Durbin: "Not enough votes to pass Obama's Job Bill"

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/184713-durbin-says-democrats-dont-currently-have-the-votes-for-obama-jobs-bill?utm_campaign=briefingroom&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterfeed

Durbin says Democrats don’t currently have the votes for Obama jobs bill
By Daniel Strauss - 09/29/11 07:33 PM ET

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said, at the moment, Democrats in Congress don’t have the votes to pass President Obama’s jobs bill, but Durbin added that that situation would change.

“Not at the moment, I don’t think we do, but, uh, we can work on it,” Durbin said, according to Chicago radio station WLS.

President Obama has been calling for Congress to pass his American Jobs Act since legislators returned from their August recess. The jobs plan is made up of a combination of tax increases on the wealthy, new infrastructure spending, an extension of the employee payroll-tax cut and additional funding for unemployment insurance benefits.

more at link

[ixion]

1. "but, uh, we can work on it"

yeah, hey, no problem. Take your time. Although, really, it's such an anemic piece of work it doesn't matter anyway.

[FrenchieCat]

25. He's calling us to action.....

But it appears that you don't give a shit....
meaning you can continue doing nothing.....as you were.

[cigsandcoffee]

31. “Not at the moment, I don’t think we do, but, uh, we can work on it,”

Yeah, that's really stimulating.

[FrenchieCat]

41. If you can't stimulate yourself based on what is at stake, then what can I say.

Perhaps politics ain't your thing. :shrug:

[ixion]

42. 'us'? to do what? HE'S the one in congress.

there isn't a damn thing the rest of us can do about it (other than try and survive in the worst economy since the depression), other than be pissed off at their complete LACK of action while they sit around collecting fat paychecks.

[Citizen Worker]

49. Social change happens in the US when we're in the streets and not until then.

[AndyTiedye]

2. There Will be No Jobs Bill Because Any Jobs Bill Would Help Obama and the Repigs Don't Want That

It really is that simple.

[johnaries]

11. EXACTLY! That's why Obama has so many Repig "plans" in it.

It's the classic "put up or shut up" ploy. We need the stimulus part of it - we actually need more stimulus than is in the plan. BUT, if we (notice I said WE) can point out that it uses both Republican and Democratic ideas and the Repigs STILL are against it - then we can paint the Repig party as the party of "NO" and get some meanigful legislation passed after Dems take over the next election.

I know it's a lot to ask of the people who are hurting now - but we're not getting anywhere now thanks to the party of NO. Our only hope is to hold out a little longer and HOPE that we can get a Congress that will actually pass some helpful legislation instead of protecting the Upper Class folks who are already doing just fine.

[ellisonz]

43. Do-Nothing Congress Part 3.

Hang'em High:mad:

[bigwillq]

3. I am really surprised?

:shrug:

Heck of a job, Congress. :eyes:

edited

[MadHound]

4. So once again we're going to see the tax cuts pass, the tax credits pass,

And Obama will sign a Republican bill.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

[TheWraith]

6. Or more like an endless repetition of the spin cycle...

...by those who would rather project their dissatisfaction onto an imaginary Obama who they can load with Republican policies, rather than actually looking at the Dems and the Reps objectively.

[MadHound]

20. Objectively eh?

Let's be objective here.

When you are dealing with an obstinate child such as the Republicans are, you don't keep rewarding them with policies and laws that are, in all actuality, the bread and butter of the Republican platform. The first stimulus contained over forty percent in tax cuts and tax credits, which do virtually nothing to stimulate the economy, but transfers wealth up the food chain quite well.

You don't give the insurance industry a mandated monopoly without having a public option to provide balance and price control. Yet here we are.

On and on this has gone on, budget crisis, tax cut extension, debt ceiling crisis, on and on. Obama comes out with the plans that are "bipartisan" to begin with, the Republicans throw a temper tantrum, so Congress passes only the parts of the bill at hand that are Republican and Obama completes the reward giving with a signature. Voila, Republican governance by proxy.

At some point Obama and the Dems have got to stop rewarding these obstinate children. If he's going to fight, then that means withholding the candy from the Republican baby. Throw it back in their face, and since they don't have the numbers to over ride a veto. If they want their tax cuts, then they will have to pass some actual Democratic legislation.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

39. +1 Zillion

[sad sally]

21. Words of wisdom from Mr. Einstein:

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...

[ellisonz]

44. So the answer is try nothing?

2012 elections are still about a year away!

[TheWraith]

5. That was obvious weeks ago, actually.

And it's why Obama went on the attack. They gave it a week, and it was obvious the Republicans weren't going to blink. The White House made the final determination that there's no more opportunity to govern, so they've returned to campaign mode.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. so, please explain to me...why can't we just let them filibuster??

what is the down side? surely we have 5o votes, no?

[TheWraith]

17. Maybe we do, maybe we don't. But either way, it won't pass the House.

And bringing it up in the Senate, even if we have 50+1, is pretty much just symbolic.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. Symbolic...but what better time? if not now, then when. Filabuster the shit out of it. nt

[Pirate Smile]

33. We don't even have all the Dems. This is what Durbin said & this is the exact same reason Congress

wouldn't deal with the Bush tax cuts before the 2010 election - a portion of the friggin Senate Dems will vote with the Republicans. Idiots and assholes:
   
""I want it back, passed, so I can sign this bill and start putting people back to work," Obama said Tuesday.
So why have Democrats delayed action in the U.S. Senate on President Obama’s stimulus bill?

WLS Radio’s Bill Cameron reports his own party has delayed action in the Senate and talked with Senator Dick Durbin, the number two Democrat in the Senate, about the reason why.
“The oil-producing state senators don’t like eliminating or reducing the subsidy for oil companies, “ Durbin tells WLS Radio, “There are some senators who are up for election who say I’m never gonna vote for a tax increase while I’m up for election, even on the wealthiest people. So, we’re not gonna have 100% Democratic senators. That’s why it needs to be bi-partisan and I hope we can find some Republicans who will join us to make it happen.”
But so far, Durbin concedes Democrats don’t have the votes in the senate to pass it, “Not at the moment, I don’t think we do but, uh, we can work on it.”'

The problem, once again, is Congress. The problem has always been - since Pres. Obama took office - with the Senate Dems or, now, the GOP controlled House.

Why isn't Guantanamo closed? Congress

Why didn't the previous Dem controlled Congress deal with the Bush tax cuts? Congress (Dem Senate)

Why didn't we get a public option? Congress (Dem Senate)

People are always ignoring where the obstacles truly lie ----Congress.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. I beg to differ on some of what you say....for instance, Guantanamo

the issue is a political one, a sensitive one. Once Obama understood exactly what
they were dealing with, people who are a real threat to society and no country would take them..
he caved...because no US state would take them in ...and he didn't want a whole state
being against him.

I think you are right...it is congress...but it is a congress that is acutely aware of the
situation and the vote counting..and the votes needed. so, they immediately say..sure, I am
for that, but it won't pass so....why bother.

I remember distinctly....Barney Frank...in 2004,,,when he was asked about vote fraud and
voting to approve the election of of AssHat. He said, something like...It doesn't matter..
we don't have the votes.

they have become pragmatists...and just give up before they get started. they don't
realize that many, many people, just want them to fight for what is right to the bitter
end.

[ellisonz]

45. Which accomplishes nada...

Give'em enough rope to hang themselves with - win independent voters. 2010 was typical mid-term. I expect big gains in 2012? All hands aboard.

[Tx4obama]

48. It takes 60 votes to invoke cloture on a bill. n/t

[RKP5637]

8. I've lowered my level of expectation for anything anymore, by anyone, anything. n/t

[elleng]

9. And he said this why?

[ellisonz]

46. Because he was asked. Do you want him to avoid media?

[elleng]

66. No, he shouldn't avoid media, and I understand he should answer questions he's asked.

Hoped it wasn't just 'volunteered.'

[Evasporque]

10. Repuke Shit Cans will never pass any Obama legislation....period.

Thay have already said that...they hate Obama more than than they love America.

[Amonester]

16. It's more like: "they hate Obama more than they hate America"

because they can't stop destroying the 99%.

[TBF]

23. That's for sure - and they wonder why folks are protesting. Assholes. nt

[Evasporque]

12. If the repukes do support it it is because they put a poison pill in it...

Democrats will flee and block it or Obama will be forced to veto his own legislation. WHen the majority in the house refuses to compromise they can do any to legislation.the Media will ensure that any BLOCK of job legislation is seen as an Obama failure...not Repuckfucklickshit obstructionism.

[RKP5637]

14. If, there is a republican majority across the board again, IMO that will

be the end of the US. There is so much alignment against a democracy it's hard to tell where the US will end up.

[SkyDaddy7]

59. If the Republicans win back all 3 branches...

Expect them to ram through as much legislation as they can to get us closer to a corporate controlled Christian Theocracy!

[RKP5637]

62. Exactly, and they're already working on it as discussed below, as many Americans

IMO snooze ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x305963

[Pirate Smile]

13. I read that Durbin said the Dem Senators from the "oil producing" states were against it because of

the elimination of the oil subsidies.

Yes, Mary Landrieu, we all know who he's talking about.

[ellisonz]

47. You'd think Katrina and Deep-Water Horizon would have sent a message to her...

...I guess not.

How everybody in the national media seems to have forgotten about Deep-Water Horizon? I can't think of a single time yet it's come up before a GOP candidate.

[Mr Gerrity]

15. It's our side

For f's sake. It's our side that is holding it up. I can't believe that we don't have 50 votes !!! Damn Dinos !!!

[TheWraith]

19. It wouldn't matter much if we had the 50+1 votes if it can't pass the House. nt

[Mr Gerrity]

22. You are correct...

But if we could pass it in the Senate. It would illustrate how the repukes in the house are holding the nation hostage. But the Dinos in the Senate are making sure nothing gets done. Ugggh!

[BlueDemKev]

24. Exactly

But the problem is, as usual, the Democrats can never frickin' UNITE on anything. We have a 53-47 majority in the Senate and you know what? Even if we still had a 60-40 Senate majority, I'd be willing to bet the Democrats would STILL have problems getting enough votes to pass their own president's bill.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

40. bad. but the good opposite of what we always hated the repuke

side for....siding with Bush 100% It's just ironic..we pride ourselves in
being free thinkers but when it comes down to a big vote we are like "get in line, now"

[Inuca]

60. 50?

Most likely 60 are needed.

[Cool Logic]

18. "Durbin added that the president’s bill would need bipartisan support because there are senators...

both on the left and the right opposed to aspects of it."

An estimate form the R & the L: Doug Holtz-Eakin, who was a top economic adviser to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign, argued that if the bill costs $450 billion (it's actually now $477 billion), and creates 1.2 million jobs,...that works out to an outlay of $350,000 per job--not a great rate of return. Jared Bernstein, a former top economic aide to the Obama White House, said it's more like $100,000 a job..."

The truth probably resides between those two estimates, which amounts to $225,000/job.

It is easy to see why those on the left and the right are opposed to it.

[Davis_X_Machina]

26. Welcome to coalition government.

There are two labels, yeah, but actually three parties in the Senate: Democrats-who-are-Democrats, Democrats-who-are-Republicans, and Republicans-who-are-Republicans. ¹

To pass legislation, you need two of those groups. If you're not there to pass legislation, you shouldn't cash your paycheck.

In a country where 21% of those polled self-identify as 'liberal', what did you expect? A representative body that's actually representative is going to be disappointing to anyone on the left.

(1) There used to be Republicans-who-are-Democrats, but they're all retired or dead. Never a lot, but enough. Chuck Percy. Jake Javits. Chaffee. Jeffords. Hatfield. Bill Cohen. Ed Brooke...

[Laura PourMeADrink]

28. I know the numbers. You are so right. But, so what...just go

for it.. Isn't that what Obama is doing - traveling everywhere?

Let'a go for it...all 4 barrels.

[Davis_X_Machina]

29. Why stop at 4 barrels? :-)

(But be prepared to be disappointed. I wouldn't take Durbin's job, or that of any other Senate liberal, for Jeter's salary. It's an endless diet of fake smiles, half-loaves, and so-called friends lying to your face every day, I reckon....)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. how could I be any more disappointed? I am in a "WTF, go for it

mood."

I still haven't heard anyone explain to my liking what the down side is to
taking a firm stand and fighting to the bitter end. Do you know
what fighting a filibuster entails?

[Davis_X_Machina]

51. Changing Rule 22 fighting?

Or getting to 60 votes in the present body with its present rules fighting?

Because they're different.

There won't be a filibuster in the next Senate anyways, because it will have a narrow GOP majority and Rule 22 in its present form will be eliminated.

[RagAss]

32. Then Get the Goddam Votes !!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

34. love it

[DCBob]

35. this was rather predictable.

Obama gave it his best shot but ultimately congress has to the pass the laws... and there are simply too many in congress that will not vote for anything that might help the President get re-elected.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. that is the stone wall, the elephant in the room... But..go at it

with every ounce of energy and positivism. Why not? When is
the last time you saw that?

[Major Hogwash]

38. Wow, that's a big surprise! Certainly didn't see THAT coming!

Wow.
This is hugh!

I mean, it simply defies logic.

[Hoosier Daddy]

52. What's next? The earth orbits the sun?

:rofl:

[Major Hogwash]

67. What??? Get out of here with that sun orbiting shit!!?!! Heretics! Man, where's my trident.

I need to skewer some badasses for being un-Christian!!

Onward Christian soldiers, marching off to war
Killing one another, ain't the same it was before
Give me that old time religion

[Tx4obama]

50. The GOP will continue to obstruct. We need 60+ dems in the Senate and a majority in the House. n/t

[mmonk]

53. When history is written on this period, it will mention the weakest political

party in US history or if not, will be incomplete.

[kentuck]

54. Did anyone actually think it was anything more than a political statement?

It has about as much chance as a snowball in Death Valley.

[GeorgeGist]

55. RIGHT on cue ...

or just clueless? You decide.

[Hubert Flottz]

56. Durbin is starting to look like a Dick...

with no balls.

[Inuca]

61. This is a very dickish and

unjutified comment. He stated a fact as an answer to a question, what have his "balls" to do with it? It's easy to throw stones from behind a keyboard.

[GeorgeGist]

57. I know someone's happy to hear this ...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WIK1XxbXaOU/TlDquZDXEEI/AAAAAAAAAFA/fEVF2UaZLJ0/s1600/baby+turtle.gif

[GeorgeGist]

58. Spoiler alert ...

I've seen this "No Drama" before and you know how it ends.

[elias7]

63. So when the final form does get passed, we can say Obama sold out again...

This is why I cut Obama slack. He can only do so much with this congress. And his priority is to pass something, anything that will help ALL people to some degree. I'm sorry that some people find this compromising approach so repulsive.

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need...."

[dmosh42]

64. The AVERAGE value of assets for our US Senate is 13.6 mil! (OpenCongress)

The reality is is this is our "House of Lords", and they just don't give a shit!

[a kennedy]

65. Well what the H*LL.......

:mad: :mad: :mad: