TPMDC
Judd Gregg Lays Out Maximally Obstructive GOP Game Plan On Health Care
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Share
Send to a friend!
If Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) gets his way, the dilatory tactics that have marked the early days of the Senate health care debate will grow more and more severe.
"We, the minority party, must use the tools we have under Senate rules to insist on a full, complete and fully informed debate on the health care legislation - as well as all legislation - coming before the Senate," Gregg wrote in a letter to Republican colleagues yesterday. "As laid out in the attached document, we have certain rights before measures are considered on the floor as well as certain rights during the actual consideration of measures. Every Republican senator should be familiar with the scope of these rights, which serve to protect our ability to speak on behalf of the millions of Americans who depend on us to be their voice during this historic debate."
Gregg says Republicans should be prepared to filibuster every motion, "with the exception of Conference Reports and Budget Resolutions, most such motions are fully debatable and 60 votes for cloture is needed to cut off extended debate."
And Republicans, he says, should be prepared to gum up even the most standard operating procedures in the Senate. "[The] Senate operates on a presumptive quorum of 51 senators and quorum calls are routinely dispensed with by unanimous consent. If UC is not granted to dispose of a routine quorum call, then the roll must continue to be called. If a quorum is not present, the only motions the leadership may make are to adjourn, to recess under a previous order, or time-consuming motions to establish a quorum that include requesting, requiring, and then arresting Senators to compel their presence in the Senate chamber."
Most of the steps Gregg suggests his colleagues take don't serve any substantive purpose at all, but simply cause the debate proceedings to grind to a halt. As if this debate was proceeding at lightning speed. And this was nearly President Obama's Commerce Secretary! Democrats, for their part, are saying they'll happily take the debate through Christmas if this sort of behavior persists.
You can read the entire letter, and procedural document, here.
Comments (85) | Join the Conversation!
Leave a comment
Follow us!
Most Popular
TPM Stories Now Surging on Digg.com
TPM Top News
© 2010 TPM Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
December 2, 2009 4:45 PM
Oh no! Whatever you do please don't throw us in the 24/7 "roll out the cots and make 'em talk" freak show we've been dreaming of briar patch, Brer Judd.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Andreams
December 2, 2009 7:23 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Sounds to me like he prefers the "run and hide" method. Personally, I'd love to see every single one of the repugs arrested.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:05 PM in reply to Andreams
What a joke. There are several wonderful dictatorships around the globe. Given your asinine comment, perhaps you would be more at home living under one of them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
foodchain11
December 3, 2009 9:30 AM in reply to masanf
Ya know(?),when a party has been elected by a majority to carry out an agenda--THAT'S Democracy. We've had an Oligarchy, rule by the wealthy few, particlulary families--which is essentially a monarchy. So don't talk about what the dems are doing wrong. It's your GOP that got rid of the middle class by tricking it's "servents". It's your GOP that tricks it's "servents" to believe in trickle down economics to their enormous advantage. It's your GOP who has tricked it's "servents" into believing that if we go to the past, everything will be OK. Guess again as to which is the dictatorship.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 4:46 PM
F*%& Judd!!! If they want to play hardball start tabling their amendments, force votes, and reconciliation for the financial parts.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:07 PM in reply to ilovebacon
I would love for the Dems to start tabling Amendments because if they do, it means the Republicans can table Democrat amendments thus they can table any amendment to change the public option, effectively killing this bill. So by all means, start tabling the amendments.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Maritza
December 2, 2009 4:48 PM
So what is Reid going to do?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
December 2, 2009 4:53 PM in reply to Maritza
Sternly.
worded.
letter.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
EastWest
December 2, 2009 4:54 PM in reply to Maritza
Nothing.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mcc
December 2, 2009 4:55 PM in reply to Maritza
Other than the Wyden amendment, doesn't every amendment planned either weaken the bill or aid Republican policy positions like abortion? It seems like Reid could in theory just say, okay, if you're going to make it hard to consider amendments, then no amendments, move directly to the bill itself.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:08 PM in reply to mcc
Fine, do that. Again, this bill does not have sixty votes to pass. If Reid tries for a cloture vote now, he will be humiliated.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mcc
December 3, 2009 3:08 AM in reply to masanf
Reid... will be humiliated.
Evidence available does not seem to support the idea Reid is capable of feeling shame
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
twirling fartknocker
December 2, 2009 4:55 PM in reply to Maritza
quiver and equivocate
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
December 2, 2009 4:52 PM
Gregg can make these mentions because he is retiring and doesn't need to worry about political fall-out. I wish the Dems would make a huge issue out of such reports and even more stink when Republicans started acting on them. Of course Republicans don't care, they're all about grinding the Government to a halt - doing nothing is better than the Obama agenda. Of course when the rolls are reversed, they'll whine and cry and the MSM will carry that issue for them (assuming Reid is out of office and the Dem Senate Leadership decides to give them a taste of their own medecine).
I still hold out hope that the White House is planning to make a huge issue out of the blatant obstructionism of the Republicans closer to the 2010 elections. Taking note of all of the cloture votes being demanded compared to how many were requested under Bush, and even under Clinton and Bush 41. How long it's taking even the most innocuous nominees to get confirmed because of the GOP obstructionism for no other reason than to delay.
But I think that is a fools hope. This healthcare bill should have been passed months ago and the Dems are allowing it to be drawn out. That pushes back the bank regulation bill, the immigration bill, the climate bill etc.
Just imagine what the GOP will do when they get 4-5 seats in 2010. Literally nothing will get passed for two years unless they write it.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Tanjaoui
December 2, 2009 5:08 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
"Just imagine what the GOP will do when they get 4-5 seats in 2010. Literally nothing will get passed for two years unless they write it."
You're right. Which brings me back to the old 'might as well hang for a horse as a mule' strategy: reform health care now, effective next year, hoping you make an immediate difference in people's lives. Single payer, passed by reconciliation, would've been nice. Now we're looking at health insurance reform...with no promises of enforcement. Prices will continue to skyrocket, guaranteed. And, just as you predict, nothing will get done after 2010.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:16 PM in reply to Tanjaoui
Single payer passed by reconciliation? You are an idiot. That would have ensured that the Democrats would be in the minority indefinitely. The American public does not want single-payer, but don't let what the American people want stand in your way.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:15 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Because the American public is really going to care about a cloture vote count when unemployment is in double digits. I would call you politically tone-deaf, but that would be an understatement. And again, more people oppose this "reform" than support it.
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Clear
December 2, 2009 11:30 PM in reply to masanf
Incorrect.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mk3872
December 2, 2009 9:31 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Because he's retiring? You REALLY think the Dems would push Gregg or make a big stink about his obstructionism if he weren't retiring???
The Dems haven't made any political points with the GOP obstructionism to date what makes you think they would start now ???
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
holyhandgrenaid
December 2, 2009 4:53 PM
*Bangs head on desk for umpteenth time this year for voting for this tool in 2004*
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Mateo123
December 2, 2009 4:54 PM
I think the key is how to proceed when a cloture fails. In these instances, we should demand an ongoing debate. Make them read from the phone book, whatever, but don't let them off the hook by simply voting to prolong debate.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 4:57 PM
Yes, to filibuster they should have to be on the floor 24/7. Dems could force that. At some point, the GOP would cave.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Clavis
December 2, 2009 4:57 PM
This is the same kind of thing that Republicans changed the rules to avoid when they were in the majority. Dems were lucky if they could even have a role in writing legislation.
But since when have Democrats ever demagogued *anything*? It's too bad Alan Colmes left Fox; he was a perfect symbol for the weak-kneed complicity that today's Democratic Party embodies.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:00 PM in reply to Clavis
Perhaps Reid will come through. What the hell else can we hope for?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:18 PM in reply to Clavis
When have the Democrats demagogued anything? If that question is not being asked sarcastically, there is not a word to describe what a pathetic, craven, gullible sycophant you are.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
tosh
December 2, 2009 5:02 PM
Fuck 'em. If Reid had balls, he's have his best speakers wave that around and move everything he can shove directly into Reconcilliation. Then send Al off to draft up some more Franken Amendments/Bills to force the GOP into making tough No votes. It shouldn't be hard to come up with 20 things that the GOP Really, Really, Really Doesn't Like but would be embarassed to admit to. Such as the recent "We're Okay With Rape" vote they're bitching about.
John
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:20 PM in reply to tosh
Because when people get in the voting booth and think of record deficits, record unemployment, almost no legislative accomplishments at all the thing that is going to sway their vote is a bunch of nonsense about how the Republicans "support" rape. That is as silly as claiming that opposition to the Patriot Act means you support terrorism.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
December 2, 2009 5:02 PM
If the roles were reversed and the Dems were doing nothing except obstructing for the sake of doing so the GOP would be making a huge stink out of it and the MSM would be on it non-stop.
Not a peep out of the Dems and not a mention from the MSM.
Reid as a worm at best and probably a mole Republican.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:04 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Not a peep is damned right.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
elle a
December 2, 2009 7:16 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Oh Lord. democrats just dont work that way. when will democratic voters realize this simple fact?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:21 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Uh, the Dems did do the same exact thing for six freakin years, which is why all this whining from the left now is so, so easy to laugh at and then ignore.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Forrest
December 3, 2009 1:46 PM in reply to masanf
If the Left did this for six years, how did we end up with John Roberts and Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court?
Why the hell are we in Iraq?
Why did every war funding bill get passed?
I remember NPR covering the damned 'Nuclear Option' every day for weeks, and eventually it became moot because enough Democrats reached across the aisle to give the Republicans what they wanted.
This congress, some nominees can't even get out of committee, let alone to a cloture vote.
I won't deny that Democrats have played obstructionist in the past - it's to be expected in a two party system. I don't know if it's media coverage or what, but this time around it seems obstruction has been taken to a whole new level.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
tonigo
December 2, 2009 5:03 PM
I'm surprised Obama considered this guy for Commerce Secretary. Maybe he's trying to prove his conservative bona fides to the wingnuts by being an obstructionist tool.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
mcc
December 2, 2009 5:08 PM in reply to tonigo
If Obama had made him commerce secretary, he wouldn't be in the Senate now. Seeming more and more like a genius move in retrospect :/
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:03 PM
Franken can do that w/o Reid's permission.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
montag1
December 2, 2009 5:03 PM
And this is the guy Obama wanted for Commerce Secretary....
We're way deep in the rabbit hole.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
jeffgee
December 2, 2009 5:03 PM
Hard to believe Obama thought he could work with this guy.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
December 2, 2009 5:24 PM in reply to jeffgee
He didn't. He thought he could lure him out of the Senate and encyst him safely in the bosom of the Turkey Farm, er, Commerce Department, where he wouldn't be able to do crap like this. Unfortunately, other Republicans saw through Obama's cunning plan and forced Gregg to back out.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lousgirl84
December 2, 2009 6:10 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Exactly right!!!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Walter Mitty
December 2, 2009 6:13 PM in reply to The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
Actually Democrats raised a stink about him "controlling the census" to the point it was stripped from his control so he decided to stay in the Senate.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
December 2, 2009 7:13 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Okay, granted, some obtuse Democrats played a role in the unravelling of the cunning plan.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:11 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
Yeah, the Dems raised a stink about the Commerce Dept. running the census even though that Dept. has been running it for ages. Another example of the Democratic Party putting partisanship above the rules which govern them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:22 PM in reply to jeffgee
Yeah, hard to believe that Obama thought he could work with someone who didn't worship him like the slavish sycophants who populate this echoch...I mean blog.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:05 PM
Hey, Obama tried bipartisanship and it failed. Now time to whack the GOP obstructionists on their chapped arses.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:24 PM in reply to ilovebacon
Obama tried bipartisanship? Was that before or after he was telling the Republican Party "I won". Obama has not once tried to be bipartisan.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Forrest
December 3, 2009 1:50 PM in reply to masanf
But I thought we want politicians to tell the truth?
He DID win, last I checked.
So Republicans are going to obstruct all changes being proposed by the duly elected majority, just because they got their feelings hurt?
I already knew a lot of Republicans were scared little boys and girls, afraid of terrorists in every shadow. I didn't know they were crybabies too.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Cool Blue Reason
December 2, 2009 5:08 PM
If they pull this crap, I figure Reid should go ahead with the process of "arresting [all absent GOP] Senators to compel their presence in the Senate chamber."
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:25 PM in reply to Cool Blue Reason
I would love for Reid to try and do that because the political damage would be so huge, the Democratic caucus would be lucky to have enough members to fill a taxicab after the 2010 election.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
susanthe
December 2, 2009 5:11 PM
Ole Dudd the "deficit hawk" never met a defense spending bill he didn't like. Our outrageous military spending is far more detrimental to the US bottom line. Luckily for Dudd, Obama just played right into their hands. We won't be able to spend money on health care, or any social safety nets - because we've got undeclared, endless wars to fight.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:12 PM
Or just call a vote when they're absent.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
biged242
December 2, 2009 5:16 PM
Jeff Spicoli: "Hey bud, what's your problem?"
Mr. Hand: "No problem at all. I think you know where the front office is."
Jeff Spicoli: [stunned] "You dick!"
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:20 PM in reply to biged242
jeff spicoli? huh?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Hussein Stemper
December 2, 2009 5:33 PM in reply to ilovebacon
Fast Times at Ridgemont High, methinks...
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jackster
December 2, 2009 5:24 PM
Still listening for a reasoned argument as to why they don't want a "fairer, flatter" health care system... We can't afford it now that we have to pay for more in Iraq and Afganistan.... Economy sux but let's not pillory those responsible.... Lets just WAIT until we can get rid of those pesky moderates in 2010 so we can do nothing. Until then "just say no" Anything to make Obama fail even if we did it!!!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jackster
December 2, 2009 5:26 PM
Blocking the most important social legislation in recent history can be the republican's Waterloo! Can we not spin that?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:13 PM in reply to Jackster
The Republican waterloo? That would be amazing considering the fact that every poll shows more Americans opposed to this reform than support it. But hey, don't let that inconvenient fact get in your way.
http://www.pollster.com/polls/us/healthplan.php
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Jackster
December 2, 2009 8:40 PM in reply to masanf
"this reform" as phrased by the pollster
when majorities support a PO you ignore and dismiss polls.
When a poll is targeted with leading language, you stand on the highest box and scream.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Forrest
December 3, 2009 2:12 PM in reply to masanf
I asked 15 of my friends if they were in favor of health care reform....
if it meant that reform would put to death anyone who sniffled more than 3 times in a day.
Shockingly they were all opposed to reform.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:29 PM
How about Feingold, Franken,Boxer, Leahy DOING SOMETHING?!?! These so-called fighting Dems are dithering.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
MassDem
December 2, 2009 5:34 PM
Democrats protest war. Republicans protest healthcare.
Christmas??? Til hell freezes over!!!. Come on Harry! Nobody leaves, at any time for any reason, til this thing's done. Let 'em starve. 24/7. All day everyday. Nobody leaves until we find the strawberries.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ericf
December 2, 2009 5:52 PM in reply to MassDem
I like "Democrats protest war. Republicans protest healthcare." Accurate yet brief.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 5:36 PM
Yes, NO breaks for meals. Let half of them starve. If he pushes it, it will work.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kuyleh
December 2, 2009 5:45 PM
Did it ever occur to the tossers to just READ THE BILL?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Joe Monster
December 2, 2009 5:53 PM
Hey wow- is this guy an actual asshole? I thought the Republicans were completely phony. I admire his genuinity.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
dickday
December 2, 2009 5:55 PM
This is a true enemy of the people. AND HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Saladin
December 2, 2009 6:18 PM in reply to dickday
The lowest of the low. Judd Gregg is. Particularly after that sleazy fact finding job he did pretending to be "commerce secetary". I hate that son of a bitch. Fancies himself a goddamn double o seven. Just a lying two bit hypocrite piece of shit.
Nail em dd.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
PQuincy
December 2, 2009 6:02 PM
Interesting...the Republicans are now deploying the tools that were first mooted during the debate, a few years ago, over the 'nuclear option' as potential Democratic tactics should the Republicans use a parliamentary maneuver to end filibusters of judicial nominations. They're deploying them, more over, not to prevent a major change of Senate rules, but to stop one bill they don't like.
The silver lining of this cloud is that it might help create pressure to overturn some of the more dysfunctional rules of the Senate, eventually. After all, if the Republicans play this way, we can expect that any conceivable legislation they favor -- including bills to keep some version of the the Bush tax cuts after next year -- would be equally blocked by the Democrats.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Icon
December 2, 2009 6:09 PM
I'm increasingly believing the filibuster has so much lost its legislative purpose that it needs to be eliminated.
Once upon a time, it was a reasoned political tactic, but when it is being used for virtually every bill because the minority party can't accept the fact they are not in power, I no longer believe it has a reason to exist.
There are multiple parliamentary nuclear options that could be used for that purpose. I wonder if the Dems will try them.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 8:56 PM in reply to Icon
Will have to try them. The nuclear option may need to be employed. There is no other way. Repubs will stall on EVERY SINGLE BILL. If Democrats want to get anything done, they will need to play tough. It can be done easily. All we need is 51 votes. But let's get moving already.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Icon
December 2, 2009 9:34 PM in reply to ilovebacon
The problem with the nuclear options is once they're employed there's not much in terms of turning back. The Dems will be in the minority again someday, and they'll have to deal with the Republicans being idiotic at governing.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 3, 2009 1:08 PM in reply to Icon
who's to say repubs won't employ the nuclear option regardless of whether or not dems do?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Icon
December 4, 2009 6:13 PM in reply to ilovebacon
Nothing, but neither party wants to concede a possible political advantage to the other. There's also generally political fallout from manipulating the process to get what you want when you're in power.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
lousgirl84
December 2, 2009 6:13 PM
Another very ugly republican. They seem to have the corner on ugliness. They all have blue eyes, white skin with big red blotches and in Gregg's case he probably had a horrible case of acne which left his face pockmarked and makes him even uglier. He's also chinless. OOOGLY OOGLY
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 8:08 PM in reply to lousgirl84
was thinking the same thing. Damn! is he ugly!
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Matt Jones
December 2, 2009 6:45 PM
Would it be a violation of the Senate rules for somebody to set up a counter that goes up by 1 every 10 minutes or so? The label: "Americans who died from not having insurance". Put it someplace where the news cameras get it in the shot while showing Congresscritter X reading the phone book. A "death panel" indeed.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
fsudirectory
December 2, 2009 7:13 PM in reply to Matt Jones
Sounds like something Grayson should do, just sneak into the Senate Chambers and set it up
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:03 PM
Well perhaps the Democrats should have thought of this before they did the same exact thing for pretty much the entirety of the Bush administration. I have a distinct feeling the hypocrites on this site weren't complaining then.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 8:07 PM in reply to masanf
shut your pie hole, troll.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
masanf
December 2, 2009 8:09 PM in reply to ilovebacon
Hhahahahahahahahahaha, not gonna happen, douchebag. Perhaps you can complain and get me banned. After all, we wouldn't want any dissent in the echochamber would we?
And way to address the substance of what I wrote, hypocrite.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
ilovebacon
December 2, 2009 8:52 PM in reply to masanf
There is no substance. Democrats only filibustered a couple of fascist judges, NOT the illegal Iraq war vote (they voted for the damn thing), NOT the tax cuts for the richies. Please! Democrats didn't filibuster any policy debates. Anyway, we are going to get the vote. A little thing called reconciliation. Or the nuclear option. Repubs are playing with dynamite.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Forrest
December 3, 2009 2:18 PM in reply to ilovebacon
To be fair, wasn't reconciliation used for at least some of the tax cuts? That would imply that a cloture vote would have or did fail.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
MoCrash
December 2, 2009 8:56 PM in reply to masanf
Nice rewrite of history, bub, but let's hear details of how the Congressional Democrats did anything to block Bush's tax cuts, anti-civil liberties bills or war authorization. Until he took on Social Security, Bush got most everything he wanted, even though the Republicans never had 60 members in the Senate.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
froggerx
December 2, 2009 10:19 PM in reply to masanf
masant,
do you have anything to say other than "blah blah republicans are great blah blah"?
Every comment you say is contrarian - it's as if you watch too much Cartoon Network and you're playing opposites day.
If your side is so much on the upswing and winning and really so cool, why do you have to come here and snipe with your trivial bothersome nonsense?
Can't you go over to RedState and post a "yeah - exactly right" after each comment there? It would be exactly the opposite of what you're doing here. And we can all see how much you like opposite-ness. Were you the class-clown in kindergarden too?
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?
Kris1956
December 3, 2009 6:11 AM
When this asses will start to present new legislatures or work for their constituents?
This guy work so hard to obstruct that I'm sure if he put his head together he could come up with new health plan.
Can't believe that repbulican/democratic voters can be this ignorant and stupid to vote for anyone like that over and over.
Our country belongs to us. We are the leaders but, the "buy it and eat it and get fat" became so convenient that nobody votes for new blood, every one want Governement to vote for themselves so, here my fellow Americans. Bitch and moan but, that's what you voted for.
Reply | Flag Abuse
Are you sure this comment violates TPM's Terms of Service?