GOP Learns To Love The Filibuster

Senate Republicans had no love for the filibuster when they were in the majority, even going so far as to discuss a "nuclear option" of abolishing it. But times have changed, and Republicans have discovered a new respect for this senatorial power as they face an enhanced Democratic majority. The Economist notes:

In 2005, Republicans held 55 Senate seats and fought a protracted battle over judicial nominations that climaxed in a threat to end the filibuster power of a 40-vote minority. At the time, Mr Kyl was passionate about the rights of the duly elected Republican majority.

"My friends argue that Republicans may want to filibuster a future Democratic President's nominees. To that I say, I don't think so, and even if true, I'm willing to give up that tool."

Now, the Democrats will have at least 58 votes in the Senate. Mr Kyl's new thinking:

"Mr Kyl...warned president-elect Barack Obama that he would filibuster U.S. Supreme Court appointments if those nominees were too liberal."

Republican Senator David Vitter is also threatening to filibuster the bailout of the auto industry which just passed the House. Vitter called the bailout plan "ass-backwards," an unfortunate phrase that Vitter might want to avoid.

Comments

[thaneb]

The laid-off e.g. Toyota workers are voters too, and if not distracted by unfounded appeals to guns etc. I think they will have sympathy with their unionized cousins and this will come back to bite some of these guys. Dems should also be effective in reminding the voters of such obstructionism when the same minority party actors later point to dissatisfaction with a "do nothing" congress.

[enyapjeff]

Those southern red state senators that have foreign auto manufacturing plants in their states are whores to these Japanese and German countries.

They are also part of the same bunch of a$$holes that voted for the Iraq war.

They need to be impeached.

[Ron1951]

the negative, polarizing republicans threatened the "nuclear" option for the past 8 years. well, maybe they were right. There is nothing in the constitution about the right to filibuster, and if all republicans are going to do is be negative and try to block the mandate of the incoming administration, then we should not have to wait another 4 years to vote out more of these obfuscating senators.

Kyl never thought the shoe would be on the other foot. Well, there's something else he was wrong about.

[ThomasMc]

Elected Democrats are such pansies they will NEVER stand up for themselves, or for us.

[Twopennygal]

I think the Dems should turn the tables on the repubs and go for their own "nuclear option." I'm sick and tired of the repubs' blaming everyone else for their own dastardly actions.

[BBackSoon]

The Repugs do not filibuster. They say the word and the Dems back down. The real idea of a filibuster is to keep the floor for hours or days isn’t it? Not to use it like saying Padlock Jinks or Parley. If they are going to call for a filibuster make them put up or shut up. You want to stop this vote by tying up congress, break out the cots and let’s see who wants to spend the night.

No more freebees.

[LeftisBetter]

They do filibuster-94 times in the last 2 years. It's no wonder people didn't approve of congress.

[BBackSoon]

They only said Filibuster, and then the Dems backed down. That is not a filibuster, that is the threat of filibuster.

[KDay]

Repugs are not for country first. They will try to destroy it further than work with Obama.

[ElBruce]

I say filibusters should be done exactly like in Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. If you want to hold the floor, you have to physically stay there and talk continuously. No shutting up for more than a few seconds. No bathroom breaks. No meal breaks. No sleeping. No only having to do it until a near dealine passes. And definitely no getting your way based on the mere threat of filibuster.

Let's see how many of those old white men would do it if they actually made them go through with it.

[Yarrr]

I agree completely. The fillibuster power now is basically the petulant obstructionist power.

[Senzasord]

Absolutely correct. You want to fillibuster Mitch? Here is the microphone, there is a bucket to piss in, the C-span cameras are right up there to record every pearl of wisdom you utter. Bring it on! This nonsense will grind to a screeching halt once the American people finally see what idiocy these obstructionists have to resort to in order to get their way. Imagine the wonderful C-Span footage that can be culled for the next campaign if these loudmouths had to actually make good on their threats. That is change we deserve.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

I agree completely. If you filibuster you should stand and deliver until you dribble down your legs. I am going to write to my senators and the leadership and ask that this procedure be re-instituted. I hope you will do the same. Bring back the real filibuster. Make these chicken-hawks stand and deliver.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

They better learn to love the 'nuclear option' also then, because they first and often - threatened to use it.

[Jimmyboyo]

typical repub hypocricy and psych 101 diagnosable bully attitude.

[LeeCalif]

Shows why a third party is so necessary.

republicans don't understand the need for taxes.

democrats don't understand the need for backone.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

So, why don't you start the new party?

[Rog49Thomas]

Discovered imagined principles are the refuge of those who lose elections.

If you live near the District, I'd recommend you get a dust mask.

There will be lot of dust in the air as Republicans get out their copies of the Constitution - which have been safely tucked away in the basement for the past eight years.

If you're allergic to airborne mold, you may wish to see your doctor now.

[sjones66]

Oh, is it still intact? I thought Bush had decimated it beyond recognition. I voted for Obama precisely because I believe in the foundation of our govt as laid out in the constitution and I was sickened by the way the Republicans systematically destroyed it.

I'm sure each party while in power has less of a need to rely upon it, however, I haven't seen the Democrats trying to turn this into a Fascist state or a corpocracy. The Republicans are the party of corporations, big money, and illegal power grabs. They used to be known as pro-business, but now you could say they are pro-world domination and plundering. While they've tried to tell us those tow are the same things, there are enough Americans who think for themselves so that this didn't fly.

The difference is, Obama will work to restore those lost principles. As a constitutional scholar and lawyer, he understands the importance of checks and balances. The Republicans are too stupid and poer hungry to even realize that one of the many benefits of checks and balances is they would never have gotten THEIR way with Wall Street had they not ignored the constitution. In many ways, they would not be universally hated and despised for their weakness and failed policy had they not been allowed to rule absolutely. Ignorant fools. They're like the Court Jester who finally got some power. too dumb to know what to do with it. 8 years later, POOF. Gone.

[Rog49Thomas]

good points

two further thoughts ...

first, the constitution is not some magic document that works by itself

it requires two things to be effective:

(1) citizens exercising their rights and duties

(2) the various branches of government to act as checks and balances

second, i think the reason the RP is out of power is due to

(1) mind numbing incompetence in execution rather than ideology

sadly i don't think most voters in this country give a rodent's posterior for the fact that the war in Iraq is illegal or the death and destruction we've visited on the Iraqi people - they're mad because the was was screwed up

and the same with other issues

(2) the unfortunate collapse of the economy

(3) the reductio ad absurdum of the conservative doctrine

[Yarrr]

The fillibuster power is totally broken. It should either be fixed or banned.

[Dystopic]

then what will Mitch McConnel do?

[Chapmanp2]

I say change the rules & make em' actually go through the motions of a true fillibuster. If these jack asses are gonna obstruct the people's business they ought to have to explain their bizarre behavior to the American people...

[bogues]

Just like everything else the republicans are on both sides of every topic. They do what suits them and they don't care what the country thinks. They have never cared about what ordinary Americans need or what we think or how we feel. They are in it for themselves. That is why they lost this election and they still have not figured that out. That is also why they are working so hard to turn the American people against President elect Obama. They cannot stand the thought of him fixing the many messes they created.