Posted on 11/26/2006 3:57:20 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
For all of the dire warnings and pre-election commotion about the impact of a Democratic majority in Congress, the fact is that - now that it is upon us - it can do little or nothing but harass the administration.
There is no real danger of any legislative action emerging from this Congress. Yes, the president has a veto the Democrats cannot override, but nothing will ever make it as far as the desk at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., are just spinning their wheels.
In the Senate, there is no such thing as a majority. Ever since the elder Bush's administration, the filibuster has become routine. No longer reserved for civil-rights issues or for egregious legislation, it now is used to counter even motions for recess and adjournment. Members of the Senate are no longer subjected to the indignity of standing on their feet and reading a telephone book. Rather, the gentlemen's filibuster applies.
The majority leader phones the minority leader and asks if a filibuster is in effect. With his feet up on his desk, the Republican replies that it is and the Democrat, despite his majority, does not even think about bringing up his bill for consideration unless he has a good shot at the 60 votes required to shut off debate. In the Senate, 51 votes determine who gets the corner office, but to pass legislation, one needs 60.
In the House of Representatives, with its 435 members, the Republican Party needed a simple majority - 218 - to rule. The Democrats need considerably more. The normal rules of a mathematical majority do not take into account the fractious nature of the Democratic Party.
(Excerpt) Read more at vote.com ...
So this is one of the two times a day he is right?
This is Dick Morris in mid-air, about to complete the shark-jumping process.
The democrat who is usually right is Pat Cadell. He picked the last 3 election cycles dead on. This time he said the democrats would take the house and senate in a lot of close races but lose both in two years because the democrats are scary.
Dick Morris: Clinton puppet....
Really? I see no evidence of said veto power.
Unbelievable. Now they can phone in their opposition, god forbid they actually get on the floor and do something.
They're all so damn busy collecting cash they can't even have a good old fashioned fillabuster.
All of those judges were held up by phone calls not real action, way to go repubs.....squandered opportunities..
I wouldn't mind legislative inaction.
Say, how about some legislative 'shrinkage'?
I am not buying it, liberals crave power like a vampire craves necks to bite, there is no way they will let themselves by in even nominal power without doing something liberal.
Normally I like dick "The Toes" Morris's insights, in this case however, he is dead wrong.
He may be singing us a lullaby, trying to coo all of us into sleep.
But, but..we have Trent Lott to lead the filibusters, and solid George standing behind just waiting to use that veto power.
Oh God, if Morris says it'll be fine, we are so screwed. When, I aks you, have the Republicans ever responded in kind to the Democrats obstructionist techniques? What are the Vegas odds that the Rinos in the Senate will block anything?
Do the Repulican senators have the stones to stage a filibuster? That is the central question. I think McConnel might, but it's a wait and see situation.
He jumped the shark when he sucked the toe.
Taxes will rise when the the last taxcuts expire with or without a vote.
Will Bush be strong enough to veto a budget he doesn't like? Billy Clinton did.
Me neither. What we will get is capitulation.
"The democrat who is usually right is Pat Cadell. He picked the last 3 election cycles dead on. This time he said the democrats would take the house and senate in a lot of close races but lose both in two years because the democrats are scary."
I would like to read more of what Pat says do you have a link? he is very right on maybe fox should sign him up and get rid of Martin Frost.
Ooopsie.. someone forgot the < sarc > tag, right?
I don't have a link. I was watching him on election night and hoping he was wrong. Now I'm hoping he's right about the democrats losing in two years.
I like Pat. Dick Morris makes me want to take a long shower using Lava soap.
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