Backroom Deal - No filibuster for NSA Investigation

[LeftHander]

In the last minutes before the Alito vote democrats were scrambling to gather support for a filibuster. In the back-room one can imagine the political wrangling by moderate Democrats..here is a hypothetical discussion between moderate Democrat and a Republican senator.

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"Kennedy is going to push for a filibuster. I am not that keen on that prospect as I feel there are more important issues facing us today. My constituents and Left leaning colleagues are most concerned about the NSA wiretapping. We need to address this issue. You know keep the voters interested."

"Oh yes it is important to address the NSA wiretapping. That leak was very troubling. But we understand that it is a sensitive issue, my constituents too are very concerned. Very important issue for the voters, but one that must be handled to protect national security."

"Agreed. We should be able to make some sort of arrangement. That is equitable for both sides and satisfies our home states. Make some lemonade from these lemons."

"Yes We should. It seems reasonable. Tell you what if you can help bring a vote to the floor of Judge Alito I will do everything I can do to help bring to light the details of the NSA wiretapping situation. You know many do not want a investigation. But I can at least convince them it is important to make the appearance of doing so. We are all in this together."

"Yes. That is all I can ask of you my good friend. It is important to hold this country together. Everything is working so well now. Feingold and others will be glad to push for a NSA investigation. I will let them know that door is open and that we have support from some of our friends across the isle. We need to keep the wheels off our loose cannons."

"Yes it is. A filibuster of Alito would only cause problems. Problems that are simply to big for us to handle. We certainly don't want to open the door for inexperienced newcomers to join the club."

"Yes it is a sticky situation indeed. And we must maintain our decorum. We can't have non-senatorial people here making waves. Too much important work to do. I am glad we have had this talk."

"I am too."

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So now the NSA investigation has been killed, Hackett crushed. Progressive Senators look like they fought the good fight. And those Moderate senators are not surprised as they spent the political capital wisely again. Had they not there would not even been talk of a investigation.

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside doesn't it.

Let freedom reign.

[formercia]

1. The idea is to create an illusion that something is being done

but in fact, in the end, nothing gets done and the status quo is maintained. The few congressmen like John Conyers who try to change things for the better have to go up against a majority that want to keep their cushy, fat cat positions so they can feather their nests and enable them to maintain their lifestyle after they leave Washington.

[LeftHander]

2. ding ding ding....nt

[acmejack]

3. Here is a great post about that from Wednesday.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2461267

[rucky]

4. It's not a "deal" if it doesn't mutually benefit both parties. n/t

[JCMach1]

5. i.e. continued surrender... damn i'm getting sick

of this!

[whododayis]

6. fund raising opportunity?

what pisses me off to no end, is that i'll get a fund raising request from my democrat senators asking for donations and using whatever the potential filibuster target is, as an opening right before they cave and go completely spineless. after alito, i've quit giving altogether until the party develops the ability to stand for something besides being good at voting for republican measures and appointees.