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

[huffyjive]

Get used to it Dems, slowing the process down by reading the dictionary, phone book, anything written by Stephen King...

[rabbi79]

I am all for that. Make the republicants filibuster like they did back then. Make them actually have to read the dictionary, phone book, whatever. No more of this "Oh we don't have 60 votes? Well, let's just drop the bill then." Make it clear what's actually happening. Get used to the "obstructionist republican" mantra once we have video of these old-time filibusters.

[Reaniel]

It's not how filibuster works nowadays... It used to be like this, but now, it's simply test votes, test votes, test votes, and give up if you don't have 60 for cloture.

[Tahut]

rabbi79 is right on cue. Make the repugs stand up in front of their colleagues as well as CSPAN and deliver their filibuster - no more hiding behind their mommy's skirts. Make them verbally responsible for their actions to the public. I want to hear they lame excuses so I can replenish my ammo supply of crap to throw back.

[scjk67]

this is a clear example that the rethuglicans think they OWN this country, they OWN us people, or they think they OWN just about everything. for the last 28 years ( minus 8 b. clinton) the rethuglicans has moved so far to the right that it just made them clueless. i really believe Obama is going to change this country around making better place for all and each of us.

[indypete]

They've moved so far to the right, I think some of them have actually fallen off the edge.

[scooperss]

Mentally.

[Beachchick]

There is such maturity on the hill.

[LiberalBuzz]

And of course cowardly democrats in their frightened little girl ways won't do a thing.

The Thug party will simply block EVERYTHING because they can.It's interesting that the "liberal" MSM hasn't mentioned that the Thug party has filibustered NINETY FOUR bills. in the last two years.

The democrats SHOULD do the so called "nuclear option" but because they are spineless they won't.

They would rather see the country come to a bankrupted, standstill rather than do what is right.

Cowards...the lot of 'em.

[3dtrix]

Aren't these the same tools who tried to have the filibuster eliminated when the Dems used it on them?

[rabiddog6708]

Take away the Filibuster and the Repubs in Congress become even more useless than they already are.

[research]

The Filibuster is not in the constitution.

It has been changed many times.

Time for it to go away.

Simple majority vote.

The GOP Obstructionists don't care what they do to the country.

The GOP has set to consecutive records for numbers of filibusters.

The GOP still believe in Hoover.

We must not let them stop the Energy New Deal.

[DJBrunner]

While not crazy about the filibuster I'd like it retained but changed so that only 55 votes are required to override it. 60 votes is way too high of a number for a override and in itself just assures obstruction.

[research]

That's ok, but why not go with a simple majority?

Many of these senate folks already have disproportionate power versus the populations they represent.

[MajorKong]

Up or down vote! Up or down vote!

[robXdion]

All this will do is put them in the unsavory position of blocking solutions to ongoing issues. They'll be spoilers as people languish in squalor and disarray. So yeah, have it, enjoy ruining the GOP image and losing even more seats in the House and Senate in 2010.

[Freakpower]

Why don't the DEMs ..Actually make them filibuster... until they stop!

Nothing like watching a retarded opposition hold up democracy!

Make them do it!

[3dtrix]

I'm with you - let the name of every wanker who refuses to allow higher mpg standards be listed in every news service...

Troglodytes...

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Apply Occam's razor - The simplest answer is the correct one.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

If the Democrats control the Senate,
and if the Senate doesn't have actual filibusters,
the Democrats don't want actual filibusters.