Some Think Reid Bowing To Pressure From Dem Candidates

[kentuck]

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/some-think-reid-bowing-to-pressure-from-dem-candidates.php?ref=fpb

<snip>
How did Senate leadership go from all-systems-go on extending tax cuts for the middle class to let's wait for the lame duck? Some aides think it has everything to do with the elections.

A Senate Democratic aide told TPM that while leadership has opted to scrap plans for a tax cuts vote before the election, the caucus isn't so clearly against holding a vote now.

The aide said it's closely divided among the Democrats who want to punt until November and those who want to take a vote now to draw a distinction between their party and the Republicans in clear terms.

Another Senate aide said leadership and Majority Leader Harry Reid have weighted the decision toward the preference of senators in tough reelection battles.

....more

[napi21]

1. Well I happen to think Reid is WRONG! AFAIK the candidates who

are most likely to be against a vote now are the Blanche Lincoln's of the world & she doesn't stand a chance anyway!

[msongs]

2. dems who act like republicans lose to....real republicans nt

[DFLforever]

3. Of course. We might not like the strategy

but everything they do now is election-minded.

[depakid]

4. Ever the one to avoid a fight and run cover for Republicrats

even (or maybe especially) when he knows that it will hurt progressive Dems.

If he suffers the indignity of losing to a certifiable nutter come November, no one can say he has hasn't earned it.

Angle's ahead at the moment, and somehow I don't think this most recent display of spinelessness is going to rally any of his troops or sway undecideds and independents in his direction.

[The Magistrate]

5. Damn Harry Reid For Spineless Worm, Sir!

These creatures could be bluffed off a full house by a man without so much an ace high hand....

There is no excuse for this pusillanimity.

[kentuck]

6. I don't think he had the votes to pass the middle-class taxcuts...

But there were enough Dems siding with Repubs to pass the taxcuts for millionaires. That was the choice Reid had to make, in my opinion.

[DFLforever]

7. You're probably right.

And then there are senators like Schumer who don't want to make this type of
decision before an election. They don't want to lose the money and backing of that upper 2 or 3% just now.

[opihimoimoi]

8. Sometimes REALITY sends a message of Timing...if ya don't have

the votes, for any reasons, y don't confront...Ya wait for the right time.

That said: Should Reid call their bluff at this point and make it a big DEAL in a louder voice ???

What are the risks? Do we anticipate Blue Dog support in the future? Its a tiny thread the man must find.

The Dems need to rally round the man...giving benefit of doubt....he has earned it....Changing of the guard can come in Jan nx year.

[kentuck]

9. We, the voters., created this timid Party...

...From before even Clinton, we accepted any bluedog with a "D" by their name, knowing full well they would vote with the Repubs at the most inopportune times. We triangulated and maneuvered for poltical advantage, standing for little else We are responsible for this bunch of cowards that gather with the Dmeocratic Party. We are now reaping what we have sown, unfortunately. They care more for their jobs than they care about our jobs. Sad...

[opihimoimoi]

11. I totaly agree...missing in the equation is a voter Ed Dept LOL, aka Civics.

The Dems have a better Empathy Level prone to Reason, Truth, Sanity, and well being for all;

Dems are usually Happy Peeps...sharing and caring for society in general...

GOPers exhibt selfish behavior / traits....Bullies in Charge....everyone has a few in their respective families...

[librechik]

10. When the Pukkes voted against the middle class tax cuts, that would have given us the campaign

slogans we need... oh fuck it. This makes us into douches and we deserve to lose, and if the Dems don't see that fuck them.