Call Boxer's and Leahy's office and others that are amongst the Dems "on the fence" on filibuster!

[cascadiance]

According to this article, Senators Merkley and Harkin only needed two more senators to have the majority they needed to get the *TALKING filibuster* in place. According to this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/03/filibuster-reform-senate_n_2405008.html

there were seven senators that were still not "signed up" for their talking filibuster reform, which appears it might be watered down now to allowing four more years of obstruction. We need to force Republicans to explain their obstructionism to the public on CSPAN, etc. or in turn if the Democrats are in a minority empower those in the Democratic minority by the SAME rule to help rally the public on progressive stances that are in the public interest to not get steam rollered by Republican majority (if that were ever to happen again).

The talking filibuster is an American tradition to bring back. I'm proud of my current senator, Jeff Merkley, and a former senator of mine (Tom Harkin) for trying to restore it. I'm concerned about two other former senators of mine (Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer) for not helping us get this restored. Anyway, here's the list of seven senators and the phone numbers to call now and let them know you want a TALKING FILIBUSTER, NOT the nonsense that will do little to fix the problem that is the "bipartisan" thing being shopped by the corporatists that will continue to have us be uninformed and unrepresented.

Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) DC - 202-224-3553
Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) - 202-224-4242
Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) - 202-224-3841
Carl Levin (D-Mich.) - 202-224-6221
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) - 202-224-2353
Max Baucus (D-Mont.) - 202-224-2651
Jack Reed (D-R.I.) - 202-224-4642

It probably wouldn't hurt to call your own senator too to see if they are REALLY "signed on" or not, in case it is not just these senators that are the ones that are keeping the talking filibuster from happening. I believe that of this list that Boxer and Leahy have been noted progressive senators, and from those outside the state, we should be focusing on them, as they really should be wanting this rule to be in place more than the other more blue dog dems listed here.

[cascadiance]

1. Here's an article on how this still "doesn't have support"...

Dems need to be reminded of what party they are in!

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/278815-sen-durbin-democrats-lack-votes-to-pass-talking-filibuster-reform

And another from TPM on the status here...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/harry-reid-has-51-votes-filibuster-reform.php

Perhaps Senator Reid should also be called and reminded that the dems DO NOT NEED 51 votes to pass this reform. Just 50, since supposedly Biden can vote it in in case of a 50-50 draw. And Biden supposedly is behind this reform too, is he not?

[Bennyboy]

2. Done

Both Di-Fi and Boxer as well as Leahy (Wrong number but never asked about my constituency)

[Filibuster Harry]

3. thanks for the info. Contacted both Senator Boxer and Senator Leahy. Now I will continue

with Senators Feinstein and Levin.

If or when you contact them let them know this: The senate republicans used the silent filibuster many, many times (100+ in Obama's first year); President Obama only had a super majority from Sept 24, 2009 when Paul Kirk was appointed to the late Ted Kennedy's seat until Feb. 4, 2010 when Scott Brown won the Mass. special election; the affordable care act would not have passed without a super majority which also included Arlen Specter changing parties; If more silent filibusters are allowed the senate Rs will obstruct and hold this country hostage, blame democrats and the president for not getting anything done which could give the Rs wins in 2014 (house and senate); continued obstructionism could hurt either Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden bid for president in 2016. Continued use of the silent filibuster is democrats fault.

[Filibuster Harry]

4. Just contacted Senator Feinstein's office. I really hope our democrat senators don't

blow this chance. I want these people to work for this country not help the Rs continue this obstructionism.
This should be a no-brainer. Do the right, oops, correct thing harry reid.

[annabanana]

5. k&r ! . . .n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

6. K&R

[NorthCarolina]

7. Conservadems..

[Cha]

8. Thanks cascadiance!

[CBHagman]

9. Bumping this.

I'm surprised to read some of the names on that list. Others, not so much.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

10. Called Senator Boxer and left a message asking her to support the "Talking" filibuster proposal.

Also called Senator Feinstein, but wasn't able to leave a message; I was asked to call the California office.

[rhett o rick]

12. I bet she has lots of offices in Calif you can call. nm

[patrice]

11. Done this afternoon.

[gateley]

13. But wait a minute -- what does this mean?

"...there were seven senators that were still not 'signed up' for their talking filibuster reform, which appears it might be watered down now to allowing for more years of obstruction.:

Does that mean that if the "watered down" version passes, it will in essence do nothing? Are they holding out for REAL change?

I'm confused (obviously).

And just furious at Reed anyway -- WTF is his problem? WE WON, REED! WE HAVE THE MAJORITY! USE IT!

[xxxsdesdexxx]

14. I heard that they would need to actually have 41 senators agree to filibuster rather than needing

to have 60 agree to proceed.

[gateley]

15. I wonder what the "watered down" thing means?

[xxxsdesdexxx]

17. I think it's considered "watered down" for several reasons

One of those reasons is the fact that they won't need to talk.

[gateley]

18. Thanks again -- do you know why Harry gave up the "get to talk" aspect?

[flamingdem]

16. K&R

[davidpdx]

19. The Anti-filibuster 7, none of them deserve to be called Democrats

Barbara Boxer
Patrick Leahy
Dianne Feinstein
Carl Levin
Mark Pryor
Max Baucus
Jack Reed

[CobaltBlue]

21. I'm done with Carl Levin!

I'm in Michigan. I won't be voting for Carl Levin in 2014. I'd prefer that he make the decision to retire. He was first elected in 1978 and is in his seventh consecutive term. I'm ready for different Democratic leadership from Mich.

Levin turned me off with his bullshit over the extension of the Patriot Act. And last November I did not to vote to re-elect Debbie Stabenow. So, I'm ready for some big changes with the Democratic Party in Michigan. If they keep running the same careerists, the same antiquated and useless group, I'll continue to vote in their political races for Green Party candidates.

[davidpdx]

23. Glad to hear that

You guys need to find someone like Merkley who is a young energetic progressive. It will be a hard task.

[xxxsdesdexxx]

20. Now I wish we would have primaried Feinstein in California in 2012.

We need a democrats who are willing to fight for the progressive cause in our state. As long as we have someone who is competent, and well spoken, they would be able to defeat her in an election.

[CobaltBlue]

22. Manipulation

By the way: That list is just what Glenn Greenwald described, when we was still with Salon.com, as the "rotating villains" in the last Kabuki theatrics of the full-of-it Democrats. Jon Walker, at Firedoglake.com, had it correct when he wrote that the Senate Democrats aren't actually wanting to govern. This is a lot of manipulation. And it will just continue.

[dmosh42]

24. None on this 'weasel list' have defended their stances, which is the least we could expect from them

Now we can look forward to another two years of uselessness by the senate. And that's probably what they wanted anyway. Real scumbags!