General Discussion

meadowlander

(4,386 posts)

121. Committee memberships are detemined by the majority party.

Reply to guillaumeb (Original post)

Sun Feb 26, 2017, 01:52 PM

Feb 2017

We need (D) asses on seats and, when we have an established majority, then we can look at how they vote.

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Is the (D) behind the name more important than the voting record? [View all] guillaumeb Feb 2017 OP

Actions speak louder than words. elleng Feb 2017 #1

Agreed ellen. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #3

They are indeed. elleng Feb 2017 #10

Just popping in to agree with this. Shandris Feb 2017 #18

A (D) behind the name means it counts when determining the Majority Party. That's important. SharonAnn Feb 2017 #126

Yes, that's important, to that extent. elleng Feb 2017 #137

That's What I Was Thinking, Too Leith Feb 2017 #187

If one wants to have a say in party politics and how it is run and control aspects of it.... boston bean Feb 2017 #2

If one judges solely by the voting record, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #5

Ditto! 50 Shades Of Blue Feb 2017 #8

That is not the sole measuremen is it?? boston bean Feb 2017 #11

Agreed. And I cannot answer for Sanders' decisions. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #14

Unless you self select out. boston bean Feb 2017 #30

A nice point. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #38

No that means he caucuses with the Democrats...you can't be a member unless you join. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #20

How is Pat Leahy a Democrat?? boston bean Feb 2017 #27

No. He refuses the label so no he is absolutely not. bravenak Feb 2017 #51

It's not a label. It's a membership. Damn he should just join... but he won't, why? boston bean Feb 2017 #94

I Have my own ideas about why and they are not nice things. bravenak Feb 2017 #95

Don't all prominent politicians love attention. sammythecat Feb 2017 #220

Voting record's count unless your name is Hillary BlueStateLib Feb 2017 #81

Manchin represents a 70% Trump state crazycatlady Feb 2017 #4

Susan Collins votes with the GOP about 80% of the time. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #7

And I'm sure the tea party talks about primarying her crazycatlady Feb 2017 #19

Agreed. But for some reason, some states respect non-lockstep politicians. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #29

Maine is pretty unique in that way crazycatlady Feb 2017 #42

She is a member of the GOP...so she is a GOP. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #23

One hopes that Trump might convince Collins to switch parties. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #33

Neither because your choices are utterly inaccurate mythology Feb 2017 #34

She is a Republican. She caucuses with the GOP. wildeyed Feb 2017 #68

And Sanders caucuses with the Democrats. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #96

But declares as an Independent. wildeyed Feb 2017 #154

Should the focus be on the label, or the position? eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #163

Depends. wildeyed Feb 2017 #174

I am talking about Sanders, but this is applicable to Kshama Sawant and others guillaumeb Feb 2017 #180

According to my new definition, wildeyed Feb 2017 #188

Your definition is a good one. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #189

insightful , thanks +++ JHan Feb 2017 #196

and numbers matter in determining who controls Congress still_one Feb 2017 #9

Right, I'll take the most liberal democrat that we can elect in each state. Salviati Feb 2017 #75

+1 treestar Feb 2017 #130

Except that the 25% might include a critical vote on ACA, for instance. alarimer Feb 2017 #146

Your example is fine for a state such as Vermont, or New York, or California, but still_one Feb 2017 #6

How then does a Democratic Senator like Manchin get elected in a red state? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #12

President Obama has never won West Virginia. SaschaHM Feb 2017 #13

My mistake. You are correct. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #16

It used to be blue...then more purple ...we are lucky to get Manchin...and he is endangered... Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #25

It was blue when Robert Byrd was a Senator. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #35

What I am talking about is why Dean's 50 state strategy was so successful still_one Feb 2017 #36

Tailoring the message to each particular state? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #41

exactly still_one Feb 2017 #52

We weren't purists. We had conservative democrats. boston bean Feb 2017 #53

Having a Democrat that's liked in a red state radical noodle Feb 2017 #78

When is comes to party matters, yes. Sanders, by his own choice, is an Independent. SaschaHM Feb 2017 #15

I agree. And given that he votes with the Democrats nearly all of the time, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #21

No...he should join the party if he wants to have a say in how it is run. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #32

Of course, they have to keep Bernie happy. SaschaHM Feb 2017 #40

Yep Go Vols Feb 2017 #175

No Bernie Sanders is an independent...and that sends a message. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #17

Does it send a message that Independents are natural Democrats? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #24

It is not that hard...some will never get elected in a red state Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #37

Agreed. The 50 state strategy in action. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #97

They campaign hard and get more votes. wildeyed Feb 2017 #71

If you want to lecture others on how to be a Democrat... theglammistress Feb 2017 #22

Some hear a lecture, others hear good advice. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #26

I hear a lecture and division in Bernie's words. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #39

What sort of message do you suppose Bernie sends by refusing to join? Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #46

his message is that he does not care what you think he should do. ciaobaby Feb 2017 #85

Is that a positive unifying message? Wil that help take down Trump? nt Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #89

This is an irrelevant comparison. mythology Feb 2017 #28

True. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #50

The "measure" is BEING a Democrat ... NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #84

His voting record is one of supporting Democratic Party positions 90+% of the time. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #99

What is a Democrat Nance? KPN Feb 2017 #139

Being an actual member ... NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #155

You are making stuff up now. I haven't seen anyone say Bernie KPN Feb 2017 #199

He himself says ... NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #200

I do. If he said otherwise I'd feel the way the way I did about KPN Feb 2017 #203

Yes, they align with the Party. NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #204

I guess I just don't see it as lecturing. KPN Feb 2017 #215

If the party is nothing more than a clique, like the one in Heathers, QC Feb 2017 #31

Agreed. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #43

It is an organization with members who decide to join and those who don't are not Democrats. Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #44

The Comparison To "Heathers"..... LovingA2andMI Feb 2017 #65

It's an organization BainsBane Feb 2017 #73

It's what it has become. Just team sports. alarimer Feb 2017 #147

The "D" is a rough, mostly reliabe, guide. Rule: Just about any Dem is better than any Repuke. UTUSN Feb 2017 #45

Absolutley... Demsrule86 Feb 2017 #48

No doubt. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #55

Yes it is Progressive dog Feb 2017 #47

But is the 98% voter more of a tem member than the 75% voter? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #56

It's not about how someone votes Progressive dog Feb 2017 #60

Leading to the next question: guillaumeb Feb 2017 #62

He is the one to answer that question. BainsBane Feb 2017 #72

It should be about how one votes. ciaobaby Feb 2017 #87

What is important is true representation of their constituents Cary Feb 2017 #49

True, and working with like minded political colleagues to get things done. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #58

An (R) behind the name is certainly a deal breaker. DuckBurp Feb 2017 #54

True, but that is because there are no sane GOP politicians in Congress. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #59

Manchin represents a particular constituency. lapucelle Feb 2017 #57

But his voting record makes it clear that he is a Democrat, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #61

His voting record (for the most part) aligns with Democrats, lapucelle Feb 2017 #64

I vote for people, not letters bekkilyn Feb 2017 #63

+1 ciaobaby Feb 2017 #86

Agreed. I have never found a GOP politician to support, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #100

I support Democrats. I vote to elect Democrats. I donate to Democrats. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #66

So the voting record counts for nothing? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #102

It doesn't give someone Carte Blanche to run roughshod and start calling the shots... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #109

I do not have this in mind at all. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #115

Huh? Co-chair? WTF?! There's NO SUCH THING as "co-chair" ... they are NOT equals. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #124

It means........ guillaumeb Feb 2017 #127

There's no such thing as the "Sanders Wing". They're either Democrats or not... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #133

Do you see the Democratic Party as a monolith? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #134

I believe that's called a strawman argument. I've never said or suggested such a thing ... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #138

Constructing your own straw man? guillaumeb Feb 2017 #159

He's the one saying it himself. Just listen to his own words. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #178

He is offering an opinion, and advice. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #183

Unsolicited advice. The worst and most unappreciated... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #195

Obviously unsolicited by you. But the DNC is listening. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #210

This isn't about me. And, the #2 slot is a consolation prize of little authority. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #216

Let us really simplify the issue here: The Democrats are losing the battle. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #219

Naturally you'd say that to avoid uncomfortable facts. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #222

Avoidance as in how you are avoiding how Democrats have steadily guillaumeb Feb 2017 #226

Keith was not your magic-bullet. He didn't have superhuman powers. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #231

An interesting response. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #233

See above. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #234

Sound xenophobic actually. KPN Feb 2017 #140

Really? How so? To what other parties should I consider giving control of the Democratic party? NurseJackie Feb 2017 #144

How so? KPN Feb 2017 #149

Oh brother! NurseJackie Feb 2017 #150

And you are just an innocent bystander with nothing but KPN Feb 2017 #153

I'll take you at your word that you are a "lifelong Democrat" ... and therefore NurseJackie Feb 2017 #156

Oh spare me the psychological analysis. KPN Feb 2017 #202

Well... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #206

You conveniently ignored my implied admission that "offended" was perhaps an inaccurate KPN Feb 2017 #221

Okay. See ya 'round. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #223

I don't understand your question. wildeyed Feb 2017 #67

Well said. BainsBane Feb 2017 #74

So True ! ciaobaby Feb 2017 #88

And if we need all coalition members, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #103

Sanders and his supporters need to learn to work within the party framework wildeyed Feb 2017 #158

This: guillaumeb Feb 2017 #164

No. It reflects the nature of the electorate in West Virginia. wildeyed Feb 2017 #176

I have driven through numerous times. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #182

The Democrat who motivates that block is not 'progressive'. wildeyed Feb 2017 #193

When we drove through, the views from the Byrd highway were spectacular. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #208

The problem is, they vote for the ruined land and rich owners. wildeyed Feb 2017 #224

On a personal note: guillaumeb Feb 2017 #228

Apparently it is for some. truebluegreen Feb 2017 #69

It depends what the context is BainsBane Feb 2017 #70

To your "key difference" point: guillaumeb Feb 2017 #104

He's representing his constituents BainsBane Feb 2017 #116

Agreed on the DNC example. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #117

debate about policy BainsBane Feb 2017 #152

But the corporate media much prefers a focus on personality. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #162

I agree completely. JNelson6563 Feb 2017 #76

Sanders is adamant JustAnotherGen Feb 2017 #77

To regain the majority, the "D is more important. Yes, someties I'd like to see the Dems vote in napi21 Feb 2017 #79

There's a good deal more to a pol than voting record. Consider also: TygrBright Feb 2017 #80

Agreed. Nice additions to the conversation. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #106

In general, I agree with this. BobTheSubgenius Feb 2017 #82

Agreed. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #108

Cognitive Dissonance: EffieBlack Feb 2017 #83

Two different issues. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #110

a vote trumps all madokie Feb 2017 #90

Nope, it doesn't. It's actually weaker than the symbolic act of not joining. Because it influences stevenleser Feb 2017 #92

Bull madokie Feb 2017 #93

And that response is indicative you have no counter, so its an acknowledgement that I'm right. nt stevenleser Feb 2017 #101

Man o man madokie Feb 2017 #118

So when manchin voted for 2 Trump cabinet nominees. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #112

Nope. Presidential nominees are usually approved. stevenleser Feb 2017 #122

And given that nearly all of the Democratic Senators voted one way, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #125

Not in my mind it doesn't madokie Feb 2017 #119

Agreed. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #111

Peace madokie Feb 2017 #120

Since you asked, both are important. stevenleser Feb 2017 #91

Exactly this. Good post. DanTex Feb 2017 #98

How is this "symbolic action" different from another Senator guillaumeb Feb 2017 #113

It means that? Really? KPN Feb 2017 #141

Churchill to FDR: "Fuck off! We don't need allies!" ret5hd Feb 2017 #105

Nice observation. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #114

NOPE Faux pas Feb 2017 #107

Committee memberships are detemined by the majority party. meadowlander Feb 2017 #121

The Democrats need voters to come out and vote. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #128

Thread after thread stating essentially that we should like Sanders. We don't. randome Feb 2017 #123

The pronouns "you" and "we" are not identical. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #129

Apples and Oranges... Blue Idaho Feb 2017 #131

But both Sanders and Manchin support Democratic positions. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #132

Absolutely! Blue Idaho Feb 2017 #151

A great post. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #161

Thanks! Blue Idaho Feb 2017 #171

No. But it sure seems like a lot of folks feel that way, no? KPN Feb 2017 #135

If you have read this post, or many similarly themed posts, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #136

Thanks. Missed that post. KPN Feb 2017 #142

A sleeping giant that could be the link between the Party, guillaumeb Feb 2017 #160

Just checking ... You do understand that they are not "co-chairs", right? You kinda ... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #148

The voting totals were quite close. Indicating that the Party is supportive of both. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #167

It wasn't that close. The same proportions in a national election would be ... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #181

You claim that it was not that close. Reality says otherwise. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #185

You're giving it more significance ... NurseJackie Feb 2017 #194

No, you are denying the significance. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #209

Now you're just being contrary for its own sake. NurseJackie Feb 2017 #213

Both matter IMHO Proud Liberal Dem Feb 2017 #143

No. alarimer Feb 2017 #145

The D behind the names shows investment in a political party one we have all signed up at DU La Lioness Priyanka Feb 2017 #157

If Sanders spent all of his time criticizing, I would agree. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #165

no one is arguing that Sanders is not liberal. what we are arguing is whether he furthers La Lioness Priyanka Feb 2017 #166

Agreed. I am not defending everything that Sanders says, or everything that any guillaumeb Feb 2017 #168

glad we are agreed La Lioness Priyanka Feb 2017 #169

And I also. I respect your positions, and your (generally) polite style. eom guillaumeb Feb 2017 #170

i dunno about the polite. i have been raging quite a bit since the election La Lioness Priyanka Feb 2017 #172

Raging is one thing. Being insulting to others is another. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #173

Call me when Vermont and W. Va. become ideologically equivalent. Until then, it doesn't.... Tarheel_Dem Feb 2017 #177

A coal state, but not simply a coal state. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #184

Oh yeah, the "maple sugar" lobby in DC is huge & they have buckets of money to throw at our.... Tarheel_Dem Feb 2017 #198

Maple sugar loses out to southern subsidized cane sugar. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #211

Well, alrighty then! Tarheel_Dem Feb 2017 #227

Apples and Oranges. NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #179

Your end point might be a valid one if Sanders were criticizing a winning strategy. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #186

And what "winning strategy" ... NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #190

A whole different argument that (probably) neither of us wishes to visit. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #191

I think it's a very relevant argument. NanceGreggs Feb 2017 #192

It might be relevant but to discuss it would then involve the various claims guillaumeb Feb 2017 #207

It didn't used to but it does now, with the parties so far apart. pnwmom Feb 2017 #197

No Alice11111 Feb 2017 #201

If Sanders had the W VA electorate he'd be voting more like Manchin or he'd be gone. delisen Feb 2017 #205

That is speculation. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #212

If we're going for a "Fifty State" strategy, we have to consider the (D) for some states. moriah Feb 2017 #214

Tom Cotton? My sympathies moriah. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #229

Thanks for your sympathies. moriah Feb 2017 #232

Only the votes matter. lagomorph777 Feb 2017 #217

Overall and almost always, yes. All D's are much better than all R's across the board. nt. NCTraveler Feb 2017 #218

Manchin and Sanders are two very different people Blue_Tires Feb 2017 #225

They are. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #230

Yes-control of committees and congress are very important matters Gothmog Feb 2017 #235

Support for the platform is also very important. guillaumeb Feb 2017 #236

You cannot investigate or control the agenda without a majority Gothmog Feb 2017 #237

Mitch McConnell said it well: guillaumeb Feb 2017 #238