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26 Dec 2010 11:55

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Politics: Democrats could kill (or fix) the filibuster with simple majority

  • obvious Democrats, having had a solid two years of hell as a result of the filibuster giving the minority party insane leverage over every major decision, have had enough, and want rules to change so that things can actually get done.
  • ironic On the first day of a Senate session, a simple majority is needed to change rules – such as the filibuster. Which means they could kill (or significantly change) the filibuster without fear of it getting filibustered. source
  • » Two proposals: Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) are the guys fighting for the changes hardest. Udall and Merkley, both first-termers, have different ideas about how to handle the change. Udall wants rotating changes based on weaknesses that show up in the system after each session. Merkley wants to bring the rules in line with what the country expects of a filibuster – only allowing them on complete bills and out in the open. (Thanks Samuel Rubenfeld)
Posted by Ernie Smith • 1 Comment • Permalink

21 Dec 2010 20:40

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Politics: No, we’ll be fine! Seriously: Democrats fight against Census claims

  • Democratic communities and constituencies have grown in size in states like Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Washington. In states that will lose a seat, the number of Republicans who will be competing with each other creates opportunities for House Democrats.
  • Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel • Fighting against claims that today’s census numbers are very bad for Democrats. But let’s face it – they’re going to be very challenging for Obama, and Democrats overall, to fight. The only real Democratic stronghold that gained any seats was Washington, and Obama banked his victory on many of the states that lost electoral college votes. The amount we’re talking about wouldn’t have been enough to hurt Obama’s in 2008, but if the 2012 race is closer, it could hurt. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Dec 2010 21:35

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Politics: Democrats and Republicans strike deal to expedite judicial nominees

  • 19 judicial nominations will be finally confirmed by the Senate GOP after months of hold up, as part of a deal between party leaders
  • four judges’ names will be withdrawn from nomination (including the controversial Goodwin Liu), as a means of placating Republicans source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Dec 2010 21:15

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Politics: Obama tax compromise: Democrats resigned to its eventual passing

  • We’re not going to hold this thing up at the end of the day.
  • Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen • Admitting what’s been obvious from the outset – the Obama tax compromise will eventually pass. The GOP knows this. Obama knows this, and House Democrats, who perhaps have been most dead-set against it (barring Bernie Sanders) are starting to turn around and begrudgingly accept it. By offering up the compromise he did when he did, Obama knew what he was doing. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

09 Dec 2010 21:15

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Politics: Forced to make decisions, Congress instead sits on its hands

  • » So, look here: The Democrats don’t want to give an inch. The GOP doesn’t want to give a centimeter. The president just gave a couple of inches, and the Democrats didn’t like it. So now, we have two bills which could’ve passed today die on the vine in the Senate. Because both sides don’t want to find any common ground. Is it really that hard to compromise? Yes, yes it is.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 Dec 2010 21:56

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Politics: Obama’s tax-cut compromise has Democrats in Congress very sad

  • causeObama was handed an obvious, but still painful defeat after the GOP declined his plan to extend the Bush tax cuts to only the middle class.
  • reaction Now Obama’s hoping for a compromise by midweek to ensure that the rest of his agenda for this year gets through the ever-shrinking pipeline quickly.
  • responseDemocrats in Congress look like they’re about to slit their wrists, which suggests that the compromise might not go through, either. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

04 Dec 2010 12:31

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Politics: Democrats fail to win hard-fought battle over Bush tax cuts

  • obvious Two procedural Democratic votes to extend the Bush tax cuts to only the non-super-wealthy failed to reach 60 votes in the Senate, to the shock of nobody.
  • sad The Democrats failed to even get everyone in their own party to go for them, only scoring 53 votes for the measure. Next up? Obama gives in to the GOP. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

16 Nov 2010 22:30

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Politics: Obama: Sorry I’ve dropped the ball on bipartisanship

  • I neglected some things that matter to a lot of people, and rightly so: maintaining a bipartisan tone in Washington. I think, moving forward, I’m going to redouble my efforts to go back to some of those first principles. And the fact that we are out of crisis – although still, obviously, in a difficult time – I think will give me the capacity to do that.
  • Barack Obama • Explaining the other day how he managed to lose his grip on bipartisanship during his first two years in office, and his desire to regroup and find it again. It’s OK man, and kind of understandable. The other side wasn’t looking for bipartisanship, either. Though we do admit that we kinda hoped that you would’ve kept more of a level head going into office. Get your fresh start dude. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Nov 2010 11:25

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Politics: Heath Shuler: I have no real shot against Nancy Pelosi

  • If she doesn’t step aside, I will challenge her … [but] I can add and subtract pretty well.
  • Rep. Heath Shuler • Admitting that while he plans to take on Nancy Pelosi for the House Minority Leader position, he realizes she’s pretty powerful and it will be hard for him to win. Which is too bad for him, because he feels he “entire House was pushed farther and farther away from moderate viewpoints” and that the Democrats are “too far left” on key bills. Maybe he can fight James Clyburn for that Assistant to the Regional Manager job. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

13 Nov 2010 19:26

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Politics: Democrats could invent leadership post for James Clyburn

  • Because, hey, that’s one way to solve the problem. Out of all of the people in the Nancy Pelosi-still-wants-to-lead drama circling Democrats in the House, nobody’s getting screwed more than James Clyburn. Not that he’s showing it. In a letter today, Clyburn announced that he’ll pushing for House Democrats to create an “assistant leader” position. Why the downgrade/job change? “To me,” he said “the best way to resolve this issue, maintain diversity in the leadership and cohesion in our caucus is to pull up another chair to the leadership table with a substantive, well-defined portfolio that will contribute in a meaningful way to our important work and to regaining the majority.” Is that something like “Assistant to the Regional Manager”? Just saying. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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