Invite The Filibuster

[babylonsister]

http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=103077

Invite The Filibuster
David Brin


Like anybody sensible, I have reservations about the great big Christmas Tree Stimulus Bill. Half a dozen GOP senators are doing what the whole party ought to do, pointing out reasonable objections and negotiating about them in good faith. Partly because there are still a few reasonable Republicans in the Senate (gerrymandering has insured there are almost none in the House) and in part because they were deputized to do so, by a party that knows what will happen, if they obstruct too much.

But a thought occurred to me that I must share (despite breaking my vow to limit political postings to a minimum.) You see, there is a fascinating mythology going around. Everybody seems to think it's necessary for the Democrats to gather a super-majority of 60 votes in the Senate, in order to pass legislation, because that is the number needed to invoke a motion of cloture, limit debate and terminate a fillibuster. But consider underlying assumptions.

First , that Republican party discipline will remain uncannily strong. Second, that a filibuster of the Stimulus Bill comes without silver linings. Yes, party discipline is strong in a GOP that has been honed into an instrument of incredibly narrow dogmatism, especially in the House. But this runs counter to the country's mood, and may backfire.

Remember that a filibuster is - above all - an act political theater. (Which is one reason Democrats used it so seldom during the Bush years.) In fact, it is a bluff. If the majority ever called that bluff, the minority would have to maintain a tiring, round-the-clock tag team blather festival, in which elderly, bleary-eyed, elderly Southern senators would have to keep on talking and talking -- trawling for increasingly incoherent things to say in front of CSPAN cameras -- calling themselves "heroic" for standing up against legislation that has the backing of a popular president and a large majority of Americans.

And this is a losing situation for the Democrats... how? And who then gets the blame, with every bad piece of economic news?

There is something to be said for having the Dems deal with the filibuster threat right up front, by calling the Republicans' bluff. Forcing the issue while the President is popular and the issues are stark would put the GOP on notice and also set the precedent that Obama is willing to face such threats down.

Then, once this shiboleth is broken - and true to his nature - let the President offer his hand.

[global1]

1. Bring Out The Cots And Let The Spew......nt

[jaxx]

2. I agree, call them on their threat.

The pubs, for all their whining about fiscal responsibility have been the most irresponsible we've seen in a long time. Let their true colors show, and let the voters take notice of their futures being used to promote republican ignorance.

[MineralMan]

3. I've been saying this since the election.

Screw the GOP. Let them filibuster and broadcast the entire ridiculous spectacle non-stop. Ridicule those who are reading home-state church lady cookbooks on the Senate floor. President Obama can use his bully pulpit to heap scorn on the obstructionist Senators.

Eventually, the stupid filibuster will fall apart and the vote will be taken. The measure will pass, and that will be the end of filibusters for some time.

It would be the best comedy show on television while it went on. CSPAN could carry the nonsense live, and we could all post YouTube videos of old GOP senators droning on about ridiculous things.

The filibuster would not last for more than 72 hours. Call for the vote every hour on the hour, forcing them to go 24 hours per day.

Enough of this namby-pamby cowering to the party that has no real power. We can pass any bill we want to. We just might have to wait a few days while we ridicule the idiots.

[ixion]

4. I agree... let them Filibuster...

a) Repubs don't really like to work hard, they just like to force others to do so.

b) the more they talk, the less popular they become.

c) it would give the dems a great chance to show that it is nothing more than theater.

d) it would make rethugs look like the idiots that they are.

e) when dems are back in the minority, they have a great comeback when rethugs whine about filibustering.

[KharmaTrain]

5. Add Me To This List...Anyone Remember 1995???

Let the GOOP shut down the government...and to do so at their peril. They've overplayed their hand many times in the past and still haven't figured out that people want change and this stimulus package. Their desperate need to pander and hold on to what remains of their base is alienating them from the moderates and independents they need to ever be a viable national party.

By letting them fillibuster, let's see how much real resolve they have. Gingrich played games like this with Clinton...shutting down the government and it cost him big time...helping re-elect Clinton and led to Gingrich's subsequent dumping. A similar shutdown at a critical time like this would be even more toxic...especially for those who are singled out as being the cause. It's a challenge well worth taking just to see how "strong" the GOOP really is.

This is the first big battle of a new political era. The GOOP is desperate to fight tooth and nail, even if it means sending the country further down the tubes to save their own sorry asses. The Democrats have to realize they have the numbers...it doesn't get much better than what they have in both Representatives and Senators along with popular support. Those who are afraid to confront should just get out of the way...and I have a suspicion the Obama administration is ready for this battle...and might even welcome it. Breaking their spirit will disintigrate the GOOP...plain and simple.

[bottomtheweaver]

6. I think the sooner we get this over with, the better.

Otherwise, Dems will be dancing to Vitter's tune and passing shitty legislation until the pukes retake the Senate, which won't be long if they're allowed to walk off with the store. I think it's fair to say that Obama gave bipartisanship the old college try and it failed, so let's proceed directly to hardball.