OK, maybe I'm being too down on the GOP today. And I hate to sound like an apologist for the new Congress, because they've disappointed me, too, but I'm just kinda burned out with hearing what a failure it is, when it's basically operating with its hands tied behind its back.
Yes, they've been cowardly in many ways; the impeachment issue being one, and they've failed their promise to do something about Iraq. But whenever they try something proactive, whether it's to do with Iraq or anything else, it's blocked at every turn. For one, there's Bush treating his veto power like a new toy he hadn't realized could be so much fun until he tried it...
And does anyone remember when "filibuster" was such a dirty word that it made poor Senate Leader Bill Frist break down in teary press conferences, at the mere suggestion the Dems might possibly employ it?
Now it's such an implicit matter of course that "a Senate majority" is commonly defined as 60 votes, the number needed to block a filibuster, rather than 51.
How soon some forget.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Yeah, I remember Bill Frist complaining about the obstructionist tactics of the Democrats. I don't remember him ever crying about it. I do remember Harry Reid whining about the Republican obstructionists. Funny, now that the shoe is on the other foot, all you liberals can do is wring your hands and say but we need sixty votes. Maybe Frist didn't have such a bad idea when he wanted to use the constitutional option (for judicial nominees only) to require a simple majority. But you know what Bill Frist never did do that whiny Harry does routinely? He never agreed to make almost every vote a 60 vote threshold. Harry even does it on simple amendments. You need some new leaders.
Hey, Paradise,
Not a bad point... I'd like to see someone with a little more gumption (for lack of a more colorful word) as Senate leader. Reid has a bit more dignity than Frist did (I clearly remember Frist giving a press conference with what looked like a tear-reddened face but it could have simply been a case of rage-induced hives) but I'd like to see someone who wouldn't be afraid to kick some ass once in a while, and Harry definitely isn't that person. I'm kind of surprised he's still in the job.
Post a Comment