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Government shutdown: Harry Reid spearheads Democratic strategy (refuse to negotiate)
Politico ^ | Sept 29, 2013 | Manu Raju and Burgess Everett

Posted on 09/29/2013 9:07:01 PM PDT by Innovative

When the president considered sitting down with the four congressional leaders in the White House ahead of the deadline to avert a government shutdown, Reid privately urged Obama to call off the meeting, according to several people familiar with the situation. Reid believed that it would amount to nothing more than a photo-op that would give the false impression that a serious negotiation was occurring, even warning he wouldn’t attend such a session. Obama scrapped it.

As Washington barrels forward to the first government shutdown in 17 years on Tuesday, the wily Reid has taken the lead role in pushing a hardball Democratic legislative strategy that can be summed up like this: Make the Republicans cave.

(Excerpt) Read more at dyn.politico.com ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: governmentshutdown; govtshutdown; harryreid; obama; obamacare
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To: nathanbedford

I do not think your impressions are mistaken. There has been a definite, though subtle, change. The 39R/36D poll (assigning “blame”), if true, is devastating to the Democrats strategy. They need this to be a 30 point split (which, IIRC, was roughly what it was pre-95 shutdown), not a 3 point split. In my opinion, what you are seeing is fear. Fear that the opposition to ObamaCare (which resulted in the loss of “Ted Kennedy’s” seat — thus showing how powerful that opposition can be) hasn’t weakened at all. Fear that, as you point out, the Republicans are positioned such that it is actually difficult to blame them for a shutdown. Fear that they are entering into an off-year, not general, election. Fear, perhaps, of internal polling.

And most importantly, and most glaringly, fear of Ted Cruz.


21 posted on 09/29/2013 11:01:24 PM PDT by jjsheridan5
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To: Fee

Well, sitting behind a Maginot line with all the guns pointing in the wrong direction is all that the Republican leadership is offering.


22 posted on 09/29/2013 11:09:29 PM PDT by RobbyS (quotes)
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To: Fee

“Terrain is this, the MSM will make sure the GOP gets blame for the gov shutdown.”

And???

Who gives a flying rat’s behind what the MSM says? Low information voters? The same voters who always vote democrap anyway??

First, this is not a government “shutdown”. MSM LIE #1.

Second, CrummieCare is not being “defunded”. It’s being blocked from funding because it hasn’t been apportioned yet. MSM LIE #2.

Third, mid-term voters are usually FOR reduced government spending, and they swing the vote when they GET OUT AND VOTE. Wheeny spineless GOP candidates lost 2012 elections because voters stayed home. Voters didn’t vote because their grievances landed on deaf ears. MSM LIE #3.

Fourth, it’s the independents that’ll swing this vote, chief. We’re damned tired of Congress ignoring We the People. We WILL vote for anyone with a spine who will take our message to the floor and do what we ask them to do, regardless of what the lameo commie pinko bastard media spews. They will do as they always do...spinning LIE #2,098,098,109,820,012.

You’re still playing Beltway Basketball like Congress and the poor excuse of a government does. The voters, the People of this STILL great nation, really want us to be playing Rugby instead. Americans love conviction and they eat conflict up with a spoon. They respect it, and that’s what this country needs, not some hot potato bullcrap footsie game played by whimps fearing that they might lose their “hollywood b-bawl image”.

Game on.


23 posted on 09/29/2013 11:18:27 PM PDT by Up Yours Marxists
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To: Innovative

Reid is right. The GOP will cave. McConnell is used to bending over on behalf of the GOP-e. McCain is used to betraying his allies from his years as a VietCong operative. Lindsey Graham is used to doing whatever the Left tells him to, so as to avoid “those photos” of his bathhouse activities from being released. We have perhaps the worst group of traitors that has ever existed in a deliberative body since Ancient Rome.


24 posted on 09/29/2013 11:24:09 PM PDT by montag813 (NO AMNESTY * ENFORCE THE LAW * http://StandWithArizona.com)
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To: Up Yours Marxists

You and I know the details, but besides us we need a lot more allies to defeat Obamacare. Passions alone will not win it, being tactically astute will. IMHO if the CR was passed without attachments, the Dems cannot distract the problems with Obamacare and the MSM has no cover story to use. Obamacare will be in big trouble in the 2014 election because the GOP will have today till 2014 to harp about it and expose the horror stories.
Now if we want to prove a point by shutting gov down, you just handed the Dems a crisis to detract public attention while the willing MSM gladly pound the GOP. Sen Reid thinks this is what will happen and based on his slow deliberate reaction he is confident of its outcome. If the GOP is confident otherwise, and the MSM is a nonfactor, why are they burning the midnight oil desperately getting a bill out to the Senate? How people behave gives me more info then what they say. Right now the Dems are confident of the outcome of this fight then the GOP.


25 posted on 09/29/2013 11:32:29 PM PDT by Fee
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To: Innovative
AND THIS JUST IN FROM THE 'MORE TO THE POINT' DEPT

'If the Govt Shuts Down, Does That Mean Congress Finally Won't Get Paid for the Job They Haven't Been Doing Anyway?'

'JUS AKSIN'



YEW BETTER PAY ME MY MONEY, YO

26 posted on 09/29/2013 11:38:08 PM PDT by jimsin
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To: nathanbedford
Not to speak of the fact that Bammy is not following the Law of the Land by issuing all sorts of dicktatorial changes (exemptions) willy-nilly.

Where is McConnell who should be lambasting and excoriating Dingy several times a day on the various topics?

27 posted on 09/29/2013 11:45:49 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Innovative

Yep, I’m already hearing it on the news stations, it’s the Republican’s fault.


28 posted on 09/29/2013 11:55:21 PM PDT by 38special (For real, y'all.)
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To: Innovative

bump


29 posted on 09/30/2013 2:22:52 AM PDT by maine-iac7 (Christian is as Christian does - by their fruits)
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To: Innovative

Democrats: The Party of ‘No!’


30 posted on 09/30/2013 2:29:08 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: Innovative

From the first paragraph, it appears the DEMOCRATS are the ones who aren’t united on strategy. Of course, you won’t hear that from the media...instead, we hear about the “wily” Reid.


31 posted on 09/30/2013 2:41:56 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper
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To: nathanbedford

[I detected a subtle change among the talking heads this Sunday as compared to last Sunday. In the discussion among the pundits one week ago there was derision directed toward the Republicans and it continued this week but less vehement, less cocksure than the previous week.]

I agree. And the above story in the left-leaning Politico is a warning to Reid and Senate Democrats that their tactics could backfire.


32 posted on 09/30/2013 2:45:27 AM PDT by Brad from Tennessee (A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.)
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To: Innovative
Make the Republicans cave.

Make them cave? The Republicans are master Spelunkers.

33 posted on 09/30/2013 2:53:42 AM PDT by Starstruck (If my reply offends, you probably don't understand sarcasm or criticism...or do.)
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To: Innovative

The GOPers should say:

The same people who told you Obamacare would allow you to keep your insurance plan and doctor, and that your costs for health care would go down $2,500 a year, are the same people who are now telling you that the Republicans are to blame for shutting the government down.

Are you going to believe more of their lies, or are you going to think for yourself?


34 posted on 09/30/2013 3:14:01 AM PDT by savedbygrace (But God!)
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To: Innovative
When the president considered sitting down with the four congressional leaders in the White House ahead of the deadline to avert a government shutdown, Reid privately urged Obama to call off the meeting, according to several people familiar with the situation.

Many have the feeling that this could backfire on the Democrats big time! Just as the Democrats impose failed policies time and again, thinking that, this time, the failed policy will work!

The previous government shutdown was engineered by the Democrats, but the Republicans were blamed. This Democrat strategy will not work today because even the low information voter knows more about the issues.

The Democrats are not interested in your health care; they are interested in your freedom.

35 posted on 09/30/2013 3:37:54 AM PDT by olezip (Time obliterates the fictions of opinion and confirms the decisions of nature. ~ Cicero)
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To: missnry

There’s no winning with the old media.


36 posted on 09/30/2013 3:46:13 AM PDT by SC_Pete
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To: SC_Pete

Shut down the gubmint. The real problem with doing so like was done in the sequester, there will be those who will be MADE TO SUFFER all because of a power struggle between odumbo, the demodummies and the repubs.

There are major reasons Reid and the Senate want the gubmint shutdown other than calling the Repubs bluff.


37 posted on 09/30/2013 4:00:38 AM PDT by DaveA37
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To: Kevin in California

Hume isn’t the face of ABC now. Only in the past. That face is Charles Gibson. The face of FOX is Shep Smith.


38 posted on 09/30/2013 4:05:49 AM PDT by txrangerette ("...hold to the truth; speak without fear." (Glenn Beck))
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To: Innovative

“Republicans need to make sure to let everyone know that it’s the Dems who refuse to negotiate and hold the Dems responsible for the government shutdown. “

Great idea. How?


39 posted on 09/30/2013 4:43:09 AM PDT by expat1000
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To: Innovative; All

MAKE DC LISTEN: TELL YOUR SENATORS !

State Senator Party Phone
AK Mark Begich D (202) 224-3004
AK Lisa Murkowski R (202) 224-6665
AL Jeff Sessions R (202) 224-4124
AL Richard C. Shelby R (202) 224-5744
AR John Boozman R (202) 224-4843
AR Mark L. Pryor D (202) 224-2353
AZ Jeff Flake R (202) 224-4521
AZ John McCain R (202) 224-2235
CA Barbara Boxer D (202) 224-3553
CA Dianne Feinstein D (202) 224-3841
CO Michael F. Bennet D (202) 224-5852
CO Mark Udall D (202) 224-5941
CT Richard Blumenthal D (202) 224-2823
CT Christopher Murphy D (202) 224-4041
DE Thomas R. Carper D (202) 224-2441
DE Christopher A. Coons D (202) 224-5042
FL Bill Nelson D (202) 224-5274
FL Marco Rubio R (202) 224-3041
GA Saxby Chambliss R (202) 224-3521
GA Johnny Isakson R (202) 224-3643
HI Mazie K. Hirono D (202) 224-6361
HI Brian Schatz D (202) 224-3934
IA Chuck Grassley R (202) 224-3744
IA Tom Harkin D (202) 224-3254
ID Mike Crapo R (202) 224-6142
ID James E. Risch R (202) 224-2752
IL Richard J. Durbin D (202) 224-2152
IL Mark Kirk R (202) 224-2854
IN Daniel Coats R (202) 224-5623
IN Joe Donnelly D (202) 224-4814
KS Jerry Moran R (202) 224-6521
KS Pat Roberts R (202) 224-4774
KY Mitch McConnell R (202) 224-2541
KY Rand Paul R (202) 224-4343
LA Mary L. Landrieu D (202) 224-5824
LA David Vitter R (202) 224-4623
MA Edward Markey D (202) 224-2742
MA Elizabeth Warren D (202) 224-4543
MD Benjamin L. Cardin D (202) 224-4524
MD Barbara A. Mikulski D (202) 224-4654
ME Susan M. Collins R (202) 224-2523
ME Angus S. King I (202) 224-5344
MI Carl Levin D (202) 224-6221
MI Debbie Stabenow D (202) 224-4822
MN Al Franken D (202) 224-5641
MN Amy Klobuchar D (202) 224-3244
MO Roy Blunt R (202) 224-5721
MO Claire McCaskill D (202) 224-6154
MS Thad Cochran R (202) 224-5054
MS Roger F. Wicker R (202) 224-6253
MT Max Baucus D (202) 224-2651
MT Jon Tester D (202) 224-2644
NC Richard Burr R (202) 224-3154
NC Kay R. Hagan D (202) 224-6342
ND Heidi Heitkamp D (202) 224-2043
ND John Hoeven R (202) 224-2551
NE Deb Fischer R (202) 224-6551
NE Mike Johanns R (202) 224-4224
NH Kelly Ayotte R (202) 224-3324
NH Jeanne Shaheen D (202) 224-2841
NJ Jeff Chiesa R (202) 224-3224
NJ Robert Menendez D (202) 224-4744
NM Martin Heinrich D (202) 224-5521
NM Tom Udall D (202) 224-6621
NV Dean Heller R (202) 224-6244
NV Harry Reid D (202) 224-3542
NY Kirsten E. Gillibrand D (202) 224-4451
NY Charles E. Schumer D (202) 224-6542
OH Sherrod Brown D (202) 224-2315
OH Rob Portman R (202) 224-3353
OK Tom Coburn R (202) 224-5754
OK James M. Inhofe R (202) 224-4721
OR Jeff Merkley D (202) 224-3753
OR Ron Wyden D (202) 224-5244
PA Robert P. Casey D (202) 224-6324
PA Patrick J. Toomey R (202) 224-4254
RI Jack Reed D (202) 224-4642
RI Sheldon Whitehouse D (202) 224-2921
SC Lindsey Graham R (202) 224-5972
SC Tim Scott R (202) 224-6121
SD Tim Johnson D (202) 224-5842
SD John Thune R (202) 224-2321
TN Lamar Alexander R (202) 224-4944
TN Bob Corker R (202) 224-3344
TX John Cornyn R (202) 224-2934
UT Orrin G. Hatch R (202) 224-5251
UT Mike Lee R (202) 224-5444
VA Tim Kaine D (202) 224-4024
VA Mark R. Warner D (202) 224-2023
VT Patrick J. Leahy D (202) 224-4242
VT Bernard Sanders I (202) 224-5141
WA Maria Cantwell D (202) 224-3441
WA Patty Murray D (202) 224-2621
WI Tammy Baldwin D (202) 224-5653
WI Ron Johnson R (202) 224-5323
WV Joe Manchin D (202) 224-3954
WV John D. Rockefeller D (202) 224-6472
WY John Barrasso R (202) 224-6441
WY Michael B. Enzi R (202) 224-3424

Now that we have your attention, you sorry US Senators, keep in mind that we will replace you with those who will gladly correct your errors - - - .

So, scrub and clean by 2014 !

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick —————

- See more at: http://tedcruzforsenate.org/tell-your-senators-to-oppose-cloture-on-h-j-res-59/#sthash.CvqYzXvd.s4d7EOIg.dpuf
_______________________

US SENATE GOP DEAD WEIGHT LIST LOYAL TO OBAMA

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
John Barrasso (R-WY)

John Hoeven (R-ND)
Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
John Boozman (R-AR)
Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Richard Burr (R-NC)
Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Jeff Chiesa (R-NJ)

John McCain (R-AZ)
Dan Coats (R-IN)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK)

Thad Cochran (R-MS)
John Thune (R-SD)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Bob Corker (R-TN)

Not Voting:

Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Jeff Flake (R-AZ)


40 posted on 09/30/2013 5:24:15 AM PDT by Graewoulf (Traitor John Roberts' Marxist Obama'care' Insurance violates U.S. Constitution AND Anti-Trust Law.)
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