Harry Reid Calls Off Votes To Prevent Scott Brown From Ditching Debate With Elizabeth Warren

[kpete]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid interrupted proceedings on the Senate floor to announce there would be no more votes Thursday afternoon, delaying action on pressing issues like funding the government.

Why? Because he thinks Republicans were fixing the schedule to allow Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) to use evening votes as an excuse to get out of a debate with Elizabeth Warren.

“Madam president, I’m so sorry. We have no more votes today,” Reid said. “No more votes today. It’s obvious to me what’s going on. I’ve been to a few of these rodeos. It is obvious there is a big stall taking place. One of the senators who doesn’t want to debate tonight won’t be in a debate. While he can’t use the Senate as an excuse, there will be no more votes today.”

Reid’s maneuver came moments after the Boston Globe quoted Brown saying he’d skip the debates if called on for Senate business. His move came as a surprise to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who appeared on the floor shortly after Reid to request evening votes proceed as scheduled. Reid objected.

Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/09/harry-reid-calls-off-votes-to-prevent-scott-brown-from-ditching-debate-with-elizabeth-warren.php?ref=fpa

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Glen Johnson@globeglen
MASS. SENATE: Scott Brown says he will miss tonight's debate if he has to because of Senate votes... #mapoli

[Politicalboi]

1. It's starting

The Repukes are going to try and get rid of debates because it only makes them look worse. I do think Ryan will debate Joe, but not so sure about Rmoney. When Biden kicks Ryan's ass, it is going to scare the shit out of Mitt.

[unblock]

4. the conventional wisdom is that debates are an opportunity for the challenger.

incumbents areusually well-known quantity and can't often do much to improve their image.

challengers, by contrast, often have an opportunity to really establish or solidify an image that's barely forming.

in this case, brown is better known than warren, so as long as he has a politically reasonable excuse, avoiding a debate is a good tactic. glad reid pulled the rug out from under him.


rmoney, on the other hand, appears doomed without the debates. it's true that he'll most likely lose them, but the election is what it's all about; and at this stage, the only thing that will improve rmoney's chances is an (unlikely) stellar performance in the debates.

[louis-t]

2. Oh, this is getting gooooood!

[cstanleytech]

7. MMmmmmmm, popcorn. Got any to share with the rest of us before the show starts?

[hue]

3. Bwaaahaaahaaa!

[madamvlb]

5. Loving every minute of it!!!

[AlinPA]

6. Sounds like Brown was that afraid Warren will cut him a new asshole tonight.

[Scuba]

8. Scott Brown's afraid of Elizabeth Warren. Pass it around.

[onecent]

9. Will this be televised on television and does

anyone know what time? Thanks

[YvonneCa]

10. C-Span at 7 Eastern...

...4 Pacific.

http://www.c-span.org/Events/Elizabeth-Warren-D-and-Sen-Scott-Brown-R-MA-Debate/10737434283/

[onecent]

14. Thanks for the info!!

[Qutzupalotl]

11. found this

Thursday’s debate moderated by Jon Keller will air nationally on C-SPAN (and WBZ-4, locally) at 7pm,

http://www.policymic.com/articles/15089/mass-senate-race-warren-vs-brown-debate-schedule-and-preview

On edit: I read elsewhere on DU that the moderator doesn't like Warren.

[santamargarita]

12. Twist a pig's ear and watch him squeal.

[heaven05]

13. hmmmmmph

repug thug/bully turned into a simpering coward. Get em good Ms. Warren. that a..

[olddad56]

15. Maybe Elizabeth Warren can debate an empty chair.

[Trailrider1951]

16. Yeah, she's about to do battle with the poorly armed

and he's looking for any hidey hole he can find.

[markpkessinger]

17. Lots of folks understimate Harry Reid . . .

Here's what they tend to forget about him . . .



LOL!