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

[ronspri]

Slime. They have no core!

[DXM]

Let the Republican Senators filibuster. Do NOT just have a cloture vote and, if the Democrats are shy of the 60 votes needed, give up - MAKE THE REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY FILIBUSTER EVERY SINGLE TIME FOR 24/7!!! Make the Republicans filibuster all through Christmas and New Year to the very end of the 110th Congress and do NOT call a recess. Make them drone on and on and make sure that the media catches every second of it. Then come the 111th Congress, make the Republicans filibuster every single time they threaten to and make sure the media catches every second of that. And while the Republicans are obstructing needed reforms and programs as America's economy is declining and its people are suffering, make sure the electorate knows the name of each and every Republican who is obstructing bills and remind the public who's policies created the problems to start with (i.e. GW and the Republicans). MAKE THE REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY FILIBUSTER!!! Eventually they will work it out of their systems and work with the Democrats or they will loose even more seats in Congress.

[rcampbell]

I agree, DXM. That's the way to beat them. Make them talk forever if that's what they want to do. When they're done or properly chastened by the public, we'll vote our way.

[ohioan73]

Its all sounds so juvenile, doesn't it? "Since we lost, we will clog up the pipes and NOTHING will be accomplished, nanner-nanner naaa-ner!" You make good points. Hopefully this nightmare scenario will not occur for the sake of the American people, but if the Reps insist on being difficult and ignoring their constituents, they will essentially just tarnish themselves further, resulting in an Obama reelection by landslide with an even wider margin.

[kmac23va]

Actually, the Senate hasn't recessed for over a year officially­...they always have a pro-forma session every 3 days when they're technically on recess. This is because if they recess, Bush can make recess appointments and avoid Senate confirmation, something they're not letting him do now.

But to your main point, I very much agree. The 60 vote thing is stupid every time just to keep people from having to stand there and read a phonebook if it comes to it. I've seen very few actual attempts to filibuster­...I think Dodd did it in the last year, going for an hour plus on something. Force someone who wants to block legislation to stand there and block it (and yes, stand, unless you have a physical reason you can't like Tim Johnson, Ted Kennedy, or Robert Byrd).

As for the media coverage, C-SPAN (for the House) and C-SPAN2 (for the Senate) will always cover Congress when in session, despite planned programming. I've been able to flip on the Senate floor at midnight even, when the Senate was in then. Sometimes (like last night's auto bailout) the House goes real late too. So while it may not be what you consider "mainstream" media, there's always someone with a camera on the floor if you want to see it.

[SurrealPumpkin]

FILIBUSTER! the ultimate reality tv.

I'm with you on this. Let's write our senators telling them to force a real live 24/7 filibuster.

[Hillrick]

I don't know how but the stench from this guy (Kyl) is coming right through my computer.

[rcampbell]

I live in AZ. I have this prick and McCain for my Senators and a ration of neocons in the House. Doesn't do me much good to write by Congress members expecting "change we can believe in".

[SurrealPumpkin]

At least it lets them know someone thinks they're being jerks. If they get enough people complaining, who knows, maybe they'll listen.

[timberdoodle]

The Republicans main objective is union busting and they will stop the automakers from getting loans and likely put them out of business. If in fact these creates another 3 million lost jobs then these Republicans may have a serious problem.

With 3 million people being put out of work because of one vote from a gang then out of this 3 million there will likely be a good number of wackos who will possibly be looking for revenge. Hopefully I am wrong on this assessment but in my opinion it's just too many people not have some on fringe.

[SurrealPumpkin]

I keep wondering, is Sen. Shelby really happy with the idea of Hyundai or Toyota making America's Tanks and Armored Personnel Carriers?

[Dystopic]

Tanks are not made by GM or Ford. it is manufacturered by General Dynamics Land Systems Division of USA.

[wendynyc]

All these f o o l s have too much power - especially the power of the purse. There is too much money and too much corruption at every level in the Congress. No one puts country before their Party....

We the People have to hold their feet to the fire! Call them about the auto-bailout. The auto industry needs to survive.. Bad credit is killing them!

[GravitonX]

Obstructionists.

We only need to peel away two Republican Senate votes. The ones who won by the skin of their teeth will be made responsible for gridlock.

[Dystopic]

won't be difficult. There are probably 10 or more republicans that are happy that Bush is gone, and will be eager to support the dems and obama's agenda. they see the polls that show 70%+ of americans support Obama. People expect that Obama's mandate will be carried out.

There are some good republicans out there. I wish Lincoln Chafee was still in office. If the republican party was filled with people such as Chafee, we would not be in the situation we are in now.

[AxelDC]

The amazing part of this story is that Republicans are down 14 Senate seats since 2005.

If Republicans use the fillibuster to thwart Obama, they will suffer the same punishment in 2010 that they received in 2006 and 2008. Remember that all 5 of those seats they won in 2004 are up for grabs, and Martinez has already announced his freshman retirement.

[schatsie]

Just think about it, the Repugs are still viable... In Pennsylvania, all of the incumbents were reelected.­... CHANGE is going to be very incremental and stifled and we can go into another deep and dark depression and wonder how we got there..

1. Offshoring jobs
2. Offshoring income
3. Cut the taxes for the rich and don't bother to audit them
4. Healthcare costs due to the FREE MARKET of Hellcare in this country...

If Obama does not come out with a strong plan where people can see hope, then the repugs will get back in like they did under Clinton. When Kennedy was elected, there was no MSM or Mad Dog Media for the Right and the Religious, even Eisenhower was semi-socialist as a result of his military experience and the war...Now, finally the middle class cannot hide their head in the sand anymore, they must face the reality of insecure jobs, no pensions, 401Ks being manipulated by Wall Street Republicans and no healthcare­.....The working class has been facing this reality since the 80s and just could not believe it...

The chickens are all coming home to roost now, everyone thinks OJ Simpson is getting what he deserves and the only question is when will the Repugs be held to account for the last 30 years... Clinton was Republican Light...

[Grunty1]

14 seats out of 66 elections is far more than incremental.
And 2010 is once again mostly Republicans up for reelection.

[Plowboy]

Justice!
So simpled a cave man can see it.
Do you ever think Kyl will?

[Kartoffel]

How about a little perspective. Back in the Clinton administration the Senate confirmed SC nominees Ruth Bader Ginsburg by a 96-3 vote and Stephen Breyer by a 87-9 vote. Ginsburg was a known liberal and refused to answer important questions during her confirmation hearing, but she was still confirmed easily because her qualifications were undeniable. Let's not pretend that it wasn't the Dems who elevated the filibuster into a form of congressional veto for appointments.

[AxelDC]

Which Supreme Court justices did the Democrats reject from Bush?

It was conservative backlash that forced Meiers from the SC. Senate Democrats never had a chance to hold hearings before the Court of Talk Radio convicted and sentenced her.

[UtahLady]

They used the fillibuster because the candidates presented for confirmation were not qualified for the positions to which they were appointed. The questioned candidates had been nominated for their political positions and not their qualifications for the bench. Thankfully a significant number of them were kept off the bench (unfortunately the country had Roberts and Alito inflicated on it, but they at least were qualified jurists).

[Grunty1]

You admit that Ginsburg is qualified, so why would she be blocked?
Many of Bush's appointees were far from qualified, thus they should NOT be confirmed. Once again, the Republicans were ignoring their duty to support their party.

[KaLaPa111]

Hilarious. These a-clowns had full control of the White House and Congress for 6 years and pretty much allowed the Prez/Vice Prez to trample on the Constitution while the rest of the country went down the drain. The right (i.e. legal) way of doing things didn't mean squat at the time.

Now that they are facing down Democratic majorities come 2009, all of a sudden, the Constitution must be respected, presidenti­al/congres­sional policy must be closely monitored, and the power of the filibuster must be kept intact.

I have no problems with those sentiments; I just hope that 32 years from now when they assume power again, they won't conveniently forget the rules and guidelines to which even they must adhere.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Stop hoping, they will forget.

[BARRISTER]

The Senate Democrats MUST put everything to the vote and FORCE the republican weasels to actually filibuster. The threat of a filibuster must not be allowed to stymie any vote. MAKE them do it live on television so that all America can see their destructive obstructionist ways.

[grf67]

Agree - Reid must not turn into a wimp and give the republicans a free pass. Force them to read the telephone book on CSPAN in front of the nation and embarrass themselves. If Reid gives them a pass, he needs to be replaced by someone with a backbone.

[scooperss]

reid is a wimp and he does need to be replaced. I doubt that he will ever be but.......­..........­....

[rf-hawaii]

Let's cave and make the Democrats look foolish and feckless. It's been working great so far.

[AxelDC]

How exactly do Democrats look foolish and feckless? What have they done that offends you so much?

They haven't even taken office yet and you already condemn their work.

[lisa12345]

Let them fillibuster, they will look bad.

It will help us sort out which GOP pols are there because they care about the people and have convictions, and which ones only care about being in power.

it will be a very useful sorting tool for the citizenry.

Seriously: WATCH THIS closely. This will help the people figure out who the bad guys are.

[naeldwyck]

Well, I wish it was so, but the deafening silence in the MSM about GOP's record-breaking number of fillibusters since they lost the majority suggests that it will be hard for most of the citizenry to watch this closely, or at all.

[scooperss]

From my viewpoint there was nothing for the MSM to report on when it came to the GOP and filibusters. The GOP threatened to filibuster and reid/pelosi folded like overcooked noodles.

Did you want the spinelessness of the dems reported in the news?

[Tahut]

If you haven't noticed, the MSM is the new Humpty-Dumpty ... it's taken a fall and can't get itself together again. All that sugar-coated news they've been spreading has rotted out their core and there's not much left but a hollowed out trunk. I suspect there will be a whole new MSM in the making by the mid-term elections. Perhaps they'll have learned the lessons of their predecessors.

[dhertzfe]

Have at it fools! The whole world is watching!

[SamEllison]

I think we need a video of the GOPers from the 109th Congress repeating their mantra.
Up or down vote and nuclear option, over and over.

[indypete]

On prime-time TV, every night.

[Tahut]

That would be awesome!. Especially if it were to air every time the GOP does engage in filibuster­ing...comp­arison and contrast - what they said in the past vs. what they're doing today.

[naeldwyck]

Considering that the campaign of one of their most liberal members called presidential candidate Obama a socialist who palls around with terrorists, I'm afraid I can't really imagine any Supreme Court nominee who will not be "too liberal" for them...

[AxelDC]

Then why does he have a 78% approval rating compared to Bush's 23%?

[naeldwyck]

Er, who? Kyl? Because of the 100 people in the country who know him, 78 are on his payroll?

Seriously, though, I think you didn't get my point: I was pointing out that if even the "most liberal" republican seemed to think Obama is a far left extremist, the average repug will think anything that comes out of the Obama administration will be "too liberal". So I'm expecting Kyl to try to fillibuster every move of the next administration that needs to be approved.