Are the Democrats going to make the Repubs pull a "real" filibuster?

[kentuck]

They will keep them there thru Christmas and thru midnight of December 31st, if necessary, to get the vote for the middle class taxcuts? Is that what they are about to do? Would you support such a strategy against the Repub filibuster?

[Bettie]

1. They should make them stand on the floor and talk

Really, this whole thing about a threat of a filibuster being enough to derail anything is just ridiculous!

Make them talk and then stand out front with graphics and talking points about what could be done if the Repubs would just stop having their little tantrum!

Make it a media event and make them keep talking, the more they talk, the worse they sound.

[HERVEPA]

2. Of course not. It would be inconvenient and might upset the rethuglicans

[Rosa Luxemburg]

14. and they won't be allowed to go to the bathroom!

[budkin]

3. No because they don't feel like sticking around

[ellie]

4. I hope so

but I am not holding my breath.

[polichick]

5. No. nt

[ladjf]

6. Nah. That would require some brains and guts. nt

[jwirr]

7. I hope so.

[liberalpragmatist]

8. For the millionth time, there is no such thing as a "real" filibuster

There is no provision that would force the Republicans to keep reading the phonebook.

And the Republicans could just run down the clock until the new Congress.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/23/the-myth-of-the-filibuste_n_169117.html

[AtomicKitten]

9. True. Historically it's been political theater to punctuate a point. nt

[joe1991]

10. go reread the article you posted

yes there has to be a republican on the house floor!

No he does not have to talk, he can keep asking for roll call, but the CSPAN cameras would still be focused on a repub blocking tax cuts for the vast majority of Americans.

GDmit Harry Reed et al; grow a frigging spine!!!!!

[Uzybone]

13. and we all know how many people watch CSPAN

lol....

[Imajika]

11. Amazing that people STILL don't understand this...

It's like an urban legend or ancient wives' tale that just won't die.

There is absolutely nothing the Democrats can do to force Republicans to talk endlessly. All the GOP needs to maintain a filibuster is 1 Senator to guard the floor and "occasionally note the absence of a quorum".

[lyonn]

12. Since we control the Senate and will until the next election

they, the Dems in the Senate, should have all kinds of emergency votes, like for the safety of the country type reasoning. The repubs insist on 60 votes to pass anything therefore, some repubs would have to stick around to "block". Remember how Congress was called back to Washington during the Terri Schivo (sp?) emergency? How patriotic is it to spend xmas in D.C.? It could end up being the gift that keeps on giving......

[Imajika]

16. Yeah, it's more problematic than that...

The majority actually needs to get business done. In the House, the majority can run roughshod over the minority and run a tight ship. In the Senate, the minority can gum up the works endlessly and wear down the majority.

If the Democrats want to force Republicans to hang around, then the Democrats will have to hang around too. If you have to be in the minority in either chamber, you'd want it to be in the Senate where just 41% can stymie 59%.

[treestar]

15. I know, how many times must the same thing be repeated!

What it all boils down to, is people "frustrated" by our system of government and its rules. If only it was as Bush wanted it to be and the President was a dictator. Then if we can get a Democrat into the office, we get it all!