Harry Reid (D) Nevada giving them heck on Senate floor

[HootieMcBoob]

He said he'll be talking until at least 6pm and later if necessary. He's pissed off at the way the Senate is being run and how they are trying to make the economy look good when it still looks like crap. He's upset about the repubs plan to take 30 hours out of business later in the week to whine about not getting 4 judges confirmed. He won't yield for questions. Check it out on C-Span now! :toast:

[eileen_d]

1. Uh-oh, another "spineless Democrat?"

:eyes:

That's sarcasm for the smiley-impaired.

[La_Serpiente]

2. I heard that

they weren't going to allow the Democrats to even speak during the filibuster.

I am not sure about that, but it is a possibility.

The longest filibuster on record is by Strom Thurmond for 30 hours and 18 minutes.

[knight_of_the_star]

3. Come on Reid!

You can beat old Strom for that record!

[goobergunch]

13. 24:18 (n/t)

[CO Liberal]

29. Strom Spent The Entire 30 Hours Trying to Remember .....

... what he was talking about.

:-)

[goobergunch]

31. 24, not 30 (n/t)

[Neecy]

4. it's entertaining...

in a sick sort of way. I love his charts and commentary ("Brach's candy. I'm sure we've all enjoyed it at some point").

He's an interesting character. He seems so low-key and mild, yet he can be totally snarky when needed.

[Don_G]

5. Sounds Like DLC Material

Byrd too.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Thank You!

I LOVE watching the Senate. This is great. I hope every Dem member gets up there and reads them the riot act!

[mndemocrat_29]

7. Three cheers for Harry Reid

:yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. Question...

He's upset about the repubs plan to take 30 hours out of business later in the week to whine about not getting 4 judges confirmed.

Does that mean the Repubs plan on making 30 hours of speeches at the end of the week? Could the Dems do what Reid is doing and not yield and give up the 30 hours the Repubs want?

OR are the Repubs just not showing up for the sessions? What's up? Anyone know?

[hatrack]

9. These days, who can say?

When six Senators can approve $87 billion to fund a war (out of 100 members), I can't even tell how Congress works any more.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. While listening to Reid

I caught it. The damn Repubs want to spend 30 hours on the Senate floor bitching about not getting their 4 judges confirmed. The Dems have confirmed 168!!!!of the shrubs nominees. The repubs want to WASTE the time WHINING about those 4 damn judges instead of doing what they were elected to do. KUDOS to REID!

[nostamj]

20. no, the time is to be divided evenly

but, it's a hypocritical shitfest.

whine whine whine, you didn't give us 100% of OUR judges.

fuck 'em all

I HATE REPUBLICANS

[snippy]

52. I hope democrats spend their time calling republicans hypocrtical liars.

I sent this email to almost every democratic Senator this weekend.

Dear Senators:

I have read that Senate republican leaders plan to devote 30 straight hours of debate next week in their bid to confirm a handful of judicial nominees being blocked by democrats. If this occurs it will present a huge opportunity for democratic Senators to do something good for this country.

This debate will receive a fair amount of media coverage when it begins. Democrats need to seize this opportunity to make this debate receive a huge amount of media coverage and to determine what that coverage includes. If the democratic Senators are bold and brave they can dominate that coverage.

Every democratic Senator needs to make exactly the same point when it is his or her turn to speak. That point is that the republicans are lying hypocrites about the blocking of Bush's judicial nominees. The democrats should not be overly polite or genteel, or even respectful. The making of that point needs to be shocking in its bluntness and brutal honesty. It needs to be exceptionally newsworthy.

Democratic Senators need to emphasize these facts:

1. Republicans blocked 167 Clinton judicial nominees.

2. Democrats have blocked 4 Bush judicial nominees.

3. Bush has had 168 judicial nominees confirmed in less than 3 years, a record number for that length of time.

4. The vacancy rate in the federal courts is at its lowest level in 13 years.

If the Democratic Senators hammer home these 4 facts and accuse the republicans of being hypocrites and liars over and over and over again, the media will cover that story and it will be big news. The media will report the actual facts concerning judicial nominations. The media will report the lying hypocrisy of the republicans. People will remember that the republicans were exposed as hypocritical liars.

If the democrats talk about the qualifications or lack thereof of the nominees it will be boring and people will remember only that democrats are blocking some of Bush's nominees. It will be playing right into the republican plan.

Exposing the republicans for the hypocritical liars they are will have ramifications far beyond the judicial confirmation process. The American people will remember it in other contexts as well.

The republican party is spending huge amounts of time and money to define the democratic party in false terms. It is time for the democratic party to define the republican party truthfully. Please take this opportunity to begin.

Sincerely,

XXX

[aquart]

66. Well, I'm disgusted.

We gave them 168 judges after what they did to Clinton?

We're such pussies. Declawed pussies.

[snippy]

79. Hard to argue with that.

But, since the numbers are so easy to understand, it may present the best opportunity to educate the American people on what hypocritical liars the republicans are.

[Neecy]

11. heh

...he's calling the Senate Republicans 'dictators' and 'tyrants'.

This is kinda fun.

[goobergunch]

12. 25 minutes to the Pastore Rule running out

Then he can talk about anything he wants.

:evilgrin:

[in_cog_ni_to]

14. You mean

then he could like talk about what he wants for dinner? or maybe, tell how to change the oil in the car? or something like that? Or does it have to be governmental?

[goobergunch]

15. ANYTHING.

Anything. Sen. Huey Long once discussed recipes during a 1930s filibuster.

Reid's now discussing how they have to work together.

[xxqqqzme]

16. still talkin' - just

yielded 4 another question. Tallking about min wage & health insurance - or lack of it. He seems pretty mild mannered - what's he like as your senator - all U Nevada DUers?

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

25. Overall I like Reid

I'm a Nevadan, and I like Harry Reid.

Whenever I email him I get a quick reply, as opposed to the (R) senator who takes weeks to respond.

I had a 14 year old student last year who met Reid. If you're a Nevadan, and you visit D.C., he will have breakfast with you (I think he's available Thursdays). My student took this opportunity and met Reid in D.C. One year later, he ran into Reid, and Reid remembered him and asked him something quite specific, like "Did you win your soccor match after we met?" This impressed me.

[Eloriel]

63. I've always been very impressed by him

I'll settle for really good and competent, but that personal touch is extraordinary.

Eloriel

[CO Liberal]

33. I Liked Him When I Lived In Nevada

Of course, now I have two of the worst Senators - Wayne Dullard and Ben Nightmare Campbell.

[knight_of_the_star]

22. Ooh, evil thoughts!

He could bust out a phone book with ALL the names of the people in all the cities in his home state and say, "This is who this issue affects" and start reading off ALL the names! Or he could read "War and Peace" by Tolsty, "This was my favorite bedtime story as a child..."

The possibilities are endless

[Dookus]

17. just tuned in....

he's still going!

What time did he start?

[zls44]

18. I started a new thread

Couldnt resist...GO HARRY GO!

And I love Durbin's questions...:D

[xxqqqzme]

19. 1:15 est

the caption said earlier. Durbin making point that rethugs refused 2 give 60 Clinton nominees a hearing. And now they're whining about 4 squatter non-qualified clowns. This is great - I sure the chamber is MT but it is fun watching 'n listening.

[joanski01]

21. This is fun!

I watched about two hours of Reid, when he started at 1:00 p.m. He said it may be way later than 6:00, when they were supposed to do some voting.

Harry Reid is doing this in protest of the 30 hour debate, starting 6:00 on Wednesday evening, to complain about the judges not getting confirmed. He is protesting because they have too many appropriations bills to pass, and the Repukes are taking 30 hours to talk about people who ALREADY have jobs. High paying ones.

I heard Rick Santorum this morning, at a repeat of his Friday press conference, saying that the Dems could talk all they wanted to. He said he didn't care if they took the whole time. BUT, he admitted, if they aren't paying attention, they will call the judges up for a vote. He said "Yes, we will do that". (I hate him.)

[nostamj]

23. "they will call the judges up for a vote" ?????

WTF?

this is a trick to try to slip the stinkiest repuke sleaze under the door?

they dems damn well better pay attention.

anyone of these republican bushwhores would crawl naked over broken glass if the boyking wants it.

I HATE REPUBLICANS

(and republicans hate me)

[knight_of_the_star]

24. So what if they do?

We can just fillibuster them again :P. See how they like getting two in a row!

[joanski01]

26. No, we can't filibuster them again.

If they sneak in an up or down vote, that means the Repukes don't have to have 60 votes. Just the majority -- like 51 votes. That's what this is all about. Getting the Dems to tire out and not pay attention. Let's see, Santorum said if some of the Dems don't get enough coffee .... Then they will get in their up or down vote. I saw Santorum and heard him say that.

[goobergunch]

28. That's scummy.

I have no respect for those tactics. Forcing a filibuster is one thing. Tiring people out so they don't hear motions is quite another.

With at least 35 Senators on hand, it shouldn't be too difficult to keep a round-the-clock watch on.

[knight_of_the_star]

49. We could beat them though

If we just keep a CONSTANT supply of coffee going to the Dem Senators!

Realistically, if we keep a few Senators in there in shifts waiting for the pukes to call for a vote they can demand quorom and then start fillibustering. The possibilities...

[Some Moran]

32. I guess Santorum's gonna wait till those liebruls start screwin the dog ;)

heheh

[snippy]

43. I have been worried about Senator on dog sex increasing in Pennsylvania.

[terrya]

27. Can't Reid get someone else to take over?

I'm watching it right now. But I'm not sure how long he can last.

Good for him. But you can tell he's beginning to get tired.

[goobergunch]

30. Yes

He just has to yield directly to them.

[knight_of_the_star]

47. And now I yield the floor...

To the esteemed Senator from West Virginia."

I would love to see how the pukes would take THAT.

[ShaneGR]

34. When did he start, he's been standing there a LONG time!!!

Can he hold the floor forever?

[goobergunch]

35. 1:15 EST

Theoretically, he can hold the floor forever. In practice, he probably can't. But there's no rule against it. It's what I like to call a...

FILIBUSTER!

[MoonRiver]

68. YEAH! Filibusters can be educational and constructive!

Now that we have C-SPAN to broadcast what Senators say during a filibuster, factual news might actually be available to Americans. Go Dems! Filibuster the holy heck outta those repuke creeps! And while you're at it, tell the public what is actually happening in this faux administration!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[joanski01]

36. He started at 1:15 p.m. today.

n/t

[tritsofme]

37. Can repukes force a cloture to make him stop talking?

[goobergunch]

38. If they have 60 votes, and it will take two days for the motion to mature

The pending business is the conference report on the FY 2004 Commerce/Justice/State Appropriations bill.

[ShaneGR]

39. They would need 8 Dems to defect on a cloture vote.....

I'm counting Miller as a Repug....

They might get one more, Nelson from Florida.

I can't think of anyone else who would cross over on this issue.

[goobergunch]

41. Technically it's on the Commerce/Justice/State appropriations bill

I could see 8 defections, given that this bill passed 400-21 in the House.

[lysergik]

40. Get this man an unabridged dictionary to read..

..once he finishes his current book he's reading to the "Children" of the Senate.

[knight_of_the_star]

42. Oh yeah!

Someone quick, get him the complete unabridged classics of Leo Tolstoy, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemmingway, and William Shakespeare!

[joanski01]

45. This is just great, but

you know we are going to be called "obstructionists". Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha It feels so good to be an obstructionist. Along with commie, Nazi, bed-wetting, nut-ball, stupid, traitor, socialist, etc.

[lysergik]

56. The repukes are going to do it.. so can Harry! n/t

[MoonRiver]

69. Call Dems rightwing obstructionists, then hold ears against the applause!

:bounce: :toast: :bounce: :toast:

[lysergik]

57. Scratch that.. Give him the Diebold memos to read for everyone!

That would make jaws drop ;)

[lysergik]

58. Scratch that.. Give him the Diebold memos to read for everyone!

That would make jaws drop ;)

[Hogarth]

61. He must really have to pee.

n/t

[ShaneGR]

64. Actually, give him the childrens book Bush read to kids on 9/11

Let him read it, just once. And point out that this is what Bush did while Americans continued to die.

[The Sushi Bandit]

44. I caught part of his address on CSPAN

Great stuff Harry! Keep it up!

[Dookus]

46. btw...

who's presiding? Anybody know?

[nostamj]

48. another question...

anyone know how long he's planning to go???

is it UNTIL the repukeathon on wednesday???

is that even possible? i just haven't heard what the PLAN is...

[knight_of_the_star]

50. That would be amazing

If he could, but he's going to need a LOT of help to keep going until Wednesday.

[goobergunch]

51. Senator from Kansas

meaning either Roberts or Brownback.

[JohnGideon]

55. He's Still Going Strong....

reading his book on the history of Searchlight, NV. He's also run down the list of what you can buy from the local Searchlight McDonalds. Occassionally he asks the Presiding Officer to wake up and pay attention.

You go Harry!!!!!

[liberalcapitalist]

53. i'm more of a McFlurry man, myself

http://www.godhatesbush.com

[goobergunch]

54. LOL

Well you can now get one in Searchlight....

[nomatrix]

59. Harry has a very dry sense of humor

"Chapter 4, how Searchlight got it's name. I'm sure the president (of the senate) is very anxious to hear (making sure he is paying attention). We ought to have a Democratic retreat in Searchlight, it has one hotel, and a McDonald's with McFlurry's, I love McFlurry's. Only 25 chapter's more," (correct me if I'm wrong)

I love the way, Durbin interrupt's so suble

If you aren't watching or haven't ever watched them in action a brief description of Harry Reid

Fair and balanced
mild-mannered
slow and steady
turtle who will win the race

minority whip. He usually comes forward with the agenda for the day, setting schedules with the Majority.

If you took bet's on who would fillibuster, he would be the last one you would think of, then to read the book you wrote about mining, Harry is showing no mercy. Turn that screw!

[tritsofme]

60. He looks very tired.

[Langis]

62. He is still going!?

:toast:

[Dookus]

65. yup!

over 7.5 hours now....

[CWebster]

67. Yep

I never heard of this Senator.
He must've reached his saturation limit and wasn't gonna take it anymore.
He is somewhat soft-spoken and gentle but he is on fire right now as we close in on 9pm.

[MoonRiver]

70. Give 'em hell Harry!

:kick:

[Langis]

71. Does this happen very often?

Harry Reid is the man, he is like the energizer bunny.

[Tatiana]

72. No.

Only when Byrd really gets pissed off.

[knight_of_the_star]

75. Which

Seems to have been happening more often than not lately.

[knight_of_the_star]

73. He's just going!

They are going to need to send in some people to catch him after he's done though, doing something like that MUST be exhausting.

[MoonRiver]

74. Senate Dems need to have a non-stop round of filibuster speakers,

relieving each other and presenting neverending new and incriminating evidence against BFEE, 24/7. That's my dream Dem governmental agenda. Harry Reid and all like minded patriots,
:grouphug:

[knight_of_the_star]

76. That would be SWEET!

Start with Byrd, then Kennedy, then Boxer, then Kerry, then Reid, and so on and so forth, its just too good to pass up!

[lysergik]

77. That would rock, especially through the Repukes supposed 30hr "Debate"

n/t

[CivilRightsNow]

78. Some filibuster history.

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Wayne_Morse_Sets_Filibuster_Record.htm