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Dodd: Republicans Are Getting Tired Of The 'Just Say No' Strategy
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
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With the final health care reform bill about to pass, and a financial reform bill already out of committee, some Republicans are rethinking their party's "just say no" strategy to legislating, according to Sen. Chris Dodd.
Dodd (D-CT) told reporters this morning that "The health care thing kind of changed the atmospherics around here."
"I think, frankly, there are a number of Republicans who went along with the strategy of 'just say no' who were never really happy with it, but if it worked they would go along," Dodd said. "They saw it fail. And now they've had enough of it. and they really want to be involved in crafting things."
One of Dodd's colleagues on the banking committee, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) told reporters yesterday that Republicans made a "major strategic error" by refusing to support financial regulation legislation. That bill has now passed out of committee with no Republican votes or input.
"I don't think people realize that this is an issue that almost every American wants to see passed," Corker said.
Today, Dodd said that Corker isn't alone.
"People like him and others are tired of being told to just say no to everything," he said.
Dodd said yesterday that health care "strengthened our hand" and made him more optimistic about passing financial reform.
Additional reporting by Brian Beutler
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Dorn76
March 25, 2010 11:29 AM
Winning begets winning. This is only the beginning.
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theone718
March 25, 2010 11:41 AM in reply to Dorn76
You better fucking believe it. The win is definitely at our backs.
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Vincent F
March 25, 2010 11:30 AM
Let's hope that Democrats take this lesson to heart: Enacting legislation that you campaigned on makes you stronger and forces your opponents to respect you. Keep it up, Dems!
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VictorLH
March 25, 2010 11:31 AM
Why would the GOP even care about this bill getting out of committee. It is everything they would want. It doesn't do shit to regulate the Financial Industry. The Consumer Protection Agency being part of the Fed is worthless now that they have to be funded by the Fed - and who funds the Fed? The Fed does. There is nothing to regulate the derivatives market nor hedge funds. This bill is the final sell-out by Dodd to his masters in the banking industry.
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mans_best_friend
March 25, 2010 11:44 AM in reply to VictorLH
And there's no public option, either.
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VictorLH
March 25, 2010 11:51 AM in reply to mans_best_friend
Are you agreeing with me? This bill is far more egregous than the lack of a Public Option in the Health Care Reform bill.
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FreeRider
March 25, 2010 1:11 PM in reply to mans_best_friend
LMAO! And don't forget it's a corporate giveaway by the Democratic corporate whores who are no different from the Republicans.
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VictorLH
March 25, 2010 2:02 PM in reply to FreeRider
Watch out there Freebase, laughing like that make break your neck moving it around so vigorously in your asshole.
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FreeRider
March 25, 2010 2:15 PM in reply to VictorLH
Your sentence is borderline incoherent but I think you're expressing your concern for my physical welfare. Thank you very much!
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hunter
March 25, 2010 12:24 PM in reply to VictorLH
The derivatives piece just isn't done; they're working out the language and it's expected to be added as an amendment. As for the consumer protection agency, I guess I don't see why being part of the Fed is so crippling...not saying it isn't, but could you unpack that a bit?
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toshiaki
March 25, 2010 1:03 PM in reply to hunter
Since the House has it outside the Fed, there's always the beauty of Conference. Dodd crafted his bill with Corker to get 60 votes and also at a time when the Dems were running around like headless chickens before Healthcare passed. It's *possible* that the pound of flesh the the House wants as payment for hanging out in the air on Health Care (and also caving on so much) will be to get a better deal on Financial Reform.
We need to remember that Harry is running for re-election, is behind in the polls and looks all dead to rights. He needs more than a few rabbits out of his hat to turn things around and look like an effective leader. This may be another shot for him, especially if he sees a little bounce in local polls after healthcare.
We're always going to have Dems who are completely bought out by the banks wanting to water this down. But it looks like this is going to be an issue the Dems want to use in the fall general elections. It's going to be hard for a lot of them to bolt over what is truly (even in the House form) a modest "reform" bill.
John
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VictorLH
March 25, 2010 2:04 PM in reply to hunter
When I see it, I'll reconsider my position. The one in the House bill doesn't include many of those who sell derivatives. The best solution would be restricting those who get FDIC Insurance from taking such risks to begin with.
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FreeRider
March 25, 2010 2:18 PM in reply to VictorLH
We're on the edge of our seats waiting to see if you will change your very weighty and relevant opinion.
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Jarl van Hoother
March 25, 2010 1:25 PM in reply to VictorLH
My brother (a liberal guy incidentally) works pretty high up at the Fed, and he said even if the consumer protection agency was, technically, "in the Fed", it would still have a worthy amount of autonomy. I don't think that alone would be a fatal strike against it.
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VictorLH
March 25, 2010 2:06 PM in reply to Jarl van Hoother
I don't see it that way. If said agency is dependent on the Fed for its budget, what prevents the Fed from defunding them if they don't "tow the line" so to speak. In other words, He who has the Gold Rules and in this case the Fed does, not the Consumer Protection Agency.
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Measure for Measure
March 25, 2010 3:47 PM in reply to VictorLH
If the Fed cut that agency's budget, it would be noticed. Pulling a stunt like that would bring unwanted congressional attention.
The effects would be more subtle. In a dozen or so years Consumer Protection would become a backwater at the Fed: ambitious bureaucrats would see it as a stepping stone and would not want to rock the boat. But I don't think this problem would be insurmountable.
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Viva!America!
March 25, 2010 11:44 AM
In other words: Mid-terms are coming. Or am I being too cynical?
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Walter Mitty
March 25, 2010 12:02 PM in reply to Viva!America!
Mid-Terms are coming, but none of the GOP senators are really at risk. The ones that would be at risk are all being retired. Burr is at risk, but he's going all in with the obstructionists.
I think there is some in the 2012 class that could be realizing that they'll need to show their ability to work with Dems but that is two and a half years away.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
March 25, 2010 12:24 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
I can name one Republican Senator right off the top of my head, Richard Burr, (R-NC) who is severely at risk. He's in worse shape than Libby Dole was at this point in 2008. He polls above the possible opposition, but only because no one knows them and he can't get above 50% in the approval race. Burr is a potential Democratic pickup, just because he's the incumbent and no on likes him.
As long as we're making lists, Bennett in Utah and McCain in Arizona are also severely at risk, but from the right.
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human
March 25, 2010 12:02 PM
Well, I'll believe it when I see it--because a lot of Repubs seem to be doubling down on the crazy, especially those with primary fights and elections this year.
Now, once the elections are over, and Dems retain a majority as I believe they will, then they should accept reality.
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georgecs
March 25, 2010 12:05 PM
"I think, frankly, there are a number of Republicans who went along with the strategy of 'just say no' who were never really happy with it, but if it worked they would go along," Dodd said. "They saw it fail. And now they've had enough of it. and they really want to be involved in crafting things."
Sorry, but fuck them.
Republicans were perfectly willing to burn the fucking house down as long as it worked and they never got caught. Now it's obvious that it didn't work and they're afraid they'll pay the consequences of it. This fair-weather, finger-in-the-air, CYA approach to governance is just another cynical tactic by Republicans who just want to hang onto power. They figured they could regain power by kicking down the front door, now they realize that won't work so they're politely knocking and asking to come inside.
I know it's not the most sophisticated response, but seriously, fuck them.
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plan69
March 25, 2010 12:10 PM in reply to georgecs
(applause)
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dustbunny44
March 25, 2010 1:32 PM in reply to georgecs
Apparently there are several who still think burning the house down is a good strategy. F* them indeed. If Dodd knows a bunch of "sane" republicans, why aren't they - openly - trying to talk sense to their psychotic brethren?
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geofu54
March 25, 2010 1:47 PM in reply to georgecs
Co-fuckin-sign.
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AnswerFrog
March 25, 2010 12:12 PM
Shocker!! -- the MSM (& GOP) Conventional Wisdom was wrong.
Who would have guessed that our "good friends" in the media were wrong about this. I would have thought that being really really super nice to the Republicans and following all of their "helpful" advice would pay dividends.
And to think that Karl Rove wrote all those WSJ editorials showing concern for Democratic strategy, and it's all for nought!
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GTFOOH
March 25, 2010 12:19 PM
Doubt that what Dodd is saying is anything but wishful thinking. The only chenk in their armor has been Bob Corker (TN), who appeared to be upset that banking reform went out of committee on a 13/10 party line vote. Corker talks about Republicans missing a chance to influence the bill, what he means is he did not get a chance to represent changes wanted by his big dollar donors, like the Pay Lender associations. Republicans don't give a crap about not taking care of the people's business, while they play political chicken. But the money it is costing their political donors, by not participating in the process and making even marginal changes, is something the Democrats would do good to exploit!
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Joe Buck
March 25, 2010 12:40 PM
With all due respect to Sen. Dodd, I'll believe it when I see it. Real change would involve a few Republicans refusing to go along with filibusters. Fake change is more likely, like a few Republicans deciding to play Lucy with the football: don't worry, Charlie Brown, this time I'll let you kick the football if you just add a bunch of Republican priorities to your biil. Then, at the last minute, they obstruct yet again!
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Measure for Measure
March 25, 2010 5:49 PM in reply to Joe Buck
Yes.
And let's not forget that fake financial reform could be worse than no financial reform at all.
This is different than health care reform. Insuring an extra 30-32 million does a world of good. But financial reform that does nothing to prevent the next crisis is counterproductive.
Key concern: if there are no restrictions on leverage within the shadow banking system, the proposal should be tossed.
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Cornelius
March 25, 2010 8:50 PM in reply to Measure for Measure
Beg to differ: HCR is a big deal but the legislation is weak and still gives the corporate pigs a cash cow in subsidies and no cost control restrictions.
Financial reform legislation appears tepid with no real power. Whether part of the Fed or not both legislations are weak. Maybe it's the best the Dems can do but it all appears so marginalized.
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Tom Hagen
March 25, 2010 10:44 PM
Wow. So much to contemplate. Here's my HO. Yes the GOP set fire to the building while slamming the door .They were inside and there was a mad scramble for the key. Lost!!They want to cooperate now?
Sure ...after November or hire a locksmith or let the Xe Volunteer Fire Department respond.
We need what we have desperately. People who look at the long , pragmatic, human view. not "what did my stock close at today" of the last 30 years.Let them eat indictments.
I want to be profane but I refrain.
Whatever races are crucial in the mid-terms needs the same door-knocking blood and sweat that got us thus far.
I pray that the inciteful rhetoric calms down. Terroristic threats are still a crime I presume. DOJ should be looking closely.
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tropicgirl
March 26, 2010 9:59 AM
THE TRUTH HURTS
Dem Senator Kaufman: Our Bank Reform Plan WON'T End 'Too Big To Fail'
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