Interim Minnesota Senator Stays Independent

The Washington Post ^ | November 11, 2002 | Alan Fram

[Paladin2b]

WASHINGTON – Interim Minnesota Sen. Dean Barkley announced Monday he will be an independent during his brief stay in Congress, enabling Democrats to remain in control when the Senate begins a postelection session this week.

As a result of Barkley's decision, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., will continue in that post when the Senate is gaveled into session Tuesday. That means Daschle can decide what bills the Senate debates during the so-called lame-duck meetings of the current Congress, which are expected to run for at least a week.

EXCERPT OF ARTICLE

[Paladin2b]

I suppose we can let the little Ventura henchman pretend to be a Big Man for two months, but all the same, what a weasel to do this after the voters have made their preference known...

[TomGuy]

As soon as the Talent (R-MO) election is certified, he puts the Republicans in the majority. That should occur this or next week. So Barkley (I-MN) could become quickly irrelevant. However, rumor is that Lott is playing nicey nicey to Daschle and will not assume leadership until January.

Too bad Lott's majority leader position isn't challenged by some more worthy Republican.

[billorites]

He was appointed by an Independent Governor.

Barkely's history in politics is as an Independent, unaligned with Dems or Repubs.

We shouldn't be amazed when someone does what they said they would do.

That should be a good thing.

[McGavin999]

Hey, it's fine. I understand that he wants his name on the Homeland Security Bill (probably an ego thing, can't blame him) and I understand that he might "retire" early so Norm can get seniority in order to get a committee assignment. The dems would just drag their feet anyway. They can take up to 60 days before reorganizing.

[Guillermo]

Will this I Senator qualify for the Senate pension?

[D-fendr]

Did he say if given the choice he'd pick the democrats for control of the senate?

[Defiant]

The issue is not whether he will be "Independent". Of course he will. The issue is whether he will vote to install Daschle as majority leader or whether he will abstain, or vote for himself or vote for Lott. If he abstains, votes for someone other than Daschle or Lott, or votes for himself, the vote is 48 to 49, and the GOP has the majority. He has to vote for Daschle, or Daschle loses the majority.

Now, as soon as Talent is installed, the GOP has 50 votes, with Cheney as the tiebreaker, and then this distinguished car wash operator will be irrelevant.

That is, unless Trent Lott has made a deal with Daschle that lets Daschle retain power for the lame duck session (in that case. I would not be surprised if this happens, in which case we can call it the "Lame Brain Session".

[Morgan's Raider]

That is, unless Trent Lott has made a deal with Daschle that lets Daschle retain power for the lame duck session (in that case. I would not be surprised if this happens, in which case we can call it the "Lame Brain Session".

Vacant Lott reminds me of the pledge to the uppity fraternity in Animal House.

WHACK! "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

[Defiant]

Yup, Daschle is doing the paddling. That makes McAuliffe the Neidermeyer. So, is Dean Wormer really Janet Reno, putting those bad Republicans on double secret probation?

[El Gato]

If he abstains, votes for someone other than Daschle or Lott, or votes for himself, the vote is 48 to 49,

?? I don't think so, it was 50-49-1, with the 1 being the turncoat from Vermont who voted with the Dims. It is now 49-49-2 but with the 1 of two voting for little Tommy it will be 50-49 and one not counting. giving Tommy a little longer to obsctruct the nation's business.

unless Trent Lott has made a deal with Daschle that lets Daschle retain power for the lame duck session (in that case. I would not be surprised if this happens, in which case we can call it the "Lame Brain Session".

Trent, "can't we all just get along" Lott has reportedly made just such a "deal" with little Tommy.

[Defiant]

?? I don't think so, it was 50-49-1, with the 1 being the turncoat from Vermont who voted with the Dims. It is now 49-49-2

You are correct. So if Barker votes with the GOP on setting up the leadership, it is 50-50, and Cheney breaks the tie. Any other vote by Barkley is a vote for Daschle continuing as leader. At least this exposes the "Reform" party as being Democrat in leaning. People don't realize this enough--Perot gave us 2 terms of Clinton. The only reform we got was to our morality and our military.

Once Talent is seated, this should be moot. Barkley is apparently not smart enough to realize his only leverage is for another week or so, and he needs to take advantage of it.