Perhaps this is why Congress' approval at record low. Senate tied in knots by R's filibusters.

[flpoljunkie]

Senate tied in knots by filibusters
By Margaret Talev

Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007

WASHINGTON — This year Senate Republicans are threatening filibusters to block more legislation than ever before, a pattern that's rooted in — and could increase — the pettiness and dysfunction in Congress.

The trend has been evolving for 30 years. The reasons behind it are too complex to pin on one party. But it has been especially pronounced since the Democrats' razor-thin win in last year's election, giving them effectively a 51-49 Senate majority, and the Republicans' exile to the minority.

Seven months into the current two-year term, the Senate has held 42 "cloture" votes aimed at shutting off extended debate — filibusters, or sometimes only the threat of one — and moving to up-or-down votes on contested legislation. Under Senate rules that protect a minority's right to debate, these votes require a 60-vote supermajority in the 100-member Senate.

Democrats have trouble mustering 60 votes; they've fallen short 22 times so far this year. That's largely why they haven't been able to deliver on their campaign promises.

By sinking a cloture vote this week, Republicans successfully blocked a Democratic bid to withdraw combat troops from Iraq by April, even though a 52-49 Senate majority voted to end debate.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/18218.html

[lonestarnot]

1. I would say SO YES!

[earthside]

2. The 'Nuclear Option'

The Democrats in the U.S. Senate should change the rules ... just as the radical Republicans threatened to do over the judicial confirmation votes.

Aren't we all sick and tired of the Democrats in the Senate being Mr. Nice Guy -- and then played for a sucker by the Repugs?

Aren't we ready for some dramatic fights?

Let's also hope that enough frustration has set in that NO Iraq-occupation funding bill ever even gets to the Senate (or House) floor.

Or if we don't see a meaningful and substantive battle over Iraq -- maybe that Congressional approval rating can get down to five percent.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Every single one of us rallied against that when Repugs did it.

That would be the very definition of hypocrisy.

[earthside]

10. Dems were wrong then ...

... and it simply compounds the mistake not to change course.

If we are relegated to a U.S. Senate that must have a 60-vote super majority to pass anything, then democracy is dead in that body.

The Democrats should have filibustered Roberts and Alito and dealt with the consequences of the 'nuclear option' ... but they didn't fight then and it looks like they will roll-over again now.

They should change the rule ... a filibuster should mean a filibuster -- like did in the 'Mr Smith Goes to Washington' movie.

And, they should only send an Iraq funding bill to Bush with enough money in it to bring the troops home.

[keith the dem]

4. Again the Repugs are winning the media war!

People are very angry at Congress for not doing anything, the Democrats are the majority, so the Democrats will take the blame....at least to the average person who does not delve into politics other than headlines.

It is also divide and conquer, our board and almost every other liberal website, complains about Congressional inaction. If something dramatic is not done to counter this impression, I predict there will be a third party candidate who, like Nadar, will siphon votes away next year, leading to another Repug resident.

I am very suspect of Ron Paul, It's a perfect setup. He will run as an offshoot of the repugs, and therefore be heavily financed by the right, but will draw more votes from the left. He will be attractive to many who will not look beyond his effective anti-war message.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. We can't blame the media for our own ignorance.

I've been shouted down on countless occasions here at DU for plainly telling people that we simply don't have the votes to get anything done. The information is there - the zealots merely do not want to listen.

[Larkspur]

6. Where's the Dems' counter Media strategy?

The Repukes have shown they have a plan -- obstruct as much as possible the Democratic agenda to paint Dem controlled Congress as a do-nothing congress. Why aren't our Dem leaders reframing the debate and putting the Repukes on the defensive? That tactic does not require Repuke votes.

[underpants]

8. keith is right they have been full bore on equating the Dems with Bush since the day after

the election. They, meaning their noise machine and in turn MSM, have been complaining about the Dems NOT doing anything literally since the day after the election. Of course their complete lack of intellectual honesty also allows them of decrying that the Dems are unorganized (which they are) that they aren't "on message"-that sells big with the MSM too.

So they blame the Dems for not being organized AND for being ineffective.

Nice little racket they have going there.

Personally I can't remember the Congress's popularity being reported on much at all let alone in a headline on par with the POTUS. Clearly the implication is that it is all the Dems fault too.

[pscot]

7. I think there's an easy answer. Kill 'em with kindness.

A vote against cloture is a vote for unlimited debate. If that's what the Repukes want, give it to them. Schedule these votes for Thursdays. When cloture fails, don't withdraw the measure. Keep the Senate open thru the weekend and debate until the Repukes get tired of their little game. The work of the Senate won't get done, but it will be transparently clear who is bogging things down. As things are now, the get a free pass on their obstructionism. Raise the stakes. Make them pay.

[flpoljunkie]

9. I think you are on to something, pscot!