Harry Reid’s nuclear blunder

Washington Post ^ | October 7, 2011 | Marc A. Thiessen

[Kaslin]

On Thursday night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered the so-called nuclear option — unilaterally changing Senate rules by a simple majority vote to stop the minority from forcing votes on uncomfortable amendments. It’s the same tactic the majority would use to undercut the minority’s ability to filibuster. And that’s why it’s called “nuclear” — it dramatically alters the balance of power between the majority and minority. It is not a step to be taken lightly.

What great matter drove Reid to push the nuclear button? Apparently Republican leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) was threatening to force a vote on the original version of President Obama’s jobs bill, to show how few Democrats were willing to support it. In other words, Reid invoked the nuclear option to avoid a political embarrassment for his party

Recall that in 2005, Republicans contemplated invoking the nuclear option over a matter of substance — to stop Democrats from using filibusters to delay judicial confirmations. Before that crisis was defused, one Democratic senator railed against the GOP plan as an attempt to trample the rights of the minority, calling it a violation of “the constitutional principles of checks and balances” and declaring, “If there were ever an example of an abuse of power, this is it. The filibuster is the last check we have against the abuse of power in Washington.”

The senator’s name? Harry Reid.

[FLCowboy,]

They won't.

The GOP Majority Leader will be easily cajoled into changing the rule back as the first order of business.

-PJ

The Dems will change it back themselves during the lame duck session, forcing the Republicans to face the media if they want to change it.

[Twotone]

"Reid’s decision could have immediate consequences. During the 2005 standoff, Reid warned that Democrats would bring the Senate to a halt if Republicans pulled the nuclear trigger. In a letter to then-Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Reid declared ominously: “The Senate conducts most of its business by cooperation and consent. The minority provides that consent with the expectation that the courtesies it extends to the majority will be met with respect for minority rights. And no Senate right is more fundamental than the right to debate. Should the majority choose to break the rules that give us that right, the majority should not expect to receive cooperation from the minority in the conduct of Senate business. . . . [W]e will be reluctant to enter into any consent agreement that facilitates Senate activities, even on routine matters. . . . We would decline to provide such cooperation in the future if you implement the nuclear option.” _______________ I don't think Mark Thiessen gets the strategy here. Harry Reid fully expects the Republicans to do exactly as he threatened back in 2005. And with the media on their side to not explain the hypocrisy of what Reid just did, the Republicans will actually BE obstructionist & fulfill the bogus accusations that Obama has been lodging against them, and he can continue his Harry Trumanesque campaign against the 'do nothing congress'.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Republicans in DC are out looking for their gonads with both hands and a mirror and coming up empty handed, IMO. Spineless, gutless eunuchs one and all.

[szweig]

Always remember - the Federation vowed to never create or implement a cloaking device. Pubbies = Federation — Demonrats = Klingons/Romulans. Now there is an analogy anyone can use...Stevie666

[Hojczyk]

Mittens can work with the Rats

[dennisw]

dittos plus the LA Times highlighted crooked land deals by him in a five part series about 5 years ago. All his sons are lawyers and one would presume “connected” lawyers like the old man

[EQAndyBuzz]

The plan by the rats is to no longer have elections.

Been their plan since Wilson. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.

Red Phone for Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham ...

Senator Ried from Nevada is on the line ... waiting for YOUR apology ... /sarcasm-off


.

[Patton@Bastogne]

.

Red Phone for Senators John McCain and Lindsay Graham ...

Senator Reid from Nevada is on the line ... waiting for YOUR apology ... /sarcasm-off


.

[goat granny]

You are so right...there has never been a republican leader in the senate with any brass ones...

[xzins]

I approve of using the nuclear option. I absolutely despise the filibuster. It is used to undermine the clear intention of the US Constitution, and it is used to prevent dangerous decisions from being easily over-ridden.

For example, now that we can over-ride the unofficial 60-vote rule in the US Senate, ObamaCare can be changed with a simple majority vote.

That is HUGE. And Series.

[SES1066]

And with the media on their side to not explain the hypocrisy of what Reid just did, the Republicans will actually BE obstructionist & fulfill the bogus accusations that Obama has been lodging against them, and he can continue his Harry Trumanesque campaign against the 'do nothing congress'.

I think and HOPE you are wrong. My basis is the fact that the MSMedia is no longer sole source as it was under Clinton (last 2-term Dem) and Obama really has nothing left. Truman in 1948 still had his WW2 victory, a post-war recession and the old FDR coalition that had not seen a Republican in the Presidency for 16 years.

Obama has 3 years of unfulfilled hope leaving us with negative change. Even his media natural allies cannot help but see the naked emperor and it makes good news stories which is their lifeblood.

We will have all of our work cut out for us in 2012 but we have a chance for a 60 seat Senate, stronger majority House and NObama in the WH! It won't be paradise but we do have our best chance to restore OUR CIVIL RIGHTS!!!