I can’t suss out Harry Reid’s game plan on filibuster reform. He understandably would like to work out a deal with Mitch McConnell to streamline Senate procedure without having to use the so-called nuclear option of changing the rules with a mere majority of the votes. But he isn’t playing hardball. His threat isn’t much different from what he is trying to negotiate. Perhaps the explanation is that he has pushback from his own caucus, but I can’t figure out his negotiating strategy.
I think it is important that he not go nuclear unless he’s prepared to get the maximum advantage out of it. And, if he cuts a deal, he should cut a deal at least as good as the one Carl Levin and John McCain have been discussing.
I can’t figure out Harry Reid. Sometimes he’s this tough and savvy fighter and sometimes he’s this meek procedure guy. I understand reservations about doing away with the fillibuster altogether but I don’t understand why, for example, you wouldn’t want a talking fillibuster.
Reid just doesn’t really want the Senate to change.
What happened to Wyden’s plan?
Merkley’s plan.
Reid. Strategy on p. 260:
http://faculty.washington.edu/jwilker/353/353Assignments/Gold_Gupta_JLPP_article.pdf
Bonus is, the article was written by a Repub to lay the groundwork for when THEY were in the majority.
If the Dems wimp out YET AGAIN and don’t address the Filibuster – at least for confirming presidential nominees – fuck, I have no idea what the solution is. You can’t sit out elections because the American Nazi Party (GOP) is utterly evil. But the Democratic party frankly too often resembles a placebo party for progressive policies.
I think this is the key:
If Nancy Pelosi was the Speaker of the House then it would make sense to go nuclear and get stuff done, but when dealing with the entropic mess that is Boehner’s House there’s no real point in expending political capital on something that will yield limited results.
Looks like Harry is threatening to throw a knockout punch at the GOP: