tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post7731080403299929783..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: Democrats, Mostly Just as Hypocritical as the Other Side.Jonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-72656360401437863322010-09-24T10:41:51.291-05:002010-09-24T10:41:51.291-05:00I agree with Jon and I agree with Anonymous wonkst...I agree with Jon and I agree with Anonymous wonkster. Indeed, I remember in 2005 the netroots were quite happy with how Reid continuously stymied Reid. Should the Dems be in the minority come 2011, I suspect they'll like how Schumer runs rings around McConnell, too (assuming Republicans don't eliminate the filibuster. And while they have every incentive to do so collectively, god only knows if Snowe and Collins would really go along with that).<br /><br />But more broadly, Jonathan's right that the Democrat's hesitancy to get rid of the filibuster themselves isn't based on any collective belief in the sanctity of the rule, but in individual Senators trying to preserve their power. Lord knows Nelson and Lieberman would hate to see it go (At least right now, they probably won't care as much next year). Add in a few more centrists who think the same way (and many do) and a couple old lions who don't like rule changes (Dodd and Byrd both spoke highly of the filibuster) and I'd be surprised if you can get to 50 on that measure.Colbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14262426400735202537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-44124033371196720022010-09-23T19:28:06.198-05:002010-09-23T19:28:06.198-05:00I don't think that the democrats have been &qu...I don't think that the democrats have been "ruthless" or "hypocritical" with finding creative ways around the rules. I think that both sides have tried to manipulate the rules in ways that benefit them, it just so happens that the current rules are more capable of being manipulated to prevent action than to cause action.Anonymouswonksternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-89942406533875925132010-09-23T16:58:05.161-05:002010-09-23T16:58:05.161-05:00Ruthless, hypocritical politician is pretty much a...Ruthless, hypocritical politician is pretty much a tautology. But that doesn't mean there aren't differences.<br /><br />Dems being aggressive about filing cloture? Isn't that conflating effect with cause? <br /><br />It's not just Delay, by the way. Abuse by forcing cloture was invented by the Republicans, and in the 110th Congress they just about doubled the previous high - which they also set - in need for cloture.<br /><br />I haven't updated this graph with a 111th no. since January, but it's clear that Republicans have obstruction as their major, if not only platform plank.<br /><br />http://jazzbumpa.blogspot.com/2010/01/party-of-no-pt-2.html<br /><br />Cheers!<br />JzBJazzbumpahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07337490817307473659noreply@blogger.com