Dems Find Supermajority Hasn't Changed Balance Of Power

Washington Post:

Senate Democrats spent their first full day holding 60 votes just as they have spent the previous 2 1/2 years without such a supermajority: scrambling to find Republican support for their key initiatives in order to choke off potential filibusters.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[NWRICK]

The big deal with 60 is to prevent a filibuster, not to pass legislation.
While that may be the end result, 60 just forces the vote.

[bunny12]

The reason why nothing gets done in Congress is b/c our elected leaders will do nothing that is in the best interests of the country. First, they are more concerned about being re-elected than actually doing something that benefits the whole and not the few. Because our country is made up of a diverse group of people, senators and congress(wo)men will, understandably, not do anything to upset their own constituency. Thus, nothing gets passed. . Second, the Republicans will not support anything a Democrat puts forward and vice versa. It is dispicable and we voted these people into office. They are like children fighting over crayons. They are ineffective. Third, the so-called "Blue dog" Democrats should become Republicans and Moderate Republicans should become Democrats. Of course, that will never happen because they are representing a region that leans either Democratic or Republican and they run for office based on the more popular party in the area they are trying to represent. We need a third party that can be effective and get things done. Aren't you tired of the do-nothing congress--whether it is controlled by the Democrats or the Republicans?

[chargerman]

Love the article. The Democrats with 60 members in the Senate are seeking Republican support. Makes my day that the Democrats can't even control their own members.

[MNmommy]

Apparently you didn't read the article.

There are two very ill Democrats that haven't cast a vote in months.

[abby4ever]

Thank you.

[chargerman]

Ok that leaves 58, why don't they bring up the bill for a vote? Afraid of a Filibuster? If the Dem's are so right the public will side with them.

The Dem's are now terrified about pushing their Health Care program.

[serialcoma]

And you right wingers have the temerity to complain that President Obama doesn't reach out to you enough.... crawl back in your hole.

[chargerman]

He doesn't reach out at all. I'll crawl back into my hole knowing that if the hole gives me any problem I'll use my health insurance to take care of myself.

[Tyler-Durden]

why does it "make your day?" does it please you to delay our nation's recovery from the recession caused by the previous administration? please explain your sadism.

[chargerman]

Look where the stimulus money is going. Not to shovel ready projects, but to Acorn and the like.

[pup sydney]

So Mr Lahood republican in the administration is at transportation. Guess where most of the money of the stimulus package is being spent? Roads in rural areas (GOP voters are there aren't they), rather than in city with orts bridges traffic airports. Well done Obama, I guess there were absolutely NO progressive people that would have filled that position to benefit the nation better. Where are high speed train projects? For heaven sake they can go from Lisbon to moscow faster than we go from salt lake city to Phoenix.

[willt7311]

I thought Joe was administering the "stimulus" bill?

[chargerman]

Where's Joe when we need him? Because as Obama says no one messes with Joe. You Dem's are too funny.

[chargerman]

Ask Obama as I thought he reports to the President. Obama will be the greatest gift to the Republican Party since Jimmy Carter.

[bubbuh]

http://www.drudge.com/news/122203/poll-76-want-public-option-health-care

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/19/opinion/polls/main5098517.shtml

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/07/01/1984293.aspx

Keep those cards and letters flowing. On health care 60 is enough.

[willt7311]

Governing is hard.

[DrHuffington]

Great to see you've joined in on this comedy routine. You’ve missed some funny @ss stuff.

[bubbuh]

How would you know? Your guys never actually tried it.

[LooktotheLeft]

zing !

[levibatgirl]

It is for miss sarah.

She cracked!

[chargerman]

Having guts to do the right thing is even harder. Especially when your leader is Dingy Harry.

[Michelle Alexandria]

So disgusted with the Democrats, but somehow I'm just not surprised. They have always been weak and care too much about wooing Republicans and conservative votes while giving their base the "hand." Assuming we have no where left to go, well I'll tell you what I'm doing. F it, if the Democrats continue down this path I just won't bother to vote for ANYONE ever again. I'm tired of voting for people who will NEVER stand up and fight for something. Can someone tell me what the Democratic party stand for and what they will FIGHT FOR? Anyone? Anything? They are so scared of "losing," that they are completely IMPOTENT.

It's disgusting that Lobbyist are able to buy politicians for such small amount of money. $50,000 here and there and they bend over backwards to do what the donor wants and give away billion dollar no-bid contracts. When I finally save $10,000 I'm going to donate to my local senator so I can start getting million dollar state contracts.

[chargerman]

You have it right 100%.

[lastams]

Well they are standing up for something, that's the problem.
They are standing up for the interests of the big business lobbies that get them elected, keep them elected, and give them nice cushy retirement jobs when they leave "public service".
If nothing else comes of this disgraceful display, it should be an awareness of just how corrupt the two-party system has become.
Never has there been an issue that has so highlighted the total disconnect between the will of the American people and the agenda of the US Senate, or for that matter, the Presidency.
Time to think third party people ... You listening Dr. Dean, Mr. Finegold, Bernie?.
If this party won't represent our interests, please start one that will.

[Budokan]

It's time we get rid of these gutless Democrats once and for all. We don't need them anymore than we need the Ratpig RepubliKans.

http://kennethmarkhoover.com

[chargerman]

I'm starting to agree with some Democrats and you know its a good feeling. Your post is right on.

[minnehot]

You got what you wanted - 60 votes and total control of the White House and both Houses of Congress. NO EXCUSES. You campaigned for all of this nonsense - so pass legislation - make it happen. Cap and Trade? Health Care Bill? Stimulus package produces 11% unemployment? Time to Deliver boys and girls...

Regards,

We're Back in 10'
GOP

[CR46]

I doubt the GOP will be back for decades. But we WILL weed out the blue dogs in 2010 and 2012.

[ChristianEcon.com]

For decades? Not sure why we'd *ever* want that level of disaster again.

[Tyler-Durden]

why would you "be back"? why would you elect anyone who panders to corporations, at the expense of the people? please explain?

[BigAl72]

Yeah, 3010!!!

[vegasobserver]

We need a HYPERMAJORITY...

70 in '10!!!

[PATina]

Gotta love The Daily Show. They did that last week w/ Sam Bee... too funny... but it's also proving to be true. If the Dems can't get it done w/ 60 (or even 58)... they'll never be able to get anything done.

[AmericanWarrior]

Lets do this...

[bubbuh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul8KQD_DBVM
What diversity in unity sounds like.

[greatlardini]

Cons are fans of Heino.

[bubbuh]

Just be very careful of what you order in his cafe.

[bluessss82]

Here is the Republican theme song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raEex1yAW7w

[Khirad]

I couldn't stop laughing. Thanks!

[bubbuh]

B~D lmao

[AmericanWarrior]

Now that was funny. Changerous.... Yes We Klan.

[levibatgirl]

They are so busted!!

[fabricnthreads]

This is scary accurate......so true.

I have never personally understood why Bill Bennett, the virtue/moralist guy, is not repeatedly called out for his comment on aborting all the black babies. It should be brought up every time his head talks on the 24 hr news cycle. It is so very obvious that the Christian right supports him. Okay to advocate the abortion of the black unborn, but to restrict the right to choose? If they were really anti-abortion, they would be 100% anti-abortion. Race would not enter into their scheme. Just another Republican hypocriscy, glaringly revealed in this clip.

One day, Bennett and his ilk will have to answer to their God, and He will not be happy.

Certainly, "Yes They Klan."

[kitkatborn]

Very good. I would only add that it would be a very dull world if everybody thought alike.

[abby4ever]

From the article:

"Reid spent much of yesterday huddled with a handful of Senate Republicans, looking to build bipartisan support for health-care legislation."

Hey, wait a minute. What happened to Harry Reid riding herd on Dems and ordering them 'not to chase the Republican vote'???? Day before yesterday, that was the story on the main thread.

Either the story was false, or this story is false, or something went wrong.

Here it comes (again): 'Everyone knows that the wsj is a Murdoch-owned right-wing rag that never prints the truth.' We heard that for hours in connection with the Rahm story...and yet this rag had that story pretty straight. Or at least it had the quotes of Rahm pretty straight!

:]

[lonestar99]

It's the "Blue Dogs" that are putting the kiabosh on the whole shabang. BO has to deal with these people who are nothing more than repugs that somehow got onto the dems ticket. BO is the head of the Party, these people need to get on board or pay the ultimate price.

[jetphixer]

It's high time for the Progressive party!!Enough of the so called blue dogs.Or the folks who are Representatives of the insurance/banking industries. NOT the people. Either replace them or start our own party IN UNION THERE IS STRENGTH!!!!!!Why have a Evan B ,Ben Nelson,Max Bacus etc. Just have a repb in there place same thing.They might wake up big time!!!

[DrHuffington]

GREAT IDEA, I'd run with it!

[Khirad]

I'm more into encouraging the Libertarian and Constitution Parties.

[PATina]

Good. It's time for both the Dem and Repub parties to realize they aren't the only teams allowed to play. We really need to get away from this "two party" system to a multi party one.

[marley22]

E-Verify amendment passed yesterday because 8 Dem Senators switched sides from March vote.

Fence Completion amendment passed with 21 Dem Senator votes.

Thank you, Dems.

[DrHuffington]

See, I knew you could get legislation passed. Good Job

[lastams]

The supplemental spending bill passed the Senate 91 to 5, proving that bi-partisanship is alive and well so long as the pie is big enough for all concerned.