I have an idea regarding legislative strategy; needs your analysis.

[WilliamPitt]

Thanks in advance for taking the time.

I want to deal with the merits of the idea itself for now, if we can. Let's save for another day the discussion on whether or not they'll be selling snowballs in Hades before the Democrats find the will to do what I'm suggesting (if my suggestion is in fact viable).

The GOP minority has spent the last year painting a masterpiece of full-spectrum obstructionism in Congress. They have filibustered just about anything that moves. They have more than tripled the number of filibusters deployed by the Democrats back when they were the minority party, and are on their way towards setting the all-world-never-to-be-surpassed record for 'Number Of Times A Legislative Maneuver Is Used.'

You gotta wonder if the Democrats are kicking themselves for failing to use these parliamentary tools during SCOTUS votes, the IWR, and the rest of the anti-Constitutional dreck that now pollutes our system of law...but that's a different conversation, too.

The fact of the matter is that we have to deal with the matters at hand: nothing of any real importance can get passed without 60 Senate votes and a big-ass majority in the House. Iraq legislation, the SCHIP bill, the FISA bill and so many others are held hostage by this...and that is intolerable.

So.

Draft an Iraq Withdrawal bill that has real teeth. Attach two amendments:

I. A FISA bill that requires oversight, does not let complicit TelComs off the hook, requires the hand-over of every single scrap of information collected from 2001-2007 by surveillance that was not sanctioned by a warrant, and has watertight warrant/oversight requirements for any and all surveilance of American citizens;

II. The SCHIP bill Mark II.

Call it the 2007 Omnibus I Fucking Dare You Assholes To Filibuster This Bill Bill...or call it the 2007 Omnibus Watch George Veto This And Annihilate The GOP Bill...or call it the 2007 Omnibus Here Comes The Most Significant Veto Override Vote In A Generation Bill. Go wild.

Three incredibly popular pieces of legislation that will actually make a difference if passed, that will save lives and freedoms, and that will reflect the will of ther people in a way not seen around here for a long, long while. If it works, do it again with a Bring-Back-Habeas-Corpus bill carrying two more widely-popular amendments.

Even if they can't override the veto, the will have forced GOP congressfolk to filibuster/vote against soldiers and privacy and children, and will have forced Bush to do the same. It will be a massacre, and will help increase the Democratic majority in '08...at which point, we can pass this stuff for real. If they can override the veto, however, well...let the million flowers bloom, right?

Thoughts? What am I missing here?

[cali]

1. Well, I don't think most Americans know a thing about FISA

and I'm not sure they give two raps about it either. Plus, any such legislation as an Iraq War Withdrawal bill would get filibustered in the Senate, and would probably pass with only a small majority in the House.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. What does SCHIP have to do with Iraq?

I hate those damn amendments.

[BuyingThyme]

3. I have more problems with the bills that do pass than with those that don't, but

I. On FISA, I think they're going to do the bait and switch again. Bait with the House version and switch to the Senate version when we're not looking (immunity for all). Attaching it to a monster might make it even easier for them to sneak it past us.

II. I know SHIT about SCHIP, but it seems like a great political football for Dems. Fail an override tomorrow and give it another go next week. Maybe they could even come up with a short-term emergency version to temporarily fund at pre-existing levels. Emergencies are fun.

[Perseid]

4. Democrats with ethical testicles

that is what is missing. We are all missing it.

[NoGodsNoMasters]

6. I concur.

Although i wouldn't put it that way. the fact is if the democratic leadership in congress had any courage we wouldn't be where we are, and thats' what this idea, regardless of it's merit, would require. In some ways, as much as I deplore the gop's handling of SCHIP, it could be honed into a fine propaganda weapon for the campaign. If I were a media flak for the dems, i'd run some really terrific looking attack ads on this. That and Katrina.

[Richard Steele]

5. I think it's a fine idea. Submit and re-submit bills that the VAST MAJORITY of voters support.

Sure, the average US citizen doesn't follow these things like DUers do.

But if the TeeVee news mentions the Repubs blocked kids health insurance,
and mentions it EVERY OTHER WEEK for a year, it will begin to sink in.

Repetition, repetition, repetition. The Repubs' propaganda machine
learned how valuable it is a LONG time ago, and has gotten more use out
of it than logic and facts put together.

[bluestateboomer]

7. I'm pessimistic about gettting any action on your ideas, but....

I'm for anything that will bring our issues to the public and possibly help our democratic legislators grow a spine.

[Swamp Rat]

8. Good idea, but take it one step further:

When the refucklicans try to filibuster, use the handy, new "Nuclear Option."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_option

Repeat as necessary.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. not if, as necessary

these guys need to have their dreck shoved in their faces

[Swamp Rat]

10. I fixed it.

;)

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. :-)

[Indi Guy]

11. While I see the value of your strategy

on a practical level, it will stumble out of the gate. Omnibus legislation is summarily rejected by too many on both the left & right.

Where I think the Democratic leadership is dropping the ball (but it's getting better) is that it doesn't capitalize on the '06 victory, put a human face on the issues, and appeal directly to the electorate to contact their local, state & federal reps & give these "authorities" a piece of their minds.

Reagan was a master at this tactic. It's ball-check time for the victorious Democrats.

[pinto]

19. A great point, I'd like to expand, if I may.

'06 was the *start* not the end of the process. Partisans across the Democratic spectrum may have different takes on the meaning and intent of our narrow victory in those Congressional races, yet one thing seems increasingly clear. We are poised to build on those gains.

And to meet more of our goals, we need to build our majority. That's a simple political fact.

"Putting a human face" on the agenda is not only right, and accurate, but it is our best selling point electorally.

We hold the upper hand in '08. That has been reiterated by politicos, talking head cable news folks and the general public polling alike.

Thanks for your post.

:kick:

[Indi Guy]

34. You're welcome

The Democratic leadership needs to get over its own years of frustration, and assume the mantle of responsibility to the frustrated voters who gave Cheney/Bush a "thumping" in '06.

American voters are responsible for the change. American voters must persistently insist that our elected officials keep the thumping going on in Washington.

[classof56]

31. Good comments, Indi Guy. And welcome to DU! nt

[Indi Guy]

35. Thank you, and let's keep the pressure on our elected reps

It's easy to fall asleep after running a race.

[tkmorris]

12. Time-honored standard legislative ploy

I call it "make the other side be the bad guys". Put up bills that are popular, especially ones that do what your opposition only claims to want (support the troops, save the kids, yadda yadda), then make them show their faces voting against you.

What you need to expect though, is that the Black Hats will try to poison the bill before it comes to a vote. They sure as hell will never vote for cloture on such a thing, but perhaps that in itself exposes them sufficiently.

It's worth a try at least.

[Lucinda]

13. I'm not sure you could get them

to combine FISA and SCHIP with an Iraq withdrawal, but I agree with the underlying strategy. It's what they SHOULD be doing.

I've been saying for quite a while now that they need to put real pressure on the Reps.

I've been told they won't do it because they don't want to look like the "losers" when things are shot down because of the majority needed. Which is lame, but probably accurate. They need to learn to put the blame where it belongs. There really seems to be a lack of necessary skills in the party when it comes to putting out fires and defending themselves.

Someone needs to step up. It's smart politically. They just need to find some cojones.

[leftofthedial]

15. I see two things you might be missing

1. Many of the "democrats" currently in Congress are NOT kicking themselves. Things have gone just as they truly, sincerely wished.

2. "The will of the people" is utterly, completely irrelevant.


I totally agree that they should aggressively move popular legislative action forward and force the thugs to veto and obstruct. Then they should use every last drop of political capital to draw attention to that fact.



Sadly, none of that is the agenda of the current "democrats." They are all either running for office in 2008 or jockeying for position with whomever they believe will win in 2008.

[SergeyDovlatov]

16. why not simply not fund emergency supplementals?

You need a simple majority to prevent funding or 41 in senate to filibuster it.
Less votes required, less hassle

[sandnsea]

17. Add stem cell research

And call it the Republicans Spit In Your Face Bill.

If carefully written, I think it's a great way to be clear to the public about key Democratic Party Values.

[TreasonousBastard]

18. I'm not sure who cares...

really, I'm not. Political junkies here and on the right will notice, but will anyone else?

SCHIP affects relatively few people, and most of them aren't media savvy. Iraq withdrawal will get noticed, but there are so many opinions on how to get out that who knows what will be the bill, and who knows how it will be spun on both sides.

Reduce the employers SS contribution and raise the threshhold wage to at least $200,000, get rid of the AMT and reduce taxes on everyone under the median income by 50%-- that'll get everyone's attention. Then tie it to higher taxes on the wealthy, higher estate taxes, full SCHIP funding, Iraq withdrawal, and some other goodies. Dare them to oppose THIS bill.

Thing is, though, everyone in Congress now knows what happened to Gingrich when he tried to impose his half-assed Contract on America and close down the government in a bold, but calamatous, move. Most of them were there then, and don't want a repeat. Some love to call it cowardice, but slow and steady seems more like it.

The real problem is that the Republicans are disciplined, and don't really give a shit what's best for us, but do what they're told. Some even believe that bullshit they spout, but there are a lot like DeLay who don't really believe in anything and don't care how low they have to sink to maintain power. Even the few halfway decent ones, the old Rockefeller Republicans and genuine conservatives who will talk to you, are under the thumb of the White House and can't complain much.

And then there's that lobbying machine DeLay set up that's still around.

It's still neo-con heaven in DC.

[razors edge]

20. The Repugs would distort it all

to confuse the proles and call it a political trick.

Most Americans can't remember what they drove to WalMart for, let alone three provisions of legislation and who did what with them.

[retread]

21. The SCHIP fight should not be "diluted" in any way. Just keep putting those

children helped by SCHIP in front of the country.

[cornermouse]

22. What are you missing?

Senators and representatives that will actually do it. If they haven't already, they working on backing down on something as small as the Armenian thing. Its hopeless.

[Pale Blue Dot]

23. All I want is for the Democrats to get the Republicans ON RECORD.

Sounds like your bill would do that.

[LiberalEsto]

24. What's missing is...

Democratic leadership with courage.

Your idea is perfect in terms of strategy -- it puts the GOP in an extremely tight spot for 2008.

However, I see very few Democrats serving in the House and Senate with sufficient backbone to act on this and follow through.

As I disgustedly told a DCCC fundraiser who called me yesterday, I'm not giving a penny to congressional Democrats unless they show some courage and stand up to the Misadministration. If the only thing they pay attention to is money, maybe a lack of contributions will get them to finally listen to us.
Funny thing, the caller completely agreed with me.

[enough already]

25. No way

If those amendments are as "sure-fire" as you think, they would stand on their own merits. As it is, our courageous elected Democrats are already on-record as having no stomach whatsoever for withdrawal from Iraq. This strategy would doom 3 pieces of legislation instead of just one.

[freebrew]

26. Missing?

A news media that won't turn the attack agaisnt the Dems.
So far, there's Olberman....who else in the media will stand up for the people and the Dems?

First priority should be getting rid of the leeches that pollute OUR airwaves with lies and mis-information(more lies).

We need a way to wake up the public. Many have no idea what is happeniing to our nation.

"If you're a Publican you're either crooked or you're not paying attention." - anon.

[porphyrian]

27. Why not? - n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

28. I don't think you're missing a thing with this...

... My husband and I have been having this conversation since the Democrats gained a majority.

For those posting here who think most Americans don't know about FISA, I say... what a good way for them TO KNOW MORE about FISA and every single issue could be filibustered.

Like the mental defective thief in the WH says, "bring it on"

Surely, our congressional members know this. It's their damn leadership that doesn't want to lead.

Here are the numbers to our "leaders" again, folks-

(House)
Pelosi- 202-225-4965

Hoyer- 202-225-4131

(Senate)
Reid- 202-224-3121 or 3542

Good on ya, Will- :kick: and recommending

[Imperialism Inc.]

29. What do you think about making the GOP actually filibuster.

I don't mean as an alternative to what you proposed but as a component of it. When the filibuster is used judiciously by the minority I don't have a real problem with not actually forcing them to talk for hours. It holds up other business. But, the GOP isn't using it judiciously and nothing is getting passed anyway so there isn't anything to hold up. If every week or two people see yet another story about the GOP refusing to let bills be voted on by talking for a day straight more people will understand that they are being obstructionists. In addition covering something sensational like Senators talking for a day straight are the kinds of things that the news media loves to cover. It would give more exposure to exactly which bills the GOP is blocking and Dems more air time to explain exactly how much they have been doing so.

[MilesColtrane]

33. Republicans don't need to filibuster any bill they don't like.

If the Democrats can muster the votes to get a law the Republicans don't like to Bush for signing, he will simply veto it.

That's were it dies because there aren't enough votes to override a veto.

Then we all start bitching about those spineless, do-nothing Democrats in Congress.

[bpeale]

30. first...

you have to get some democratic congress critters & senators to actually grow a pair. they act like they are still in the minority. i say in the next election, vote some other dems in and the current crop out. we need dems in there who are beholden to no one.

[MilesColtrane]

32. There are not enough votes in the House to override Bush's SCHIP veto.

Republican Representatives are telling their drooling base constituents that the bill is a giveaway to illegal immigrants.

All of the previous attempts at Iraq withdrawal bills have either never made it to Bush, or have been vetoed only to fail on an override vote.

I don't see how combining two, or three bills that can't make it on their own will suddenly allow them to all pass.

[upi402]

36. Call it the 2007 Omnibus I Fucking Dare You Assholes To Filibuster This Bill Bill

That my think.


kick

[LeftCoast]

37. Just my opinion here...

but, I will say that I don't see the point of rolling them all together like this. For one thing, the issues are relatively unrelated. Also, by rolling them out separately you get three different media hits against the republicans rather than one.

What I don't understand is why the Democrats are allowing the republicans to filibuster without calling it a filibuster and without crying obstructionism which is what the republicans did (rather successfully, I might add) when they were in power. It seems like strategic disarmament to me and I truly do not understand what the Senate leadership's logic/gameplan is on this.

[ellisonz]

38. Legislating is like boxing. Don't throw a left and a right at the same time.