Senate Republicans filibuster student loan bill

[gratuitous]

8. But WILL they pin this on the Republicans?

That's the question, as always. When student loan rates double, will the Democrats be able to explain in clear, simple, no-nonsense terms that it was Republican obstructionism that's costing people money? Magic 8 Ball says "Signs Point to No". Or, will the Democrats, in a tizzy over the prospect of having this bad policy hung around their necks, sell out another constituency so as to "pay for" a continuation of the current rates? The record from the last few years doesn't exactly inspire me with hope.

I think that Democrats should be out front, hollering incessantly about the Republicans, pointing out that Republicans don't require that billions in tax cuts for their fatcat bankrollers don't have to be paid for, but insist that lower loan rates must be paid for. Point out that they're in favor of continuing lower student loan rates, and Republicans want those rates to rise. Say it today, say it tomorrow, say it next week, and the week after that. Show leadership and message discipline, such that even one or two of the talking chuckleheads feels obliged to ask the endless parade of Republican guests about their party's stingy ways.

It can be done, but Democrats for whatever reason are reluctant to play partisan politics against Republican partisanship. And as long as they don't do that, the Republicans get something they want and don't pay a political price.