When a GOP Senator says there would be a "minor revolution in this country" if Senate Democrats go it alone and pass health care reform using the reconciliation process you know they're nervous. That's what Lamar Alexander said today. The only way to avoid said revolution, according to Alexander, is to work in a bipartisan fashion. Of course that is just code for "we want to kill health care reform." (Aside: Remember when LAMAR! ran for President? Talk about your minor revolutions.)
Alexander is not alone in his desperation. GOP Senator Judd Gregg says "Republicans will wage a vicious fight" if the Democrats use the parlimentary maneuver which would undermine Republican filibuster plans. Ooooh. I really want to see a vicious fight in the Senate. Unfortunately Gregg is just talking about his own parlimentary trick. Basically he plans to object. Repeatedly. Now that's vicious!
Personally I take these dire warnings as good news. We're getting closer.
I can think of at least three ways that, by announcing his retirement now, Trent Lott was able to stick it to Democrats. First, it sidesteps new ethics laws:
A senior Republican source close to Lott said one reason for the decision is the new lobbying restrictions on former lawmakers.
A law kicks in on January 1 that forbids lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. Those who leave by the end of 2007 are covered by the previous law, which demands a wait of only one year.
Second, it comes about three weeks after the Governor's election in Mississippi, thus preventing making his replacement a campaign issue. Haley Barbour will appoint a Republican.
Third, it means that Lamar Alexander will be the new minority whip. This means that there is basically no chance Alexander will retire now, and that his new, more powerful position will put his seat out of play once and for all. the only poll on the campaign in Tennessee, which I cannot find right now, already showed Alexander ahead 60%-29%.
So, Trent Lott has managed to give Democrats one final fork in the eye as he leaves. At least he will be gone, and his replacement will have to face re-election next year. I don't know if we can make that seat competitive, but I do know that whoever we nominate in Mississippi almost certainly isn't going to be a progressive anyway.
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