2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumPoll: Did Harry Reid Kill Real Filbuster Reform To Prevent Real Change
It sure looks like, if Harry Reid wanted to, he could have found 51 votes, especially if he used pressure and negotiation, to pass real filibuster reform-- the Mr Smith Goes to Washington kind, the elimination of single senator holds.
But he didn't. Now, he gets to use the filibuster as an excuse for not getting anything done.
Of course, the argument people use to defend him is that he fears the time when the GOP controls the senate, and wants to reserve the filibuster for Democrats when they are in the minority.
More with source site poll... http://www.opednews.com/populum/page_poll.php
29 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
NO. Reid was being practical, avoiding the time when Republicans control the senate. | |
6 (21%) |
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Yes. Reid wanted to keep gridlock and the status quo. | |
18 (62%) |
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Not sure. | |
5 (17%) |
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0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
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Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)Obstruction works well for just about everyone in Congress.
djean111
(14,255 posts)Everything can be changed, sooner or later.
Cal33
(7,018 posts)liberalmuse
(18,671 posts)I like Reid, but he's never been the leader I'd envisioned. He talks a good game, but pulling it off is another story. I've not been in his position, and don't know everything he's up against, so I can't really judge his character, but I can say it is disappointing to see yet another positive reform get shot down. Democrat or Republican, Congress is a good 'ol boys club who get tons of perks. Why would they want to rock the boat for the people they are supposed to represent? How do they line their pockets and get future job positions as CEO's of the companies who've bought and paid for them doing that?
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)demwing
(16,916 posts)or failed to try.
Either case, he shouldn't be Majority Leader.
Third Doctor
(1,574 posts)I have seen this coming from Reid more than once and I made excuses and explained it away. But the truth of the matter is plain to see now. It was combination of his poor leadership and status quo/corporatist dems that sank this.
HubertHeaver
(2,520 posts)msongs
(67,347 posts)stultusporcos
(327 posts)bought him and who he will be beholden too.
Look for a thread from me on it
MiniMe
(21,708 posts)That is a big if there, but a lot of dem Senators retiring in 2014, so you never know
butterflygirl
(44 posts)I don't know why but the way things are going for the repubs, my bet is on the democrats picking up more senate seats. The country is becoming more aware of what these repubs are up to and it's not of their liking. Americans were smarter then the repubs gave us credit for.
While a lot of people were running around wringing their hands about Obama winning, I never had one moment of doubt he would win by a big margin. Everyone was talking about how the polls were so close. Pundits on both MSNBC and Current (don't watch Faux or CNN) were even saying they thought Obama would win but it would be close. All I did was laugh and yell at the tv that they didn't know what they were talking about. I was right.
Now, I am aware that a lot will depend on the turnout for the 2014 election, but still, I really believe that this country is like a sleeping giant starting to wake up pay attention. Boner says Obama is trying to annihilate them, I say their doing a fine job on their own.