UPDATE: Unapologetic Democratic Senator Tom Harkin from the radical state of Iowa explains the epic capitulation:
Harkin said of the leaders' filibuster plan. "It still will provide a system where people can filibuster and they don't even have to come here."
And that will make it virtually impossible for Obama to carry out his vision for his second term, Harkin argued.
"I said to President Obama back in August ... and I said to him the night before the election, I said to him, 'Look, if you get reelected, if we don't do something significant about filibuster reform, you might as well take a four-year vacation,'" Harkin said. "This is not significant."
The president is left with few options, Harkin added.
Proving the old adage that Democrats in the United States Senate never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, today, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid agreed to a watered down set of rules that will allow Republicans to continue their historic obstruction of President Obama's agenda:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are nearing a bipartisan deal to enact minor changes to the filibuster, two sources familiar with the negotiations tell TPM.
The deal, which is not yet final, makes very modest changes. It would permit the majority to bypass a filibuster on the motion to proceed to debate - if a group of senators on each side agree or if there's a guarantee that both sides will get to offer amendments, the sources said Wednesday evening.
[...]
The emerging agreement reflects the plan that Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Carl Levin (D-MI) put forth to avoid further-reaching filibuster reform that proponents wanted. But it tweaks some aspects to address Democrats' concerns that it would empower the minority to add poison pills to legislation.
Deadlock and delay was the Republican strategy the last few years.
That will continue.
Lies, broken deals and endless filibusters were their tools.
That will continue.
Republicans were smoked in the election, their policies rejected, their candidates beaten, their philosophy a hypcritical and unintelligible mess.
That will continue.
Yet, Democrats in DC still can't find the nerve to do what needs to be done; still can't find the guts to do what voters implored; don't have the instinct to lead this nation with principle and purpose.
That, too, will continue. |
