Roadblock Republicans Return

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_11/015763.php

ROADBLOCK REPUBLICANS RETURN.... In the 110th Congress, the Senate Republican minority, with 49 seats, filibustered more legislation than any Senate minority in congressional history. Can the GOP break its own record in the 111th?

We already know that Republicans aren't shy about throwing around the "f" word. Literally just three days after Barack Obama won the presidential campaign, Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second highest ranking Republican in the chamber, publicly vowed to filibuster any prospective Supreme Court nominee he deemed to be too liberal.

Today, the highest ranking Republican in the chamber speculated about another two years of filibusters.

A feisty Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Friday that while he looks forward to working with President-elect Barack Obama in the coming months, Republicans will continue to demand that they be given the ability to amend legislation or will filibuster bills as they move through the Senate.

McConnell released a letter signed by the entire GOP Conference to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) calling on him to use a more open process for advancing legislation in the 111th, a clear warning to Reid that Republicans will be looking to stand together over the next two years.

"The 42 Republican Senators represent 157 million Americans. Their voices are entitled to be heard, and the way to be heard in the Senate is an open amendment process," a clearly rejuvenated McConnell told reporters.

Remember when McConnell opposed an open amendment process when Republicans were in the majority? Remember when McConnell used to believe "up or down vote" were the four most important words in the English language?

Good times, good times.
—Steve Benen

[Donnachaidh]

1. These nutjobs don't see that they are killing thier party with their tantrums

Fine with me. I can wait two years to see more of them ousted.

[codjh9]

2. Nah, they don't represent 157 million Americans - they represent the winning percentage

of voters who voted for them in those states... probably more like what, 80 million? 90? I mean, hell, Cornyn & Hutchison sure don't represent ME here in TX...

[eleny]

3. But now we have a Dem president with an electronic bully pulpit

:evilgrin:

It won't be as easy for them as it has been.

[BOSSHOG]

4. There will be no honeymoon

and I suspect Rahm Emanuel is primed to wear out his ginzu knives eviscerating every republican blocking tactic put forward in the court of public opinion.

[tosh]

12. I relish the thought of that.

:evilgrin:

[glowing]

5. Things will look different with a Democrat as President.. When he says get something done,

and they block the effort.. they will be on the losing side in 2010. These times aren't the times to block legislation in a political play... AND I believe Obama will use his bully pulpit to get things done.

[FLAprogressive]

6. This is where Republican Sens. Collins, Snowe, and Specter come in.

They're less likely to roadblock Supreme Court nominees/etc. and we'll need them if we want to get anyone decent appointed.

As of now we'd only need 2 of the 3 anyway......

[bigtree]

7. these are the folks who are expected to work with the new administration?

Nice.

[MzNov]

8. Mitch the Whineority Leader is feisty?

when did that happen? He looks pretty depressed to me. But now I guess he is energized with a brand new mission. Block absolutely everything the Democrats want.

:cry: :cry: BIG BABIES !

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. These clowns will be the new speed bumps, not road blocks.

Get used to it, Mitch. Stand together? OK, knock over all 42 at once.

Bring 'em on.

[OhioChick]

10. K&R

:kick:

[truebrit71]

11. These fuckers have to be MADE to filibuster...last session they just threatened and Reid caved...

...useless fucking sack of shit that he is...He never called their bluff....

Of course if we can get Chambliss and Coleman out it shouldn't be too difficult to tell McConnell to go shove his threats where the sun don't shine...

[Generic Other]

13. And what did GOP threaten to do if Dems filibustered???

I believe they threatened to end the practice of the filibuster.

<snip>GOP leaders are threatening a rule change to prohibit the use of filibusters to block judicial nominees and have stepped up their criticism of the Democrats for using the tactic on some of Bush's nominees to the federal appellate courts. They say they are prepared to invoke what has become known as the "nuclear option" to ensure that Bush's nominees receive an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2004/10/26/AR2005032201677.html

Some of us have long memories and are willing to play hardball to get what we want too.

[Winterblues]

14. The 42 Republican Senators represent 157 million Americans.

Bullshit...All they represent is their own states. Only the President can say he represents such numbers.. They just plain don't know what they are talking about and it is becoming boorish.

[TheKentuckian]

15. Mitch, buddy don't stress

We'll give you every courtesy you extended to us when the shoe was on the other foot and expect you to be as cooperative as we proved to be.

[robinlynne]

16. damn I wish the Democrats would learn from them.They didn't even filibuster

major major treason like the telecom immunity or the patriot act. Had they even considered filibustering the war, it wouldn't have happened...