Senate Republicans: Filibuster everything to win in November?

[babylonsister]

Question: Did Dems filibuster everything in 2006? This article insinuates that.

Senate Republicans: Filibuster everything to win in November?
Senate tied up in knots with filibusters

By David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers



WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans are using the filibuster to limit and often derail Democrats' initiatives, paralyzing the Senate and making it nearly impossible to accomplish even the most routine matters.

The filibuster strategy "makes the Senate dysfunctional," said Mark Strand, the president of the Congressional Institute, a nonpartisan research group. That, in turn, blocks the Obama administration's agenda, but it also sours public opinion on Washington, with polls showing clear public disdain for Congress in particular. Republicans think voters will reward them for that in November.

However disruptive it is to governance, their extensive use of the filibuster — extended debate to block a decisive vote — could prove to be a valuable campaign asset this fall. Democrats used similar tactics in 2006 and won enough seats to gain a Senate majority. Now Republicans hope it's their turn.

Since Barack Obama became president nearly 13 months ago, Republicans have made it clear that 60 votes — the number needed to cut off debate in the 100-member Senate — are required to pass not only major Democratic programs, but also many routine proposals. (Democrats controlled 60 Senate seats from July until last week, when Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., was sworn in.)

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/84487.html

[spanone]

1. have you heard the word 'obstructionists' used by our illustrious media? i have not

and will not.

remember how the media pummeled the democrats on the 'UP OR DOWN VOTE' 'NUCLEAR OPTION'

don't hear a peep about that kinda stuff now, odd, eh?

[niceypoo]

2. Maybe if Obama sings Kumbaya to them enough times

Love and understanding will overcome their sociopathic ways, causing them to tiptoe through the legislative tulips with the Democrats for the good of the American people.

[babylonsister]

3. Cute. So this is all Obama's fault? Of course it is! nt

[niceypoo]

4. Not all of it, Reid and company share the blame

But until Obama abandons his futile courting of the GOP, we are guaranteed a path to nowhere.

[babylonsister]

5. Tell that to the majority of Americans who want bipartisanship.

http://documents.nytimes.com/new-york-times-cbs-news-poll/page/20#p=21

[niceypoo]

7. Oh bullshit

There is no bipartisanship with these sociopaths and everybody knows it. Anyone who actually believes we can have bipartisanship with these people plays a fools game.

There will be no progress as long as it continues.

[babylonsister]

8. We know that, but the public isn't paying attention. So I have no

problem with Obama publicly extending an olive branch; then maybe the public will understand who is not cooperating.

[niceypoo]

10. The public is paying attention

The public knows who isnt cooperating, read the poll. Futile gestures = futile results.

[subterranean]

6. It plays into their theme that "government doesn't work."

Also, if they can block the Democrats from getting anything done, it's likely to dampen voter turnout, and low turnout tends to favor their side. They think the obstructionism worked for them in Massachusetts, so they're not going to stop now.

[Change Happens]

9. Why not? it has worked so far...We have zero points on the board

and time is running out...