valienteman]

2. It means many will have to explain why they said Nate Silver's model was "very flawed"

And why they said that since he now works for the NYT then he sold out.

[Grown2Hate]

5. Unfortunately, Nate just crunches numbers, and in a pretty damn reasonable

and all-encompassing fashion. So his assessments have depressed me quite a bit this time around. It doesn't (didn't) depress my VOTE, however, which is the most important thing. Again, I'm not "doom and gloom", but I've ALWAYS lived under the motto, "Hope for (and work toward) the best, prepare for the worst". I see a LOT of drinking in the forecast for Tuesday night (either way!).

[Fire1]

3. It means PO will simply be a figure head. n/t

[AlinPA]

6. It means no Democratic legislation would be done. In effect, the teabaggers will be in charge, even

if Democrats have the majority of House and Senate members.

Actually the republicans control the Senate now by way of filibuster.

The House would be a republican - Blue Dog "Democrat" controlled body.

[harun]

7. Veto Pen's? LOL You think anything is actually going to make it through the Senate?

NO FLIPPIN WAY. It will be null and void, nothing will pass.

[Cosmocat]

10. Right ...

HOPEFULLY even the doomsday scenario has the Ds holding the senate to hold up anything ridiculous from the house, and even if the Rs get the senate it won't be by more than one or two seats, and if the Ds can't pull an R and filibuster anything ludicrous that might get to the senate for a vote ...

Well ...

[Grown2Hate]

12. Well, if they SOMEHOW manage the Senate (aka: not going to happen), they you'll

start hearing talk IMMEDIATELY of a "Nuclear Option", filibuster reform, "straight up and down votes", the "will of the people", and all such tripe. Count on that.

[harun]

16. The Corporate Media will be screaming "Nuclear option!" the next day, no doubt.

[GSLevel9]

8. the answer is "not much"

Let's say the House goes Pub and the Senate stays DEM by 2-3 votes.

The House will introduce ALL KINDS of legislation forcing the Senate and administration on the defensive against these whacko bills.

Things like budget cuts...

They want to pass "reasonable" legislation and force the DEMS to shoot it down.

Basically the next 2 years of a Pub House of Reps is a set-up for 2012 and calling the DEMS "the problem" while they're the "solution"




So if you're afraid of any ACTUAL legislation emerging from the House... don't be. It will be gridlock and inaction decorated by "it's the DEMS faults!"

[Grown2Hate]

11. Well, if they're not able to get anything MAJOR through, and the economy continues

to improve (however slowly that may be, especially for all of those out of work right now), the Dems can point to their policies as having worked. Again, we'll have to play what is dealt, but I just don't see a complete and total bloodbath.

That being said, are the Pukes STUPID enough to actually start impeachment hearings (IF they take control of the House)? That's what I'll be waiting and listening for...

[JoePhilly]

14. Impeachment hearings start in the House.

The GOP has no ideas and no plans.

Sure they will float some nonsense bills that will go nowhere.

But given they have no ideas, they will have lots of time on their hands. And they will use that time in investigations.

They will shut the government down, and they do not care what the consequences of that are.

Through inaction, they will ensure that the unemployed get screwed even more.

Cut funding to the states, sure ... screw the teachers, absolutely ... and put out your own fires. Hire your own security force if you need police.

[BlueIdaho]

9. When the elected teabaggers -however many that may be

Realize they are bought and paid for by corporate America, they will sink into the morass that is Washington. They will not pass one single bill that fills a teabagger promise. The baggers back home will become super pissed, then super dejected, oh and they might exact their "second amendment remedies" on their own candidates.

edit = typo

[kwolf68]

13. Remember

if the Repukes take control they and the media will say that is a 'clear mandate' to move further to the right and Obama should go with them...

however, when the Dems swept into the congress in 08 with Obama we were cautioned to 'not go too far to the left' and to 'reach out to Republicans'.

The media is no more valuable than the turd's in my cat's litter box.

[Grown2Hate]

18. Agreed. About as useful, but far more dangerous for human consumption. NT

[mcollins]

15. We won't.

We may loose a few seats, typical for the party in power during a mid-term. But- on Nov 3rd we continue to fight for what we know is right.

In 2012, when President Obama is elected to his second term, the republican party will finally die.

[Grown2Hate]

17. Goddamn, I love your optimism. I still have the champagne corked (to be uncorked once

we hit the magic 218 seats in the House and 51 in the Senate, quite literally), and I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll actually be able to pop that cork (or at least an optimistic bone somewhere in me). I am, however, preparing myself for the worst.

[pstokely]

19. What gives you that suspicion?

?

[Grown2Hate]

21. Honestly? Nothing. My pervasive optimism. My hope that the Democratic vote is being WAY

underestimated. Nothing factual and tangible, unfortunately. Perhaps "sneaking suspicion" was the wrong turn of phrase. "Nearly unfounded cautious optimism" is probably more accurate. :evilgrin:

[mcollins]

20. Prepare for the worst- hope for the best,

and never ever give up.