Fantastic (0.00 / 0)

Now we need to push this as far as it can go.  A 51 vote Senate would be best.  Going the other direction, I wouldn't mind some kind of real filibuster that required 40 Senators to camp out on the Senate floor, physically being there each hour, on the hour, 24 times a day, awake and voting, with only one majority Senator present to break it.

---

by: Mark Matson @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 19:58:10 PM UTC

Sidecar reconciliation will give us a steer (0.00 / 0)

For all their differences, using reconciliation for the sidecar and using a Day 1 manoeuver to change the cloture rule both require a huge helping of things that have been woefully lacking amongst Senate Dems in the last few decades: determination, resilience, cohesion, coordination.

They were painted into a corner in which reconciliation was essential to pass anything on health care: they've been spared the agony of nice calculation.

Whereas, next January, there'll be no such pressure on cloture; with reduced ranks, the inclination of Senate Dems towards a Pickett's Charge may be slight.

On the other hand, if Harry and friends can pass the sidecar (and get the health care legislation enacted), they'll have shown themselves they have what it takes (apart from the votes next January, about which who knows?) to change the cloture rule.  

---

by: skeptic06 @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 20:03:33 PM UTC

"undo the filibuster rule" (0.00 / 0)

is pretty strong language for a politician. It suggests more than a meaningless little tweak.

Looks to me like we've just crossed the threshold into mainstream-issue territory. The best move for us now it to convince legislators that real reform will not only hurt them, it can become a powerful campaign talking point. The Reps have no answer to the need to change the rules because of the shameful obstruction. What are they going to do -- defend their block obstruction to prevent popular programs from even coming to an up or down vote? The biggest question is the Dems' willingness and ability to communicate the situation clearly without waffling.  

---

by: DaveW @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 20:50:43 PM UTC

Pelosi must be under enormous pressure - to oppose us. (0.00 / 0)

We'd like to think there's lots of positive action towards the creation of a better bill through a variety of methods.
But listening to VP Biden just now, his quick and short smiling answer to Chris Matthews' general question on whether a bill will get passed is not at all what I call positive news.  He simply said, paraphrased, 'I'm sure Speaker Pelosi will get the votes.'
His only thoughts were on getting the Senate bill through the House.  That's their idea of 'mission accomplished', apparently.

And from what I've seen, I'm worried the wobbling weakness shown by too many of the other House leaders aren't enough to shore up Pelosi's leadership towards a real victory - for all the people.      

Nationalism is not the same thing as terrorism, and an adversary is not the same thing as an enemy.

---

by: worldlymother @ Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 22:23:41 PM UTC

Please don't eliminate the filibuster - here's why (0.00 / 0)

Currently the Republicans and filibustering just about everything.  It is almost like they are trying to force the Democrats to eliminate the filibuster.

The Citizen's United decision means that the corporations are free to dump tons of money on Republican candidates, with the result that the Republicans could take over the Congress and, maybe, even the Presidency.

With the filibuster gone (Repubs: Hey, we didn't eliminate it!), they will be free to force through their dismantling of America in favor of corporate control and benefit.

The Democrats need to preserve the filibuster, with perhaps some slight changes, in order to remain relevant.  If they dump it, they might as well fold up their tents and go home.

---

by: drich291 @ Fri Mar 12, 2010 at 01:04:28 AM UTC