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bvar22

(39,909 posts)
62. You support the Weak President Theory for Inaction?
Thu Jan 24, 2013, 05:37 PM
Jan 2013

You believe that the President and Leader of the entire Democratic Party has
no influence over what Harry Reid does in The Senate???!!!

I've never though that the Weak President Rationalization was good for President Obama OR The Democratic Party.

My Take on Harry Reid's behavior:
The LAST thing the Democratic Party Leadership wants is a clear legislative majority in the House OR The Senate.
That would ruin the Kabuki Theater,
and completely pull back the curtain.
There would BE No More Excuses.

"The Arkansas primary fight (2010) illuminates some unpleasant though vital truths about the Democratic establishment "

"So what did the Democratic Party establishment do when a Senator who allegedly impedes their agenda faced a primary challenger who would be more supportive of that agenda? They engaged in full-scale efforts to support Blanche Lincoln. Bill Clinton traveled to Arkansas to urge loyal Democrats to vote for her, bashing liberal groups for good measure. Obama recorded an ad for Lincoln which, among other things, were used to tell African-American primary voters that they should vote for her because she works for their interests. The entire Party infrastructure lent its support and resources to Lincoln — a Senator who supposedly prevents Democrats from doing all sorts of Wonderful, Progressive Things which they so wish they could do but just don’t have the votes for.

<snip>

What happened in this race also gives the lie to the insufferable excuse we’ve been hearing for the last 18 months from countless Obama defenders: namely, if the Senate doesn’t have 60 votes to pass good legislation, it’s not Obama’s fault because he has no leverage over these conservative Senators. It was always obvious what an absurd joke that claim was; the very idea of The Impotent, Helpless President, presiding over a vast government and party apparatus, was laughable. But now, in light of Arkansas, nobody should ever be willing to utter that again with a straight face. Back when Lincoln was threatening to filibuster health care if it included a public option, the White House could obviously have said to her: if you don’t support a public option, not only will we not support your re-election bid, but we’ll support a primary challenger against you. Obama’s support for Lincoln did not merely help; it was arguably decisive, as The Washington Post documented today:"

<much more>

http://www.salon.com/2010/06/10/lincoln_6/





You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their rhetoric, promises, or excuses.
[font size=5 color=green]Solidarity99![/font][font size=2 color=green]
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Here is how I see it. Harry has never, ever, seen a fight russspeakeasy Jan 2013 #1
You know the Senate doesn't involve actual physical confrontations, right? Recursion Jan 2013 #2
If only it would involve legislative confrontations by Democrats! villager Jan 2013 #6
Like what? Recursion Jan 2013 #7
Harry is a self proclaimed Dem and has a job to do. russspeakeasy Jan 2013 #8
He's doing his job. Particularly the important part of counting votes. Recursion Jan 2013 #9
are u suggesting that there is no amount of arm twisting that the dems can do to gain votes leftyohiolib Jan 2013 #22
Just like LBJ used to do it. kentuck Jan 2013 #23
LBJ had moderate Republicans to replace his conservative Democrats Recursion Jan 2013 #34
C-Span rating would go through the roof Angry Dragon Jan 2013 #10
I would certainly pay to watch (nt) Recursion Jan 2013 #11
LOL! Segami Jan 2013 #17
Perhaps you have forgotten the 6 years of "keeping our powder dry"? Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #31
'The same rights' earthside Jan 2013 #3
+4,390 Angry Dragon Jan 2013 #12
Agree With This--The Rethugs will use the nuclear option to change the rules kairos12 Jan 2013 #13
adamaree adamaree Jan 2013 #25
From what I read, the deal does eliminate the filibuster on 'motion to proceed' sinkingfeeling Jan 2013 #4
Same shit, different Congress. Obama gets a 4 yr vacation n/t leftstreet Jan 2013 #5
I missed the news. When did the Democrats capture the House? onenote Jan 2013 #48
All of which Reid would know, so this whole "filibuster reform" run was just a temperature check? nt patrice Jan 2013 #53
They don't even respect you enough to tell you which Democrats were for it and which against... kentuck Jan 2013 #14
adamaree adamaree Jan 2013 #30
Complicity won the day. Marr Jan 2013 #15
This is the correct answer, woo me with science Jan 2013 #18
Yep-- Rockefeller is a perfect example. Marr Jan 2013 #20
Excellent description of how to play Third Way chess and prosper jsr Jan 2013 #36
Too much money and corporate influence octoberlib Jan 2013 #43
You got it. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #32
The filibuster reform failed because conservative Democrats don't like the leadership's agenda Recursion Jan 2013 #51
A unified minority is working very effectively for the republicans.... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #52
I wasn't kidding; if you'd rather have that, just do what the Republicans did and nominate... Recursion Jan 2013 #55
Nor was I kidding. Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #57
So, "just" women's bodily autonomy and LGBTQ issues? Recursion Jan 2013 #58
I was trying to make the point that the Democratic party has become too moderate... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #60
I think the Democratic party is as far left as it can be and win elections in a lot of districts Recursion Jan 2013 #61
But there are meat and potato issues Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #63
Maybe on the wedge shit but on economics and war they are stuck in neoliberal lala land TheKentuckian Jan 2013 #65
This message was self-deleted by its author Marr Jan 2013 #54
... woo me with science Jan 2013 #16
Democrats are their own worse enemies. avebury Jan 2013 #19
adamaree adamaree Jan 2013 #27
I don't think Reid had the votes but he should have tried anyway tularetom Jan 2013 #21
I think he should have offered to box Dems for their votes bigtree Jan 2013 #24
He was a very good boxer back in the day. But he's all about keeping the owners happy now. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jan 2013 #33
They're afraid the rethugs might use those rules to ram through bad laws meow2u3 Jan 2013 #26
repubs will do that anyway. unlike many dems, repubs at least honor their own beliefs nt msongs Jan 2013 #28
if they get the Senate majority, filibuster reform will be the first thing they do 0rganism Jan 2013 #42
I'm bookmarking this thread. Why? Because most assuredly, there are DU members quick to blame Obama Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #29
Of course, we'll probably never know ... earthside Jan 2013 #35
We make too many assumptions here on DU. We have absolutely no clue what goes on behind Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #38
They are all in this together. earthside Jan 2013 #40
True. I certainly agree with that. But we also have to be realistic and not let the Democrats Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #46
And our NOT knowing IS PRECISELY THE PROBLEM! It is NOT a Democracy when that happens! cascadiance Jan 2013 #44
You make a valid point. I often think Democrats refuse to stand up so that they can later Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #45
Is it *really* all that hard to guess? Recursion Jan 2013 #59
You support the Weak President Theory for Inaction? bvar22 Jan 2013 #62
Sen. Reid is a weak, pathetic little weasel. He has squandered our President's 2nd term. nt EastKYLiberal Jan 2013 #37
I'll ask again: what legislation isn't reaching the President's desk that would have done so onenote Jan 2013 #49
the day the republicans take the majority in the Senate... 0rganism Jan 2013 #39
We need to replace Harry. The man is pathetic. Vinca Jan 2013 #41
Right! And his replacement will have magical powers of hypnosis to change Senators' votes! Recursion Jan 2013 #50
And how do "we" do that? onenote Jan 2013 #56
Then the majority of the Democratic caucus isn't representing the majority of Democrats. Vinca Jan 2013 #69
I have a feeling Reid couldn't get enough of our 'brave' senators to vote for tougher rules. dmosh42 Jan 2013 #47
Welcome to corporate term #2, woo me with science Jan 2013 #64
I think what I heard were proposed changes, not actual ones fadedrose Jan 2013 #66
Kick woo me with science Jan 2013 #67
Handed the other team the ball again libtodeath Jan 2013 #68
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