Why the hell do Senate Dems fear a GOP filibuster?

[Barack_America]

Can someone enlighten me?

I can hardly think of something I would rather see MORE than GOP asshats and their conservadem conspirators reading from the goddamned PHONEBOOK on the Senate floor while Dems tell the stories of Americans who have died or lost their livelihoods from the corporate thievery that is our current healthcare system.

Why the hell should Dems choose budget reconciliation, and the almost certain narrowing of HCR scope that tact would require, over an honest-to-God filibuster of healthcare for Americans?

Senator Reid, America WANTS to see such a spectacle.

Now is the perfect time to call the GOP out and make them filibuster!

Thanksgiving, in particular, works for me.

I'm not much of a fan of football, but a GOP filibuster on CSPAN? Now THAT is must-see-TV!!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I know for a fact that this has been made clear to you already.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/23/the-myth-of-the-filibuste_n_169117.html

[Barack_America]

7. Even better.

It doesn't matter what the GOP says or doesn't say, just that they are seen as obstructing while Dems make the case of what that obstruction means for millions of uninsured Americans.

Even better if the GOP offers nothing to defend themselves and just sit there, sulking.

[anigbrowl]

22. Well, I'm OK with that

One could simply argue that the GOP senators aren't showing up for work, but they're still on the taxpayer's dime. I see no reason not to call their bluff, repeatedly if necessary.

[kentuck]

2. I would prefer to have them defeat it in a vote...

and defend that to the American people. I don't think it would help the Republicans.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. For reasons unbeknownst to me...

the people would seemingly hold it against Democrats for not getting it done, despite the fact that it's the Republicans that prevented it from happening. It's illogical, but that's how it'd shake down.

[ClassWarrior]

5. Thank you Kreskin.

:eyes:

NGU.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

6. WTF?

What is your problem?

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ClassWarrior]

20. You're right, we should just give up. Because, even if we do the right thing...

...the all-powerful Rape-Publicans will spin it to make it look like the wrong thing.

:rofl:

NGU.

[dionysus]

23. yes, the bill failing is all you want. you'll get the bonus of the dem party being blamed.

a twofer for you i guess.

:shrug:

[ClassWarrior]

25. Wow, another psychic! This thread is virtually swarming with them.

:eyes:

NGU.

[karynnj]

13. True - and how many Republicans - like Senator McConnell have said

they have 60 votes. If they want to pass anything they can. Ignoring the obvious that that includes Lieberman and it means we need everyone. So, if 40 Republicans do not let it come to a vote and are joined by one Democrat - they see it as all our fault. I think it is (40/41 times 100) % their fault.

[Progressive_In_NC]

4. Are they afraid the Repubs might actually start reading the bill out loud during the filibuster

I would be if I were them....

[optimator]

8. republicans might not like them and be their buddy

and that scares the shit out of them.
As Reid said awhile back, he feels like repubs are the girls who wouldn't dance with him in high school.

[Individualist]

9. Correct answer.

DLC doesn't want to do anything to alienate the repugs.

[ClassWarrior]

10. Got a link to that quote?

:crazy:

NGU.

[karynnj]

14. You just make quotes for real people up?

[EFerrari]

11. My guess would be because the right wing controls the media

so they get to spin whatever we do. :shrug:

[kenny blankenship]

12. If the filibuster is something only Republicans can use, which is what is being suggested upthread

(they can use it effectively, but when we were in the minority we could not) then every Democrat should be for abolishing the filibuster outright.

I don't why I even care anymore.

[HughMoran]

15. I want the Republicans to hold this up - all Senate business - until they die for all I care

This is not a game. No gamesmanship can be allowed to kill Americans due to lack of healthcare. There is no compromise here.

[Barack_America]

16. Yep. 51 Dems sitting in the chamber, ready to do business.

1 Republican demanding continuous quorum calls, completely obstructing all Senate business.

Seems to me it would be effective.

:shrug:

[HughMoran]

18. We'll supply the sleeping gas

:rofl:

Honestly, if there ever was a time to revolt against these obstructionist filthy pricks, this is it.

[GreenTea]

17. 51 votes a simple democratic majority is all the Dems need - Fuck the 60 vote bullshit

the republicans are trying to force on the majority party - Republicans have always passed bills with a simple majority, of 51 votes....

[Fumesucker]

21. They don't, it just gives them a convenient excuse to do what they *really* want to do..

Come on, do you really and truly think the Dems want to do the right thing by the American people?

This is all as fake as pro wrestling and the players all know how it's going to come out in the end, it's preordained.

[Better Believe It]

24. They don't fear a filibuster, they prefer the threat of a filibuster to justify inaction and as a

convenient excuse to not move for a vote on legislation because they lack 60 votes for cloture .... cloture on a non-existent filibuster!

[Barack_America]

26. There's probably a lot of truth to that.

Depressing.