MILLER: Harry Reid goes nuclear

The Washington Times ^ | November 27, 2012 | Emily Miller

[jazusamo]

Democrat’s power grab takes away minority Republicans’ rights

Forget about bipartisanship; Harry Reid has decided there’s no option that goes too far if it means diluting the influence of Republicans. The Senate majority leader plans to break with long-standing tradition in January by rewriting the chamber’s rules to silence the Republican minority. It’s a shortsighted maneuver, because it means Democrats will have no input in the legislative process when they find themselves out of power in the future.

The hostilities spilled into the open on Monday and Tuesday with a rare, heated series of floor debates between Mr. Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell over filibuster reform. The Republican leader said on the floor Tuesday, “Here we are with this explosive nuclear option being thrown into the chamber at a time when we ought to be turning the election off and trying to come together to solve the biggest problem … the fiscal cliff and the nation’s seemingly hopeless deficit and debt situation.”

Mr. Reid, leader of the least productive Senate session ever, claims his changes will make the body more “efficient.” For the first time in history, the Democratic leader wants to change the rules with a simple majority vote instead of the currently required two-thirds supermajority. This is referred to as the “nuclear option” because it empowers the majority to alter at whim and without bipartisan support the way the Senate runs.

[dforest]

FUHRIHYDSYMF

[molson209]

I think Harry Reid would rather die before he would let the Senate actually do something ,how did so much power get in the hands of Senate Majority Leader

[JRandomFreeper]

Good thing that can't happen here.

Wait.... what?

/johnny

[Steely Tom]

Reid and his claque know that they have the national media on their side. When it comes time for payback, the bleating billy-goats of the MSM will set loose a chorus of hysterical braying... "bring back the filibuster, protect the rights of the minority!"

The GOP will cave at that time, letting the Democrats have back what they took away.

For now, however, the MSM couldn't care less about the "rights of the minority."

[jazusamo]

In my view Dingy Harry is a twerp with way too much power and wants more, much like Obama.

[jazusamo]

I’ve no doubt you’re correct and believe it’s why Dingy Harry is doing this.

[miele man]

Read must think the Democrats will never again lose the majority in the Senate.

[sauropod]

I got the 1st 4 initials .. what’s the rest mean?

[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon or click above and donate or become a monthly donor!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Truthfully, Reid does have a technical point. It is far too easy for individual senators to halt the business of the senate.

But the Republicans must be very clear to the Democrats, and mean it, that if they vote with Harry on this, then the Republicans *will* do the same when they control the senate.

This means stripping the minority of power and the ability to deliberate.

If it still looks like the Democrats are going to support Harry, then the Republicans need to provide them a list of government programs that will be chopped, that they will be powerless to inhibit or stop.

One after the other, with minimal debate, no amendments, and no other parlimentarianism to take the edge off.

It will scare the Democrat senators silly, because they’ve got far more to lose.

[Gritty]

Read must think the Democrats will never again lose the majority in the Senate.

In the extremely unlikely event the hapless GOP ever gets back a majority, don't worry... they will reinstate the rule. They simply aren't into hardball.

[NathanR]

FUHRIHYDSYMF

F.U. Harry Reid. I Hope You Die of Syphilis You M.F

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

if Harry Reid won’t let the Senate do anything - why not leave it like that then for awhile - at least they not breaking anything any further

[alloysteel]

A concerted effort by the Democrat majority is what put Harry Reid in as Majority Leader of the US Senate.

The entire Senate Democrat caucus is in on the deal, and they have become essentially so corrupt, they will go along with almost anything that Senator Palpatine insists upon.

This is a very bad state of affairs for the nation as a whole, and cannot be beneficial even to the perverted objectives of the Current Occupant of the White Hut. Even Valerie Jarrett must be somewhat unnerved while watching the antics of Senator Palpatine.

Evil and deranged is not a good combination.

[annieokie]

He took it, without resistance, not even from those of his own party who must know he is evil.

[Iron Munro]

It’s a shortsighted maneuver, because it means Democrats will have no input in the legislative process when they find themselves out of power in the future.

Now that the 'rats have perfected their vote fraud techniques they don't figure they will ever be in the minority again.

[JRandomFreeper]

It is far too easy for individual senators to halt the business of the senate.

Horsecrap.

You CAN'T make it too difficult for government to operate. The only time I sleep well is when they are out of session.

Trying to get the GOP to stand up and show a spine? LOL! Pass me the bong. I need some of what you are smoking.

Next you'll tell me that the pubbies can stop a bunch of crap because they hold the House.

Ain't gonna happen.

/johnny

[slorunner]

Reid is right.

After 50 years of media brainwashing and public school indoctrination the Chicago mob rules.

The people’s republic is here.

[plain talk]

The Senate majority leader plans to break with long-standing tradition in January by rewriting the chamber’s rules to silence the Republican minority. It’s a shortsighted maneuver, because it means Democrats will have no input in the legislative process when they find themselves out of power in the future.

Wrong. The dems don't expect to ever be the minority in the Senate again. They are preparing for 'Game Over'.