Reid has finally crossed the Rubicon on changing the filibuster

[grantcart]

Take back the House, keep the Senate by a vote and change the filibuster.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76189.html


An angry Harry Reid took to the floor Thursday and demanded changes to the Senate’s hallowed filibuster rules, siding with junior Democrats who have sought to substantially weaken the powerful delaying tactic.

It’s a risky move for the Senate majority leader, who could find himself in the minority in a matter of months and need the filibuster to block the GOP’s agenda. But Reid — who struck a “gentleman’s agreement” last year with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to preserve the filibuster from an effort by Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Jeff. Merkley (D-Ore.) to water it down — signaled he is now on board with their effort given the gridlock in the Senate


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0512/76189.html#ixzz1uaYe02Uh

[GoCubsGo]

1. Good!

I think this will more likely help him keep his majority, rather than losing it. People are fed up with the gridlock, and all these GOP filibusters are a big part of that.

[lamp_shade]

2. Fat chance of getting 67 votes. Oh well.

[Marsala]

3. But he only needs 51 votes

Although it would be a bit shaky, nothing is stopping the majority from voting to change the rules.

[markpkessinger]

5. He needs 60...

The only time he could have done it with a simple majority is at the opening of the 112th Congress in 2011. His next opportunity to do it for under 60 votes (assuming Democrats are still in the majority) will be in January 2013.

[grantcart]

10. correct

but with the House in the hands of the Republicans it won't be needed until then anyway.

[Tx4obama]

12. He needs only 51 because he is planning on doing it in January 2013

More info here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101727981

[markpkessinger]

14. Yes -- IF Democrats hold the majority in the Senate n/t

[tcaudilllg]

18. They will

Count on the tea party for that! ;D

[FogerRox]

23. That may come true, will Lugars seat in Indiana go DEM?

[Pab Sungenis]

4. Three years too late

but a good start. Now follow through with it.

[markpkessinger]

6. Congratulations, Senator Reid, on your mastery of the fucking obvious!

Too bad you couldn't have been a quicker study and have done this -- as many in your party urged you to -- at the opening of the 112th Congress in January 2011, when you would have needed only a simple majority. Proposing the change in midstream, it is treated like any other Senate vote, and will itself be subject to filibustering. Way to go, Harry -- NOT!

[gateley]

7. DO IT, Harry! nt

[Prophet 451]

8. Thank fuck for that

While I'm not in favour of getting rid of it entirely (especially given the maniacs now running the GOP), this unprecedented level of obstructionism has to end.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

9. If you don't stand up for something,

you'll fall for anything!

[steve2470]

11. Do it Harry !!!! nt

[DevonRex]

13. Why the fuck didn't he do this BEFORE????

Seriously, I cannot stand that man. If I lived in Nevada I'd vote for him. But JFC, sometimes I could just spit nails thinking about him.

[vaberella]

20. The article said it. He made a deal with McConnell. n/t

[rucky]

22. And what did we get out of that deal?

[FogerRox]

24. Exactly.

[vaberella]

26. Nothing. Reid basically fucked Obama over. But that wasn't the question I was answering.n/t

[StitchesforSnitches]

15. Anyone want to bet that if Harry pulls this off

even with a 51 vote threshold there will NEVER be enough votes to pass liberal and progressive legislation. Why you many ask, because there are enough people who sport a D after their name in Congress who will have no problem what so ever siding with the R's.

The rules are not the problem, Harry is the problem...always has been,

[Paulie]

16. Sorry Harry I'll believe it when I see it

And not before.

[brooklynite]

17. I spoke to him privately about this last year...

...and I've told every Senator I have a chance to meet that the time has come to stop cutting deals with the Republicans procedural matters.

[Odin2005]

19. Too late, you spineless fool.

[grantcart]

21. kick

[FogerRox]

25. If the Dems get the house back, this might actually mean something.