NYT: With Promises of a Better-Run Congress, Democrats Take on Political Risks

[DeepModem Mom]

With Promises of a Better-Run Congress, Democrats Take on Political Risks
By CARL HULSE
Published: December 27, 2006

....After chafing for years under what they saw as flagrant Republican abuse of Congressional power and procedures, the incoming majority has promised to restore House and Senate practices to those more closely resembling the textbook version of how a bill becomes law: daylight debate, serious amendments and minority party participation....

***

Yet pledges to engage Republicans legislatively carry risks. If Democrats do not follow through or revert to practices they have spent recent years condemning, they are certain to come under attack from watchdog groups and Republicans. Republicans are already accusing Democrats of backsliding by not guaranteeing them hearings and amendments on legislation to be considered in an initial 100-hour legislative program that Democrats view as a showcase for their new majority.

But Republicans are hoping Democrats stick to their guns and allow the minority a stronger voice on legislation. The opposition leadership said it would take the opportunity to put forward initiatives that could be potentially troublesome for newly elected Democrats in Republican-leaning districts who within months will have to defend their hard-won seats....

Republicans see the ability to force tough votes — which they avoided in the majority by stifling Democratic alternatives — as having two potential benefits: It can put vulnerable Democrats on record with positions that might not be popular at home, or it can fracture the untested Democratic majority. Mr. Blunt noted that even senior Democrats who served in Congress when Democrats held control had no experience dealing with a relatively thin, 16-seat majority that will not allow many lawmakers to avoid tough votes....

But (incoming Senate Majority Leader Steny) Hoyer and other Democrats also said that they were not naïve. If Republicans take the Democratic offer and try to advance politically charged amendments, Democrats will tighten the reins.

“We may well reject amendments which are designed solely for the purposes of creating a 30-second ad,” Mr. Hoyer said. “We are not going to be foolish or stupid.”...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/27/us/politics/27civil.html

[Bluestar]

1. Oh baloney, this is more MSM propaganda

The Democrats could do NOTHING and beat the Republican record by a mile. This is unbelievable posturing by the media to make up a problem for the Dems that doesn't exist. Why don't these hotshot reporters spend their time investigating Republican corruption instead of this wild conjecture.

[Trajan]

2. Who the fuck CARES what Carl Hulse says ?

He didnt speak up during the criminal enterprise known as the GOP congress ... NOW he is all over it ? ...

FUCK you Carl ...