How Democrats learned to stop worrying and love filibuster reform

[DonViejo]

Earlier this week, Sen. Harry Reid was calling for its reform. Now, Democrats are coming around. Here's why

BY ALEX SEITZ-WALD

How far we’ve come. This week, the White House endorsed reforming the filibuster and no one batted an eyelash. Of course the president supported filibuster reform, the entire Democratic establishment was already on board!

But just two years ago, senior Democrats were saying things like this: “I’m totally opposed to the idea of changing the filibuster rules. I think that’s foolish.” And: “I’m so vehemently opposed to the ideas to fundamentally change the rules of the Senate.” That was Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, who really hated the filibuster, but there were others.

“I think as torturous as this place can be, the cloture rule and the filibuster is important to protect the rights of the minority… My inclination is no,” Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor told The Hill’s Alexander Bolton when asked about reform in 2010.

“I think we should retain the same policies that we have instead of lowering it… I think it has been working,” added Hawaii Democrat Daniel Akaka.

complete article:
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/30/how_democrats_learned_to_stop_worrying_and_love_filibuster_reform/

[patrice]

1. Won't ending the week-long delay of going into Conference Committee alone REVEAL some of

the hidden doors into secret back-rooms where PRIVATE deals are done before the House-Senate committee takes a bill up? It seems like that delay would have been very instrumental in some folks getting their ducks all in a row before the people (Ha!) get a crack at what's on the table.

[patrice]

2. And actually speaking for the duration of a filibuster could be VERY instructive to the public...

at large.

I look forward to this great educational opportunity!

[patrice]

3. Dodd = banking, btw, so you can see why he'd want to retain control & avoid sunshine. nt

[Filibuster Harry]

4. If the Rs are going to filibuster 100 + times in 2013 I want to see them stand and

talk, and talk, and talk. You want to obstruct go and earn it boys.
Mitch, " we are going to make him a 1 term president" is now complaining and crying. God works in mysterious ways and this time he is on OUR side.

[musiclawyer]

5. Article is behind a pay wall

So I don't know why they have come around according to the author. But the reason should be obvious. A broken senate means blame is displaced evenly. A reformed filibuster or nuked filibuster (what I want) totally exposes the GOP for what it is. Obstructionist. You get the Dem Senate to pass good laws and see the house stop everything, guess who gets the blame ?
The key is getting things passed. Grinding gridlock assures no Dem house in '14.
On the other hand when people see a functioning Senate followed by an obstructionist GOP house, my money is on a House flip in '14.