Why Are Senate Dems Afraid of a Real Filibuster But Not Afraid to Condemn Move-On

[KoKo]

Why Are Senate Dems Afraid of a Real Filibuster But Not Afraid to Condemn Move-On
mjrosenberg's picture
By M.J. Rosenberg | bio

Over at TPM HQ, readers have taken issue with David Kurtz's argument that forcing Republicans to actually filibuster legislation would be a pointless exercise.

I agree with reader JE who wrote: "the Democrats should make them filibuster, and use the term "filibuster" whenever they describe what the Republicans have done, not idiotic characterizations like "we don't have the votes." The only way to counteract Republican falsely blaming the Democrats for being "do-nothing" is to make it abundantly clear that Republicans are being obstructionist. *Make* them filibuster. Make it a true filibuster, which stops all other business until a cloture vote occurs. If anyone complains, or if anyone in the media doesn't get it, tell them that all you want is an up-or-down vote, but a minority of Republicans is preventing the business of the country from getting done, not to keep the bill from passing, but just so their president doesn't have to *bother* to veto it.

Does anybody have any idea by our fearless Dems let the GOP off the hook by going immediately to a cloture vote, losing, and then going on to other business.

Why not force the GOP to stay up all night reading the Bible and The Collected Works of Ann Coulter. Let the electorate see them blocking the will off the people. Why would Dems be afraid of that?

Could it be the same reasoning that led 23 of them to vote today for a resolution condemning Moveon.org which the same number that voted for the original Levin amendment to oppose authorization of the Iraq war in 2002?
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2007/sep/20/why_are_senate_dems_afraid_of_a_real_filibuster
mjrosenberg's picture
By M.J. Rosenberg | bio

Over at TPM HQ, readers have taken issue with David Kurtz's argument that forcing Republicans to actually filibuster legislation would be a pointless exercise.

I agree with reader JE who wrote: "the Democrats should make them filibuster, and use the term "filibuster" whenever they describe what the Republicans have done, not idiotic characterizations like "we don't have the votes." The only way to counteract Republican falsely blaming the Democrats for being "do-nothing" is to make it abundantly clear that Republicans are being obstructionist. *Make* them filibuster. Make it a true filibuster, which stops all other business until a cloture vote occurs. If anyone complains, or if anyone in the media doesn't get it, tell them that all you want is an up-or-down vote, but a minority of Republicans is preventing the business of the country from getting done, not to keep the bill from passing, but just so their president doesn't have to *bother* to veto it.

Does anybody have any idea by our fearless Dems let the GOP off the hook by going immediately to a cloture vote, losing, and then going on to other business.

Why not force the GOP to stay up all night reading the Bible and The Collected Works of Ann Coulter. Let the electorate see them blocking the will off the people. Why would Dems be afraid of that?

Could it be the same reasoning that led 23 of them to vote today for a resolution condemning Moveon.org which the same number that voted for the original Levin amendment to oppose authorization of the Iraq war in 2002?

more of discussion at........
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2007/sep/20/why_are_senate_dems_afraid_of_a_real_filibuster

[movonne]

1. Does this make you think there are Dems out there that really want

this war to continue...I feel that the DLC is wanting this war to go on and on just like the repugs..there are powerful forces out there that are behind these dems and they are more afraid of them than us....

[donkeyotay]

2. Another good question.

I am so angry with the dems right now... :argh:

I am so angry with my country. Oh, we've had the really important debates, haven't we? Golly, I remember when Durbin used the word Nazi to describe GOP tactics. That was an important moment. Dean's scream, Gore's sighs, Kerry's flubbed joke... I'm sick to death of this bullying by the right going unchallenged - all the demands for apologies - where is our apology from the Right for George and his war? All the god damned lies. Oops - I said a bad word. Must I apologize now?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. 3 words. Politics As Usual.

And, they wonder why they're more unpopular the dunce infesting the WH.

[Bonobo]

4. Thanks for this post. I wish it were discussed as much as the taser incident.

[Robbien]

5. Two hyphenated words. BlueDogs

BlueDogs.

Evil.

[KoKo]

6. What we forget is that maybe those "Blue Dogs" need Leadership to move them on......

So far...there's been little to defend Dems on. Look at the Screaming CHIMP who manages to always thwart new Dem Congress...and this is after his Poppy/Baker STOLE an ELECTION FOR HIM?

Those Blue Dogs (the newly elected ones) have phone calls from rabid Repugs trashing them night and day....and yet their Democrats REFUSE TO DEFEND THEM.

[dave123williams]

7. I just gave what I would have donated to the Dems to MoveOn.

That's one thing that's sure to get the party's attention. Maybe the only thing.

[understandinglife]

8. Just gave MoveOn another $ 100.00

[Dr Fate]

9. They would rahter attack Liberals than try to even censure Bush, or simply call for his resignation.

Typical of the DEM "centrists"- join Bush in attacking Liberals-avoid attacking the real conservative villians at all.