I officially don't CARE about 60 seat majority in US Senate

[PretzelWarrior]

I know the Dems are going to piece together sizable majorities on a lot of popular programs and changes that will show goodwill to the American people. It will be a case where the senate will count the votes and make sure they have soft support where they need it from some GOP like Snowe and Cox in Maine.

Why do I say this? Because I would rather not poison the air with long protracted fight for a potentially MEANINGLESS 60th senate seat. AND because if a person goes into governance with that premise, it becomes way easier for Kennedy, Reid, Schumer and others to tell Lieberman to FUCK OFF.

There is PLENTY of muscle to get the things done that we need done.

[democrat2thecore]

1. no, no, no - a fillibuster-proof senate could make ALL the difference! -nt

[PretzelWarrior]

2. read my post. You could manufacture a filibuster proof majority with GOP

on various issues. Most issues do not arrive at the level of wrangling that a fillibuster is threatened. I don't think Obama plans any radical left justices for federal courts, so I think fillibusters supported by all of the Republicans is going to fly.

[democrat2thecore]

4. I'm thinking one vote: Employee Free Choice Act

The GOP has promised a fillibuster.

[PretzelWarrior]

10. in the grand scheme, there are many things OTHER than that

which would make us as Americans feel great and make this congress and administration a success.

Politics is about choosing your battles.

[democrat2thecore]

13. You also know who feeds you $$$$$ -it's a PRIORITY -nt

[PretzelWarrior]

14. this election proved it's not MAINLY about the unions anymore.

Dems have done a remarkable job of changing their image and constituency.

[democrat2thecore]

15. Look at the PAC money to federal, state, local elections

Coast to coast - border to border. Organized labor still holds the keys to the $$$$. Not so much at the presidential level, granted. But, this campaign's ground game in PA, MI, OH - on and on - was driven by labor. They provided troops in the thousands. Democrats on the Hill know this. Card check/EFCA is a priority. "Bank" on it.

[PretzelWarrior]

16. I'm sure Nancy and Harry will try. If it's filibustered...they did their part.

They can then report to the union guys that they need them to get back to work raising money so they can pass this in 2011 in the 112th Congress.

[No Elephants]

6. You would not be fillibuster proof with 75 Dems. It's like herding cats.

[thoughtcrime1984]

3. Yes, depending on LIEberman to be #60 is a bad place to be

Besides, not every Dem will automatically vote for cloture in lockstep. They MAY, but I wouldn't count on it. Repub support for cloture could happen on occasion as well, you are correct. It'd be great, but it is not the be all, end all.

[ps1074]

5. 60 was a steep climb from the beginning

But I will be very disappointed if Franken and Merkeley don't win. With them we'll have 58 votes (Joementum included). I am also very disappointed that Beglich in AK will lose. I have thought we will win 2 of these 3 with Al being the least likely winner. As it stands - he is the most likely winner of the 3...

[WilliamPitt]

7. You will

It's the goal for the '10 midterms.

[PretzelWarrior]

11. nice to hear from you. I agree it is a HUGE goal to push for

Perhaps it was in another thread, but I was thinking about how this Ted Stevens win could be rather harmless to Dem prospects of getting things done AND be a great whipping boy in getting larger majority with other senate seats. (I believe more Republicans are once more facing an election in 2010 than Dems).

All of this is possible if Obama and the House/Senate leadership calibrate expectations and do GREAT self promotion about the things they DO get done. Additionally, they've GOT to get some moderate Republicans involved in items that are popular across the board for some big wins.

HEALTH CARE. HILLARY ESTABLISHED AS HILL POINT PERSON. I LIKE IT.

[LittleApple81]

8. Mitch McConnell was just saying Democrats must give Lieberman a role and not try to punish him!

What are these conservative jerks talking about????? Why do they think they are anymore? We must do NOTHING that is not OUR idea!

[PretzelWarrior]

12. Reid can tell McConnell "You like him so much, YOU take him, GRANNY"

[lebkuchen]

9. "tell Lieberman to fuck off" is becoming "household"

:)