Even if we win both Houses by huge margins, it will be gridlock

[Perky]

Senators Clinton, Dodd, Feingold, Kerry, Obama, Bayh, Biden, McCain and Allen, are all almost certainly running for President. And maybe even Feinstein and Graham. That is 11 Senators tripping over eachother all wanting to please swing voters and the party base without pissing anyone off.

The political reality is that nothing substantive will be accomplished in the next two years except holding Bush accountable.


That is not insignificant by any stretch. But noit much is going to be accomoished in the next Congress.

[NoPasaran]

1. Considering how everything has been getting worse for the last 6 years

Simply stopping that trend will be a huge improvement.

[Virginia Dare]

2. I can live with that...

holding Bush accountable is a giant leap from where we are now.

By the way, IF Felix Allen gets reelected, he's done for the Presidential race, he's got a severe case of foot in mouth disease, plus he's a racist scumbag who's outed himself.

[sharp_stick]

3. Nothing is still a lot better than the pile

of shit that we'd have if the house and senate were still held by republicans. Doing nothing is one heck of an improvement to destroying what few rights we have left.

Besides if they can hold bush and the rest of his junta accountable for the lies and death it will be a great two years.

[Rosemary2205]

4. Gridlock would be an improvement

Just stopping Bush from attacking anyone else and making at least some attempt to protect innocent Americans from the death camps would be an improvement over the rubber stamp, sell America up the river congress we have now.

And IMHO Bush will never be held accountable.

[SmokingJacket]

5. Gridlock beats what's happening now:

total aiding and abetting of Bush.

[kstewart33]

6. It's better that nothing be accomplished than for

the worst to be maintained and expanded.

If the Dems win the House, they can shut down the Bush presidency. And maybe, just maybe, they can start addressing the problems that really matter. They will control what legislation goes to the House floor and thus control the House agenda and debate.

If the Repubs want to kill bills that middle America wants, let them. And let's see what then happens in 2008.

[Ravy]

7. I disagree.

The Dems will be able to put highly popular measures up for a vote, such as minimum wage and health care reform-- and roll back some of the more egregious provisions of the patriot act, medicare bill, etc.

*If* there is a big tidalwave of Democrats elected, the Republican representatives will be able to see the writing on the wall and be anxious to paint themselves as more moderate and bipartisan going into 2008.

My thoughts.

[Nite Owl]

13. Even if we do get a

landslide win I'm not so sure the republicans left in congress will vote with the dems if it meant overriding the many vetos for anything that was passed. But the public will see what is possible without a repuke President in office at the least.

[Ravy]

17. Bush's vetos are a possibility, however with the investigations

going on and the threat of even lower approval numbers, I think he will be hesitant to use it.

If he does, prospects look even better for '08.

Again, this is what I keep telling myself so I can sleep at night. I don't know if it will happen or not. Hopefully it is not just wishful thinking.

[Perky]

25. I think you may well be right

Bush has got to realize that he is lameduck. He has to thinking about salvaging something positive as a legacy. Otherwise no one will ever show up at his Presidential Library with its three comic books and box of Crayolas.

[Nederland]

32. What about the filibuster?

The Republicans will still have that...

[Ravy]

35. Yes, no doubt the Republicans *can* stop a Democratic legislative

agenda. But they do so at their peril on popular issues that the Republicans have prevented from being voted on for their tenure.

[FormerDittoHead]

8. Gridlock would be a very good alternative to what we have now! n/t

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Correct! First Stop The Bleeding!

Just plugging up the wounds is the most important step.
The Professor

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. I'll take "holding Bush accountable" any day of the week!

That, in itself, is accomplishing alot. Not to mention that it's going to be at least two years' worth of stuff with all of the crap he's put this country through!

[SoFlaJet]

10. If a democratic congress could do only ONE THING

I would want it to be election reform so that what happened to thousands of us in the last 3 elections NEVER happens again...with that, I'd be happy

[MessiahRp]

I don't think so...

If we win back both houses by huge margins the sentiment in Washington will be that the public/electorate including undecided and swing voters has moved decidedly LEFT. Dems will be able to get through most things even if Bush decides to get rapid fire use of his Veto pen and then the onus is on them as to why nothing gets done.

Rp

[WI_DEM]

11. Good, better gridlock than Bush getting a free ride from congress

[acmavm]

12. Oh yes, I love the 'even if we win we lose' threads.

They're so helpful.

[INdemo]

14. I believe these Senators can walk and chew gum at the same time

So I disagree..This sounds like something a Repuke would use in a campaign ad........

[Perky]

16. Don't over-read my OP please.

No I am firmly hoping that we do infact take back both Houses. I think It would be great. I am just looking furher down the road to governance and basically you have about a year before half the Senate starts making trips to Iowa.

I'd like to see multiple roll baclks of Bush domestic/tax policies and I would like to see Dems taking the leaqd on Sociial Security Reform because Bush's Fiasco last year gives them all the cover they need to make the hard choices.

[MethuenProgressive]

15. "nothing substantive will be accomplished"??????

Return oversight and accountability, end pay-to-play, restore sanity to the "war on terror", roll back the tax cuts for billionaires, and break Bush's strangle hold on the national debate - that will be "substantive", and all sped along by the leaders you have mentioned as they strive to prove the Democratic Party has the right ideas.

[LSK]

18. hearings hearings hearings

The next 2 years is all about exposing these Rethugs and the fraud they have committed in the past 6 years.

[WinkyDink]

19. Let me think....Gridlock? Evil? Gridlock? Evil? Which would I choose?

[crispini]

20. Yay, gridlock!

I'm down with that! Gridlock would be an IMPROVEMENT!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

21. And yet that would be better than now

Sad day it is when I'm thrilled by the thought of gridlock, but I am. I know I won't be satisfied for long, but for right now I'd willingly take it and be grateful.

Just imagine how enraged little lord pissy-pants will be the fist time he's told no. That should put a smile on your face.

[onenote]

23. minimum wage; prescription drug reform; lobbying reform; stem cell

All doable if the Democrats control both houses -- if gridlock was to occur, it would be because chimpy vetoes the bills and the vetos are sustained.

[Jackpine Radical]

24. I just can't see Feingold pandering to the center.

He never has. His whole career is based on being himself, and being true to himself. Sometimes liberals don't like his positions. Most of the time conservatives don't. Doesn't matter much to Russ. He's out there with his machete, cutting his own trail. Funny how his integrity radiates with an intensity that shines through some of the thickest skulls. It wasn't uncommon to see Feingold and Bush yard signs in the same yard. People would say, "I don't like how Russ votes a lot of the time, but I know nobody's bought him."

[leeroysphitz]

26. After all that has been "done" by lwmakers in the last 6 years...

I almost WISH government stop doing so much things to...er... for us.

[Jacobin]

27. Gridlock is good, VERY good

Keeps Chimpy in check, or at least, maybe the rubber stamp's ink will dry out

[Efilroft Sul]

28. Good argument for impeaching both Bush and Cheney.

Then we can have Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi become the nation's first female president. Gridlock solved.

[Bandit]

29. So...what's your point?

:shrug: You say that as if it is a bad thing....

[spanone]

30. Gotta start somewhere.

[Blackhatjack]

31. Subpoenoes Are The Key To Opening the Door To Bush Corruption

The hearings will do two things: First, Expose the depth and breadth of corruption that has gone on under the Republicans over the last 6 years of this Administration. Second, it will help the Democrats garner public opinion support for rolling back the abuses enacted by this Administration.

Public outrage can be a pretty powerful tool on Capitol Hill. After all, the most dangerous person to a politician is a registered voter.

[Nia Zuri]

33. Thanks Perky! So maybe the Dems shouldn't win?

[Perky]

36. All I am saying it the it will be difficult to govern...sheesh

[951-Riverside]

34. Thats why we must vote republican to prevent this gridlock

:wtf: :sarcasm:

[Perky]

38. For cripes sake

You are reasing waaaaaaay to much into my meaning all I am saying is that with so many senators running for President will be difficul;t to get anything accomplished. sheesh

Why are DUers so anxious to pick a fight with their own?

[951-Riverside]

39. Trust me I have nothing against you or the statement you made

...I was just trying to be funny, I apologize if you thought otherwise.

[UTUSN]

37. And your reason for wanting Dems to lose IS???????n/t

[Quantess]

40. What does accomoish mean?

accomoish should be a foil on a future SAT vocabulary question!

WHEN THE MEDIC ARRIVED, SHE____________THE WOUND.
a. accomoished
b. blanched
c. staunched

:evilgrin:

[Bluebear]

41. OK, you I like!

;)