It is better to be negotiating with our own conservatives (+ Specter) than Repub conservatives

[CTLawGuy]

Once Franken is FINALLY seated, we will be in a situation where we will be negotiating with ourselves in the senate over legislation-since we will have 60 seats-rather than with republicans. It will still require compromise, but this compromise will be markedly better than before.

As annoying as people like Bayh, Lieberman, and now Specter are, (and they will NOT be automatic votes for our agenda) dealing with them is much better than trying to negotiate with actual Rs because:

1. These cons won't be subject to threats or cajoling by McConnell or other repug leaders.
2. They won't be worried about whether the bill voted upon will benefit Dems at the expense of Rs, since they are not Rs themselves.
3. They don't have to worry about a Club for Greed nutjob instituting a primary challenge.
4. They have no interest in embarassing the Dem party so they will act in good faith.

The two stumbling blocks will be (1) their need to appear "moderate" to their own more conservative electorate and (2) their own ideological and personal preferences as to legislation. They will at least act in good faith and will be easier to negotiate with than the Rs will.

[drm604]

1. Well said. K&R

[LSparkle]

2. Amen! And this is proof positive that we have a "big tent" ...

Will the last Rethug please turn out the light --
the Grand Old Party is over.

[Beetwasher]

3. And Don't Forget There Are STILL A Couple Of Moderate Repubs Who Do And Will Cross Over As Well

Collins, Snowe and sometimes Lugar will still cross over depending on the issue.

[w4rma]

4. Those three haven't done Jack, yet. (nt)

[Enrique]

5. well said

k & r

[Two Americas]

6. public pressure

The effective course of action is always to bring public pressure to bear on the elected representatives.

There is no "conservative electorate." That is a myth.

There is no "ideology" involved.

The politicians don't care about the imaginary Team Blue versus Team Red circus that people here are so obsessed with.


...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

7. That was always my argument. Bayh's Gang of 15 won't make Specter's defection any better

for the Dems.

[Laelth]

8. True. I still want Lieberman out of the Senate, however. n/t

:dem:

-Laelth

[yowzayowzayowza]

9. Judges should be easier to get to a vote as well. n/t