Harry Reid’s Nuclear Blunder

Wa Po ^ | 10/8/11 | Marc A. Thiesson

[Lmo56]

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.

When Reid was in the minority, the nuclear option was an “abuse of power.” Now that he’s in the majority, it’s simply business as usual.

[Lmo56]

Good Op-Ed ...

[Yardstick]

This is a filibuster-busting precedent that a Republican majority could use to overcome Democratic opposition on any number of issues — from taxes and spending to revising the debt-limit deal, reversing defense spending cuts and even repealing Obamacare.

Well played, Harry!

[SERKIT]

Barry MUST cease the tired rhetoric of blaming Republicans for the do-nothing Congress. If Barry wants to run against a do-nothing Congress, he has just declared war on the Democrat-held, do-nothing Senate. Pass the popcorn, and don’t hold your breath looking for reporting of this on the MSM.

[InvisibleChurch]

well, it did make it to the WaPo

[skr]

All the Republican senators ought to quote Harry Reid every chance they get, on the Senate floor and off.

[antidemoncrat]

If the Dems lose the Senate in 2012 they will probably revoke the nuclear option in their lame duck session.

[Moorings]

Harry will play a different tune if the Repubs gain the majority. He knows that the Repubs don't have the b@lls to use this "precendent" to their advantage. Harry also knows that he will have Mcmaniac, the Maine sisters, Gramnesty and some others to play ball with him. This individuals will reach so far across the aisle, they will not be able to find their way back to the majority side of the aisle.

Harry is not dumb. He is very calculated. Everybody else who underestimates him is dumb.

[Mister Da]

If McConnell is Majority Leader in 2013, we can expect weak RINO leadership with every concession given to the Rats. It does no good to have the majority if the leadership is in collusion with the Rats. McConnell needs to be replaced as leader.

[parthian shot]

Your right Mr Da, McConnell was the best RINO friend that a Democrat ever had and Reid shafted him. I think we need to get rid of every last one of both parties, with the exception of some of the 2010 conservative group that was elected.

[Secret Agent Man]

Don’t worry, Harry will change the rule back the day before they lose power in the Senate.

Course hopefully our new senate majority leader will do the exact same thing and change it back. Harry will have 4 years to be in the bitch-slapped minority.

Hope our side has balls to use the power to fix things. Afraid too many don’t want to fix things.

[FatherFig1o155]

I taught my children not to hate anyone.

But this little man sure tests my convictions...

[Qwackertoo]

Yep, IF we gain the Senate, this will all be forgiven and forgotten.

[Moorings]

McConnell is not the best guy to lead the GOPers in the senate. He is weak and to compromising. He gives up to easily and too much. The lefties probably love him in that position.

My personal choice would be Jim DeMint. However, I don't think the GOP power brokers will let him into leadership.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Yah know I remember back in 2005 people were yelling about how if the Republicans used it then the Democrats would but if, by golly, we just played nice and gave them what they wanted why everything would be peachy.

Well, we didn't use it.

See what happened? Didn't gain us a blooming thing.

When you have a weapon and it is needed USE IT. Tucking it away does not gain you anything.

[Monorprise]

“”This is a filibuster-busting precedent that a Republican majority could use to overcome Democratic opposition on any number of issues — from taxes and spending to revising the debt-limit deal, reversing defense spending cuts and even repealing Obamacare.”

Well played, Harry!”

You would have though he would have pulled the trigger for something more significant, and never while the other-side control either the house or the presidency with which to make his plans useless.

But I guess undermining Obama’s whole reelection strategy is significant enough for him. Well at least this paves the way to a quick and painless repeal of Obamacare, among other things.

Sadly there is no going back, unless they want to change the rules again. If they do I would support a 10 senator filibuster. That is once we striped the Federal goverment down to barebones military defense.