General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHard ball politics on the filibuster.
As most know, the filibuster reform by Harry Reid and the Democrats only applied to lower judgeships and executive appointments. And it did not include Supreme Court appointments or legislation.
The Republicans have vowed to fix that when they win back the Senate and the White House. So, why wait?
Make them take a stand now.
It is doubtful that Democrats would even vote to take the filibuster all the way. But the Republicans do not know that.
The Democrats should mess with their minds. Threaten to bring up for a vote to do away with the filibuster on Supreme Court nominees and also controversial legislation. How would the Republicans react??
Since we are almost certain they would pass it if they become the majority, what would be their position while they are still the minority? Would they vehemently oppose it? My bet is that they would stroke out.
But it is not going to pass with Democrats.
However, sometimes politics is like poker. Your opponent does not know what cards you are holding and sometimes you can buy a pot.
The point of the exercise would be to get Republicans on the record. A video record of their opposition whenever they decide to change the entire filibuster rule.
Another point of the exercise would be to put the Republicans on the defensive. Let them know that two can play this game.
rock
(13,218 posts)Bringing it up to 11. As I understand it the number of judges on SCOTUS doesn't have hard rules about how many there are.