Reid: 'No desire' to obstruct GOP

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday pledged to work with the new Republican majority and eschew the strategy of obstruction he has accused them of using against Democrats.

“I am ready, Mr. President, to work with him in good faith to make this institution function again for the American people. I saw firsthand how a strategy of destruction was debilitating to our system,” he said, addressing the Senate chair.

“I have no desire to engage in that manner,” he said.

Democrats accused Republicans of using filibusters over the past four years to paralyze the Senate and drive down public opinion of Congress and government as part of a broader political strategy.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/223898-reid-no-desire-to-obstruct-gop

[upaloopa]

1. Get rid of him

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. He is up for reelection in two years, but

I don't think that you would like his replacement.

[upaloopa]

12. I mean as minority leader.

We need someone who will fight for us
Why are we always willing to lay down and get walked over?
First it was Obama now Reid.

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. The Democrats in the Senate seem to be happy with his leadership

[Maedhros]

18. That, indeed, is the bigger problem.

Democrats are happy to go along to get along.

[MissDeeds]

19. +1000 n/t

[Cha]

66. No, it was Not President Obama.

[mazzarro]

48. Kind of interesting that when reThugs want to tie the place in knots they don't think about that!

That being whether they would loose or not to anybody and who would replace them. That is where they get the edge over Demos because they are prepared to live with the consequences but not so with Dems. Sooooo interesting that liberals refuse to challenge the dominance of conservatism at the local and state levels to begin with; how then can the liberals begin to change peoples minds and understanding?

[blackspade]

73. The problem with your thesis is that Reid et al are not liberals.

[villager]

2. America has two senators -- Sanders and Warren. The rest are wind-up toys

...owned by corporations.

A fact that no one even bothers disguising anymore.

[muntrv]

4. Actually, they are more like dummies and the corporations

are the ventriloquists.

[villager]

6. Well, that too.

Whatever they are, they sure as hell have no business in the legislative bodies of a "democracy."

But then, we haven't actually been a democracy in so long, perhaps they fit in perfectly...

[Phlem]

5. Exactly what I was afraid of.

Fuck.

[savalez]

7. Only a shit head party would proclaim to be the party of "no".

Though, by all means, block stuff you don't agree with Mr. Reid.

[Maedhros]

20. The tactic of being the "Party of No" worked very, very well for the Republicans.

Their supporters interpreted it as "taking a principled stand." I think Democratic supporters would do the same.

[savalez]

34. Block stuff you don't agree with

and pass stuff you do. Simple. We'll get the Senate back in 2016. As expected.

[Maedhros]

35. I don't expect the Republican majority will be bringing to the floor

many, if any, bills with which Democrats would agree.

[savalez]

36. Those should be blocked. n/t

[Louisiana1976]

58. Right on!

[blackspade]

74. History shows that they won't be blocked.

[savalez]

99. I don't know about that statement.

But there's still the veto.

[Dawson Leery]

8. If Turtle and the Drunk bring absurd bills

to the floor without Democratic input, Reid would still be justified in using the filibuster.

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. Or he could let the President veto them.

Wouldn't that bring more attention to how absurd these will are?

[Scuba]

49. Then they'll have to stand up and talk for hours, unlike when Dems control the Senate.

[get the red out]

9. He is ok with different rules then

applied to Republicans and Democrats in the Senate. Literally different majorities needed to pass bills. If this has any resemblance to democracy I can't see how. This is a travesty, a joke, just a big game on the public. Republicans matter more than Democrats so STFU Democrats, that's just they way it is, your voting will be curtailed, and when a Dem does accidentally get elected he/she will be among those most powerless in the Senate, whether in the majority or minority.

We have no fucking Government, none at all.

[a kennedy]

10. GOP Sets Its Top Priority For 2016: Defeating Harry Reid

Well here you go......Repbs want him gone also.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans, riding high after capturing the majority, said Wednesday that a top priority in 2016 will be defeating Democratic leader Harry Reid.

"It's not just about being in the majority, it's about expanding the majority at this point," Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., told reporters. "We'll do whatever it takes to make that happen."

Heller, who is seeking the chairmanship of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said the effort would be "just business."

The GOP won handily on Election Day, tightening its grip on the House and regaining control of the Senate after eight years. Republicans knocked off Democratic incumbents in Arkansas, North Carolina, Colorado and Alaska, where the latest vote count showed Dan Sullivan prevailing over Sen. Mark Begich, and claimed a handful of open seats.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/12/gop-harry-reid-2016_n_6145632.html

[davidpdx]

83. They made the same priority in 2010 and couldn't pull it off

I hope there are some decent D's in Nevada to run when he retires.

[Enrique]

11. "Democrats accused Republicans of using filibusters..."

I guess the Hill has no way of judging whether that's true.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

14. Good ol Give em head Harry!

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Roll Over and Bend Over

is not a very sound policy

Why don't you just all you 'D' Senators just put an 'R' next
to your name and go along with Mitch?

Better yet, no need to be there, just acquiesce and take a nap
every day.

A robot could do your jobs.

[Louisiana1976]

60. Well said. Better yet, the Dems should resign and let the rethugs run things.

[bucolic_frolic]

85. Yes

I ws being sarcastic too, but it may be their strategy at this point: Let
Obama take the heat and be the gatekeeper, rebuild Senate Dems' public
opinion polls, and let the GOP damage itself with its draconian policies.

We're about to see ..............

Voucherized Medicare
Privatized Social Secueity
Tax Cuts for the rich
Pollution from gutting regulations
EPA defunded
Obamacare repealed or selectively defunded (and people dying and going bankrupt from it)
Sales of Federal Lands and perhaps bits of national parks

Wonder if they'll defund payments to nursing homes? How much worse can
eldercare get for those who can't afford it?

[blkmusclmachine]

17. Doormat

And willingly so.

[blkmusclmachine]

21. One Party rule. Plain as anything.

[Maedhros]

23. How many times will the Democratic rank-and-file be duped by these charlatans

masquerading as Democratic politicians?

At every turn, when we need Democrats to fight, they roll over.

[Caretha]

59. Why do we think they are duped?

Seriously?

Let's quit pretending these are "3rd graders" without a clue. They know what they do. If & when he (Reid) goes along to get along and the Republicans pass draconian legislation ...I'll call him what he will be deserved to be called....

[DRoseDARs]

22. And it's Millenials' fault for not showing up at the polls. nt

[GeorgeGist]

28. Why would they show up?

The Boomers have fucked this country.

[MADem]

40. Well, that's a little pissy, don't you think? Cutting off their noses to spite their faces?

They have to live here when the boomers are long gone. Their inaction will impact their children and grandchildren.

One thing I will say for boomers--they are NOT politically indifferent. I'm disappointed in the number of 'em that lost their idealism in favor of the Greed is Good religion, but they do show up in much greater numbers than the younger generations, and they've been showing up for years, now.

I suppose if the draft was reinstituted, those young uns might get the spirit.

[Scootaloo]

56. Ah yes, the good ol' Draft

'Cause if you can't get your kids to foot your bills while you party, might as well kill 'em.

[MADem]

71. I am not "endorsing" the concept. I do wish the children would study their frickin history, though.

Then they wouldn't have to repeat it.

I look at right wing Europe, I look at right wing Canada, and now I see right wing America, and I fear for this frigging planet. And a lot of these Ayn Rand/Rand Paul/Gimme MINE crew don't give a crap. They want THEIR stuff.

I'm old, though--by the time this shit blows up, I'll be gone.

You'd think these kids who are so coddled, with so many advantages--cell phones, computers, so much interconnectivity, helicopter parents who will smooth the way, no need to tromp to the library and thumb through the "card catalog," then shuffle off to the stacks and hope the book is there...

You would think that they'd learn a bit of history and be inclined to not repeat it..?

Too much to ask, I guess?

[Xyzse]

84. People would be more inclined to vote if they see a marked difference between the two parties

When Democrats cater to Republicans just like that, it doesn't really show much.
The fact that they did little to promote a progressive agenda that people cared about, why would they show up?

When there is no difference between the two. They need to take more principled stands.
When you get poll after poll showing support for what Democrats talk about being important, and then it being sidelined and thrown away in favor of a Republican agenda, that is why many of them question the legitimacy of the process.

I think it is ridiculous for them to do so, but why would people fight for someone who would not defend or help themselves?

[MADem]

93. Would that this were true. Lots of elections have tons of choice, and people still stay home.

There were five gubernatorial candidates in Massachusetts--FIVE. They ran the gamut from "Free college for everyone" to "Lock up the pro-choicers." There was a load of choice there. People didn't care. They didn't research the candidates, they didn't tune in to the debates, they just Did Not Care.

People are simply unwilling to Get Off Their Asses. They won't stand in line, they won't write ahead of time for an absentee ballot, they don't give a flying fig about their franchise. They make the EXCUSE that it "doesn't matter" but the reason it doesn't matter is BECAUSE of THEM. They could make the difference and they refuse to so do. Nothing is lighting a fire under their asses. They front, but they don't actually DO.

Remember all those orange hatted idealists who were supposed to GOTV for Howard Dean...only a shitload of them just didn't show up, and many of the ones who did show up either alienated the people they were supposed to reach, or treated the whole exercise as a big old hook up party?

Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone?

[Xyzse]

95. Not quite but I do see your point.

People have been inculcated with the idea that the two party system is pretty much it. It is a choice between the Republican or Democrat. Where there is less of a difference in the net effect of whomever is in power.

Though yes, I do remember the GOTV efforts of Howard Dean.
I can agree with you in regards to how they alienated people due to their interactions, because it can be loud and obnoxious.

The idea though to me, is the balance between restraint, inaction and taking a princpled stand and actually explaining why it is important. That to me is sorely lacking.

Unfortunately, what Reid does, to me, even if I understand that this may be a nuanced reply to state that he be using hard politicking, it misses the point entirely by showing that they will give in to whatever Republicans demand. It really hurts their credibility as someone who fights for the poor and middle class.

It makes it harder for someone like me to tell any one else to show what they are doing. Just saying that Republicans are actively trying to screw you over is a hard sell.

As per mentioned, at the moment, I am annoyed at this, as it signals a pre-emptive caving. How can we expect the general electorate to see the difference when some of those who are actually invested in politics are having a hard time proving such a difference when it comes to the actual result rather than mere rhetoric?

I can't accept the idea of doing the same thing and hope for a different result.

[MADem]

101. No politicians ever came up to me and "explained why it was important."

I had a very screwed up education in that I didn't get the "typical American" upbringing (was partially educated abroad) but in the times I did have the pleasure of enjoying the American classroom, I remember taking classes in a thing called "CIVICS" where, among other things, the children were taught about how our nation's government works, and how important it was to vote, etc. How one should listen to the candidates, understand their positions, listen to (watch) the debates, and come to a conclusion based on what one has learned through one's own initiative.

I don't need my hand held. I don't need to be begged or pleaded with. I remembered those childhood lessons into adulthood. That said, when I fix my mind on a candidate, it is, as Tip O'Neill's neighbor told him (and he never forgot) "nice to be asked" for a vote for that candidate.

Perhaps we need to return "CIVICS" to the classroom, and then we won't have a bunch of bored slackers who are angry that they don't have enough choice, and who don't seem to get that the VOTERS drive the choice. If there are a lot of voters, they can be very powerful. If it's the same ten to twenty percent of the voting public, voting year in and year out, well, those guys don't have to appeal to a wide swathe of interests.

As for Harry Reid, he IS the sharpest knife in the drawer. Not for nothing did he create a position for Warren. I trust him, but that really doesn't matter. The people who want him to lead us in the Senate aren't the voters--he leads the Democratic Senators in the conduct of their daily business. They're the ones who make the call, and they like him (for good reason).

You should remember that Mitch McConnell announced to great fanfare that he was going to "make it his business" to OBSTRUCT Obama and the Dems at every turn on the day Obama was inaugurated. Reid's announcement is a gentle tap to Turtleboy's chin, saying "I am not going to act like an asshole, like YOU--let's see what your agenda is, let's put it out there, let's let the American people see what kind of crazy assholes they voted for." I think it's genius.

[Xyzse]

102. Completely agreed that Civics should be taught once more in the class rooms.

I do remember what Mitch McConnell has mentioned. It isn't that I can't see what Harry has done.
It is what it signals to every one else that worries me.

Nowadays, it isn't enough to just be that sharpest knife, or that individuals such as yourself don't need their hands held. You're not the problem, it is the ones that don't vote and have low information that is the issue.

Unfortunately, that is also the vast majority of the electorate. Stating that, it is necessary to sell oneself, and make a show of things.
Otherwise, it just falls flat and sinks without being seen. Doesn't matter how good, intelligent or well meaning one is, if in the end they are ineffective in getting their message out.

[MADem]

104. I don't have any answers. I don't know how to motivate these kids.

They just don't give a shit about the same things that previous generations found important. Maybe they want to be serfs, so long as they have high speed connectivity and a good game to play--I just don't know. It just boggles my mind, but I'm from a different generation so I don't share the same enjoyments in life--just as I don't share the same pleasures as my grandparents or great - grandparents.

Every generation has to make their own way. We can't force them to be "involved" or "interested." They've got to find their own reason. It won't be handed to them by some politician from on high--it will have to be organic and come from them. Maybe if their internet speed gets stomped on, that will motivate them. I just don't know what will do it. They don't have the specter of the draft in front of them, they don't have that paradigm where you work your whole life for a company and get a pension at the end, they think it's normal to change jobs every few years, to not settle in to a fixed path.

They live in a different world, with different priorities and goals. They either need to find their cause and go for it, or sit this one out. It's not for us to plead with them, they need to jump in and participate on their own, and if they can't find the self-motivation to do that, they are just gonna have to accept what they get without crying or whining if they've failed to participate in the process.

They have a fair amount of mass; they are in a position to drive at least some aspects of the conversation--why they don't bother to do that is a mystery.

[Xyzse]

105. We are all products of our environments sadly.

I don't have answers either, but being closer to the younger demographic, what I can tell you, is they prize simplicity and being able to hold your own.

Nuance flies over some people's head, not just the young. They haven't bothered to figure out the process either, which is why OWS to me is such a waste.

They have an idea on fairness, but feel like the current system is unfair to begin with and no one is fighting for them.
The democrats tend to have a closer message to what they are in to, but they are dealing with individuals that don't really speak for them or ones they can't really relate to.

Nor did the Democratic leadership seek to engage them. It was such a wasted opportunity.

[MADem]

108. Well, I've been hollered at for saying that OWS was a good idea, executed poorly.

Anything less than Happy-Glad about that fucked-up evolution can earn you some scars around these parts.

If they'd just had the guts to elect a few leaders, they may have found themselves with purpose, goals, an agenda. They might be a party wing or even a new party by now.

Instead, all that talking stick shit made them laughingstocks.

But you are WRONG about the Democratic leadership not "engaging" them--at least not at the OWS level. One Big Democrat did reach out--and got the frigging "hand" for his trouble.

When they refused to hear John Lewis and denigrated him--a fucking hero of the movement who put his life on the line--I figured they weren't long for a place in the media spotlight because they were halfway over the shark at that point. The wingnuts had a field day with this shit:

http://thegrio.com/2011/10/10/civil-rights-legend-john-lewis-snubbed-by-occupiers/

Not their finest hour.

When I was "young and cool," I didn't expect politicians to be cool, or act young. When they did play that pandering game, I regarded them as phonies. I did appreciate "straight talk" (no, McCain hasn't trademarked that, and he can't have it, either!). If someone told the truth, I could sense it, and I respected it.

I don't know what this generation wants, but I have the feeling that they are going to have to get out there and find it themselves, without help from any of the generations between them and the Ancient Order of Voting Geezers (a demographic I drive to the polls every election). Appealing to them doesn't seem to work, trying to engage them doesn't work, trying to tailor the issues to them doesn't resonate--they like the social events but they just don't show up at the polls.

[Xyzse]

111. Actually, I completely agree with you in that post.

[Reter]

92. They both suck

Boomers ruined the country and Millennials are lazy as shit. Xers rule because we are the best ever.

[maxrandb]

24. I don't see the problem with this.

Why is everyone so upset? Harry Reid is simply putting up the same resistance to Republican policies that he majority of Democrats and sane people did on November 4th.

I mean...come-on man! How many times did folks on DU tell us that there was "no difference" between the parties, and "the Dems are no better than the Repubs" and "didn't deserve support".

Seems to me that Harry Reid is simply doing the same thing that millions of 2012 voters did...laying down to the Repub agenda.

Good Luck America!

[BlueCaliDem]

27. Unfortunately, you are correct.

Elections have consequences. For those who couldn't be bothered to get their arses to the polls, this is the result - Republicans get to set the agenda for the country. Don't like it? GET OUT AND VOTE!

[Old Nick]

25. SCHUUUUUUU-mer!

Get in there and oust this fool.

[markpkessinger]

78. PuhleeZ , , ,

Schumer is as big a corporate tool as any of them.

[azurnoir]

26. well that's not helpful

[global1]

29. Again The Rethugs Put The Dems In This No Win Position....

For the last 6 years the Rethugs obstructed every chance they got. They used the filibuster like it was going out of style. For those same 6 years the Dems criticized them every time pointing out the damage the Rethugs were doing and the negative aspects of obstruction.

Now the tables are turned and it really puts the Dems in a bad spot if they use exactly the same tactics the Rethugs did and what they criticized the Rethugs for. I'm sure that the Rethugs thought ahead and counted on the fact that they were putting the Dems in a bad spot and that if the tables ever turned that the Dems would have to say that they were above these destructive tactics that the Rethugs used for 6 years and they wouldn't resort to those same tactics. After all how would it look?

Let's face it - the Rethugs outplay the Dems in just about everything they do. When you are a Party of no principles and filled with liars and just plain a..holes - what do you expect. They have no scruples and they get away with all their sinister tactics at the expense of the Dems and really at the expense of the American People.

Unfortunately - the American People are so pre-occupied with anything but politics - they are easily influenced by MSM because that's the easy way out instead of having to think for oneself.

As a result the American People just rewarded the Rethugs for their tactics and shot themselves in the foot. They voted against there better interests and when they finally wake up and realize what is happening right under their noses - it will be too late.

[turbinetree]

30. Great--whats next

Now we have the third way democrats going to sell out the middle class and the working poor once again for those making less than $117,000.00 a year because if you make $117,000.01 you don't have to pay into Social Security and then to top it all off the 6.2% being taken out of your check is going to go to WHO there, Wall Street, nice f***king profit, and no F***king accountability, thanks again for a great job in going spineless

Medicare and Medicaid will get to become a voucher system and a Means Test under the right wing Ayn Rand
Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged fascists oligarchy Paul Ryan espousing his budget for over 4 years, and the age will raise to that jerk John McCain (Bomb Bomb Iran) has been pushing for years AND raise it to 70 years of age, thanks a F***king lot there, great job going spineless

So if and when we die before 70 that money sits in the old sh***ter and if we need it, nope, it goes to the for-profit insurance companies and the for profit Wall Street hospitals and we get less, go figure, great job once again for going spineless

And to top it all off, this bunch are wondering why they loss, they ran from the president and they run and hide now because this elected official did not remove the f***king filibuster and that 60 vote rule and say that all bills will be voted on by a by a simple majority, a simple majority, thanks again for a great job and going spineless


And this elected dude is not going to filibuster and if he does on what: its not in your job description rule, really go spineless again, thanks for the great job for not protecting the party and people who had hoped and prayed that you would

[24601]

61. You have misunderstood the Social Security taxes. If you make $17,000.01, you pay SS tax on $17,000

and your additional $0.01 is not subject to SS tax.

Social Security is a defined benefit program and what you pay in determines what you receive upon retirement. If you raise the tax, are you prepared to raise the benefit commensurately?

[samsingh]

31. no surprise - our democratic leaders are wimps and that's why

we keep losing.

shades of dashle.

[RandiFan1290]

32. lol

[DonCoquixote]

33. Reid should have been throw out long ago

and frankly should have Landrieu, Manchin and any number of people who actually do for the GOp what their pwn people cannot do, because their own people would bungle the job.

Call it a purge if you will, but as logn as we get backstabbed, number do not count, because for every stepforward, there willbe a backstabber that makes sure we fall before we advance.

[tuhaybey]

37. obstruction

No doubt, the Republican obstruction has been devastating. You can get an idea of how devastating by comparing how our GDP performs when we have a unified Democratic government and when we have a divided government. The area between that blue line and that green line is the amount Republican obstruction has cost us over the years.

But, get this- Democratic obstruction HELPS the economy. The distance between the red line and the green line is the amount Democratic obstruction has boosted our GDP.

[MADem]

38. SMART MAN.

Why obstruct? Why come off like assholes--like the GOP have been?

Obama still has a veto pen. And I doubt the GOP will have the ability to override a popular veto.

[lamp_shade]

42. Agree.

[yurbud]

96. that's assuming Obama will use that veto pen

[4dsc]

97. You are correct sir.

Watching weak democratic party members makes me ill.

[yurbud]

98. It's kind of like being a paramedic, rushing a dying person to the hospital, only to be told

the doctor doesn't like to get his hands dirty.

[MADem]

100. Sometimes being a lame duck is a powerful position.

He starts his day with a big heaping helping dose of Fuckitall--he doesn't have to serve anybody, anymore.

He's not running for reelection, and it's unlikely in the extreme that his VP will run, either. He's got no flank to protect.

[yurbud]

106. it didn't seem to play out that way with Bubba.

[MADem]

107. Barack isn't Bubba.They don't have the same forces driving them, they're from different generations.

They're dealing with completely different issues in a completely different world.

[yurbud]

109. and yet Obama seemed to be trying to do triangulation--the GOP just refused to take yes f

for an answer.

[MADem]

110. Triangulation is telling the GOP to go fuck themselves on immigration, keystone, and global warming?

To say nothing of net neutrality?

Funny way to triangulate if you ask me.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141109/us--obama-immigration-bbf20aed99.html


http://350.org/press-release/kxl-veto-a-strong-move/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/12/us-china-usa-climatechange-mcconnell-idUSKCN0IW1TZ20141112

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/11/11/the-fcc-weighs-breaking-with-obama-over-the-future-of-the-internet/

[angrychair]

39. DNC needs to scrape the

Barnicilies off the Ship. Reid, Pelosi and all the rest of the DNC leadership need to be demoted and get fresh blood in there.

[MADem]

43. You don't get how it works. That's obvious from your comments.

"The DNC" has nothing to do with who the leadership is in the House or the Senate.

Those people "run" for those jobs, and the Democratic caucus ELECTS them.

The reason that Reid and Pelosi run the joint is because Senators and Representatives ELECT them to their positions.

You, me, and "the DNC" have nothing to do with it.

[angrychair]

77. that is where you

Are mistaken. I, them and you are Democrats and part of the DNC. The statement was more general to Party leadership. We elected PBO as president but he is also the head of the DNC. Reid and Pelosi led and were in critical positions that have a great deal of influence on races in their respective sides of congress.
Them along with along with Wasserman-Schultz, her advisors, DCCC and DSCC leadership need to all do the honorable thing and quiet.

[MADem]

81. No. You do not get it.

The DNC doesn't "choose" the Senate and House leadership, and because you think otherwise, you plainly don't understand how it works.

Our contribution to the process of selecting Congressional leadership ENDS in the voting booth.

And seriously--do you think ANYONE goes into the voting booth thinking "Shit, is this guy gonna vote to keep Reid in the leadership slot?"

Please.

The Congressional leaders have everything to do with the "housekeeping" that neither you nor I are privy to on a given day, unless we're working a piece of legislation and have to jump through those hoops to get to the principal leadership (which I've done in the past, but not for many years).

Reid has the rulebook tattooed on his ass--he knows it better than anyone else, and he knows how to use it to OUR advantage. That alone makes him the most qualified leader in the Senate.

[lamp_shade]

41. I disagree with most of you.

Harry is a shrewd politician and a master parliamentarian.
Imagine if he had said "I plan to obstruct at every turn". Oy!
He said the grown-up thing. He knows the rules and I'm confident that he has a plan and will do the right thing.

[MADem]

44. We have the catbird seat--and the guy in the catbird seat has a veto pen.

He's not running again, he doesn't have to worry about the next election, he's "free" of political worries n his lame duck session...so we could call that veto pen a "fuck you, Mitch" pen, if we'd like!

No reason for the Senate Democrats to come off like jerks--we can be the Adults in the Room.

I agree with you about Harry--many people here just don't appreciate his many skills.

[lamp_shade]

46. Harry knows how the game is played.

[MADem]

47. Couldn't agree more--he knows the rules backwards and forwards!

[JoePhilly]

86. Some here aren't bright enough to understand your point.

If he said "I plan to obstruct at every turn", there would be a media shit storm.

[lamp_shade]

88. ^^ Clearly.

[Skittles]

45. that's why you got trashed

[riversedge]

50. congress approval was at 11% but 94% got

re-elected.



think these numbers are accurate. correct me if wrong.

[dbackjon]

51. Way to wave the white Flag

Get the fuck out of the Senate, Reid.


You are worse than worthless

[SoapBox]

52. Of course you wouldn't...spineless jellyfish.

What a fuck'n joke.

[oldandhappy]

53. I think we win in 2016 if we stand aside now

and do not do the repub tricks. We need to let them stand in full light and show how they do not know how to govern and are totally against people.

[Doctor_J]

65. Yes, that 12-D chess/give them plenty of rope worked really well heading into 2010

Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.

[oldandhappy]

70. yea, ok

[Cosmocat]

89. Not for nothing

but, they have been raging, POS jackasses, literally my entire adult life - a quarter century.

I seriously doubt that when they are power, if the democrats are working WITH them, that somehow the people of this country will suddenly get that they are deranged assholes whose EVERY action works against this country's best interests.

[malokvale77]

54. Ugh (nt)

[santamargarita]

55. No Balls Harry should quit!

[toddwv]

57. I'd love for this to just be the PR face

Talk like compromise is at the top of the list, but make life a living hell for the GOP at every turn.

Unfortunately, I don't currently have a lot of faith in the Party's leaders at this point.

[Doctor_J]

62. Exhibit B on why the party is no longer a viable entity

Exhibit A lives in the White House

[Carolina]

64. Touche

And your signature line is right on target

[Cosmocat]

91. See, now that is just bullshit

Look, I agree that the party is at the point of complete worthlessness, but sorry, putting the knives into the man in the white house is the NUMBER ONE reason the party is worthless.

This is doing the republican bidding ...

[Turbineguy]

63. No need to

obstruct them in their task of making a mess of things.

[AC_Mem]

67. Republicans do NOT know how to govern

Time after time this is proven. Over the term of our President they have not come up with ANY good ideas. President Obama and the democrats got us out of the MESS that they put us in and unfortunately, due to either the fact that memories are extremely short, or people just don't give a crap, they will probably put us right back in hell again.

I don't get it. I'm mourning this election and the future of our country. I just don't understand why democrats didn't remember what happened when the teaparty won and why in hell they didn't get out and vote!

And don't even get me started about my state of Florida and how in the world the governor got elected again. I'm just SICK about this.

I voted, and I'm blue.

[Third Doctor]

68. Reid

You let the GOP obstruct you but you vow not to do the same to them. Remember that gentleman's agreement crap not too long ago? That was just for show wasn't it.

[Brigid]

69. Obstruct the GOP?

How is that possible when they're not doing anything?

[blackspade]

72. Holy Fuck.

Our party leaders are so fucking stupid.

[Stargleamer]

75. Why Does our side always capitulate??

this gets tiring after a while. Their side never gives an inch. Won't even approve of a Surgeon General.

[markpkessinger]

79. Because we're "pragmatists," don't you know!

[Cosmocat]

90. YEP

and, frankly, it has only gotten WORSE over time.

In my adult life, since the early 90s, the republicans have only gotten MEANER and MORE brazen about being assholes while the democrats have completely, and I mean right now totally, have lost any nerve or capacity to even try to put up a fight.

Things today are just the same as they were in the 90s, only WORSE.

[Prophet 451]

76. And that's the fucking problem!

The GOP doesn't do compromise, it's their way or the highway. And rather than resist their evil, our side keeps trying to meet them halfway.

[Blue Idaho]

80. That's fine as an initial public statement

But not fine when it comes to actually dealing with these lunatics. To be honest, I think Harry is past his Minority Leader freshness date. Give someone else a shot at the job.

[Odin2005]

82. You spineless POS.

[JoePhilly]

87. Does the GOP admit to obstructing Obama?

But according to most in this thread, Reid should admit to exactly that.

[yurbud]

94. with a GOP majority, it can function, but not for the American people

[GitRDun]

103. I am going the other way on this one.

I don't think "becoming what you abhore", obstructionists, is the answer.

I think it would be good for Republican bills to get to Obama's desk and get vetoed. He has a much greater level of visibility and can clearly stake out differences in philosophy that he will not abide.

Two years of press conferences and newsletters describing why bills have been vetoed may be just what the country needed.

I am not in the "Obama is a powder puff" crew either. I think he'll be stubbornly mindful of what his legacy will be once he leaves office....and he has nothing to lose.

I guess we'll see...