Financial Reform Talks Near Collapse, Some GOPers Threaten To Defect

The Party of Maybe Not, I'll Get Back To You

Let's play hardball

Stick to your guns, and keep hitting them with votes, Dems. You're doing good so far!

The Republicans are in a corner with no way out, and Shelby knows it. Even if he and Dodd produce a back-door, watered-down compromise which will shake loose a few Republican votes for cloture, Dodd and Reid could never bring the bill to the floor with a no-amendments rule. So those water-down provisions would be subject to amendment, and even strengthening amendments would be offered.

So the best Republican strategy is to oppose any cloture vote, hope that their bloc holds, and that the public forgets about the GOP's obstruction come November. Even better, the Republicans will seek to blame Reid's management skills.

The Democrats had better recall the famous sailing mantra HOLD FAST. Reid should have it tatooed to his goddamned fingers, like that old salt in Master & Commander.

Because there is no way -- no way -- the Republicans are going to go into the fall having rejected a financial reform bill against Shitty Deal Wall Streeters AND immigration reform staring them in the face.

Assuming the Democrats don't jellydick the fall campaign messaging -- and, yeah, that's a big "if" -- Republicans should be scared of the double-barrel argument facing them come autumn.

Dems will need two GOP votes as Nelson is a worm.

Don't forget, this is just round one. They'll have plenty of opportunities to filibuster, even if they lose the initial round. Overcoming this filibuster just means the bill gets to be debated. During that debate, amendments can be filibustered, and, of course, final passage can be filibustered, too.

Sure, it'll be nice to see THEM cave, for once, but it's only a teenytiny cave.

OK, but long-term, there is more delay to come. Say the Republicans finally cave, allow debate, lose most of the votes, and there is finally a Senate bill. We'd have a House bill and a Senate bill, and have to go to committee. Reconciliation doesn't work this time, right? So then McConnell can use all his tricks to filibuster the conference committee markup? Frankly, I liked reconciliation better.

Chris Dodd..that paragon of virtue of integrity and honesty..is the face and voice of the Jackassocrats on this issue..

...gee..what could possibly be wrong with that scenario??

If the news reports are correct, Sen. Reid intends on following up the financial regulations bill with the climate bill and then immigrationlegislation. Someone, or some "Party" seems to have gotten the Sen. from Nevada's dander up! Finally.
Should the Republicans drag out the finance regulations and THEN do the same on climate legislation, when you add in the time that is going to be spent on less "disruptive" legislation (Defense Appropriations, etc), they have a very good chance of facing the mid-term elections just as their obstruction tactics against immigration reform rev up.
To prevent that timetable from happening, of course, they can stop their partisan delaying tactics and allow the legislation to be voted on, which would allow them to play the "victim" at the polls. Teabaggers, however, don't seem to have much sympathy for anyone in that role except themselves.
In the words of a co-worker: Sweet!

Amazing how the Republicans suddenly start actingly more like normal Senators instead of a pack of deranged sociopaths when they know they can't win.

"Barney" just closes his eyes and types whatever comes to his mind----and all that comes to his mind (which he then types out) is always a piece of shit.

Just once, I like to see Democrats string Republicans along with the hopes of bipartisian talks, while secretly having a plan B to ram it down their throats regardless.

Corker is unhappy because "payday" lenders aren't exempt from the bill.

If republicans can't maintain their obstruction, then there's little point to the blackmail money republicans are demanding from the Wall Street corps.

(seriously) - Are republicans afraid that if they bring MORE stringent regulation the senate will vote along party lines for the hell of it and their amendments wouldn't pass? I don't see why they need to negotiate it out in advance. Vote in the amendments and tighten it up if that's your intention. Democrats wouldn't obstruct that right? (I mean, we aren't that screwed yet right?) So where's the downside? Totally befuddled.

The Republicans don't need no stinkin' regulations! The S&L crisis with McCain and Keating leading the way, and the 2007 financial meltdown were just normal market corrections. Now move along, nothing to see here.

It's not what the Republicans say, it's what they do.

Actions speak louder than words.

The Republicans are blocking reform.

The "party of no" won't even allow any debate.

The Republicans need to stop delaying and get the debate going - publicly - on the floor of the Senate. It's time to stop the backroom deals, the off-the-record conversations, and the fundraising events with lobbyists.

The time for game playing is over.

"Two senators, Democrat Evan Bayh of Indiana and Republican Michael Bennett of Utah, did not vote.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20003587-503544.html

Evan Bayh is blocking debate of financial reform.

Can someone please explain to me why Collins, Coburn, et al aren't being lambasted for leaving the Goldman Sach hearings where they joined in the accusations against Wall Street only to vote for the filibuster?
Why hasn't the MSM picked up on this hypocrysy. Why haven't the Dem's used this as a talking point?

When the GOP caves in by getting nothing, I hope the Democrats kick 'em in the nuts one more time for good measure. Consider it payback for the 18 months of lies and division on health care reform.