Posted on 02/16/2005 1:28:09 PM PST by RWR8189
White House Lobbyists Estimate a Third of Opposition Will Provide Occasional Support
WASHINGTON -- From the tone in the capital lately, you might think President Bush couldn't expect support from any Democrat in Congress.
In the past few days, the Democratic Party made Bush critic Howard Dean its chairman, and top House Democratic tax writer, Rep. Charles Rangel, pronounced the president's Social Security plan "dead." Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid recently upbraided the White House for personally attacking him through the Republican National Committee.
But in fact there are some Democrats who may yet help Mr. Bush accomplish parts of his agenda. "We spend a lot of time trying to understand what makes these people tick," says a senior White House official -- and the administration's efficiency in capitalizing on that will be critical to Mr. Bush's second-term success.
The pool of potential collaborators is smaller than it was. Mr. Bush's closest Democratic ally, Sen. Zell Miller of Georgia, has retired. Gone as well are several who cast crucial votes for Mr. Bush's first-term tax cuts: Sens. Max Cleland of Georgia, Jean Carnahan of Missouri, Robert Torricelli of New Jersey and John Breaux of Louisiana.
Still, White House lobbyists estimate that as many as a third of the 44 Democratic senators will provide occasional assistance on issues such as energy, judicial nominations, tax-code overhaul and perhaps even Social Security. Since Republicans need 60 votes to overcome Democratic filibusters, and have just 55 of their own, winning converts isn't optional
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
We haven't found anything yet, Sir!
Awww...just get out the hairbrush like Mama used to do and beat them severely about the head...they'll come around.
This shouldn't take long!
McCain is not terrible for a Democrat, except when pandering to the TV.
/yes, I know./
Dubya planted a big ole wet juicy one on Joe Lieberman after the SOTU speech, so I suppose Joe is friendly.
Watch your back, Dubya
I wonder how much noise about pulling the JFK out of Mayport is designed to encourage Bill Nelson to cozy up...
Otherwise known as trolling for moderates
On foreign policy/national security and the occasional social issue, yes. On anything else domestic, doubt it.
he is probably using a "lice" comb by now..........
He's still wasting his time. He did this with the education bill and fat ted. A total waste of time. Zell Miller is gone. There are no friendly socialist democrats. They are all enemies of the Republic. Pure, plain and simple. Howard Dean and I have a one thing in common. He hates republicans and I hate Dean and all the democrats. So, we are even.
Then discusses strategy with Rove while picking lice from the comb...
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