Never let 'em see you sweat, Harry.
Bet he can't *wait* for Spring 2008, and the Great Netroot Betrayal.
By Moe Lane Posted in Congress — Comments (13) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
There are times when you don't really need, strictly speaking, to read past the first paragraph. Here's one of them:
Reid: Frustrated Dems will keep pushing for end to Iraq war
From Dana Bash
CNN Washington BureauWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrats are disappointed they have been unable to force President Bush to change course in Iraq, but they will keep pushing -- with or without Republican help, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Thursday.
(Via Glenn)
Oops: it looks like I put Sen. Reid's title in boldface. How dreadfully embarrassing.
Read on.
Dana Bash has certainly put the best face on the issue when writing up this "There, there, Harry" piece - but there are limits to how well you can excuse away our particular version of Kabuki theater, and the last few days have demonstrated them. Let's review, shall we?
The Webb amendment (
sneaky way to withdraw forces from Iraqtroop rotation changes). Died, 56-44. As this rather annoyed Kossack notes, the number 60 needed for passage reflects the unanimous consent of the Senate. Let me put this another way: they agreed prior to the actual vote how things were going to go. Let me put this even more simply: the Democrats didn't want to win this vote.The Boxer amendment (equating political ads attacking candidates during a political campaign with political ads attacking military personnel for following the direct orders of the civilian leadership in time of war): Died, 51-46. Yeah. I somehow missed that this vote was actually another 60 Special, too. Funny how that wasn't brought up more.
Cornyn resolution (admitting that MoveOn.org's a bunch of suckweasels): Passed, 72-25. Clinton voted against it; Obama had... somewhere else to be. Smooth move, Barack. Nice to see that you've figured out how to be a typical Senator; I'm sure that it'll serve you well for the next twenty years or so.
Reid/Feingold (cut n' run by June): Died, 70-28. Mostly there to give the Senators running for President something to point to wrt the base. Hey, it's as good a reason as anything else.
The Levin bill (cut n' run within 9 months). Just died, 47-47, six nonvoting. Couldn't even get a majority. 13 shy, forsooth.
Oh, and let's not forget the detainee bill Wednesday (believe me, the Democrats want you to): Died, 56-43.
(pause)
They had a busy week, huh?
The reason why I'm reviewing all of this is really, really simple: I feel the need to make an (almost certainly to be ignored, thankfully) observation to the netroots who are currently slow burning over all of this. Here's the skinny, kids: you've been spending the last (counting) 10 months and change proclaiming to the universe how the 2006 elections demonstrate that you're not only correct about Iraq policy, but that the people are behind you on it, too. Interestingly, while your professional politicians are loudly agreeing with you, they are also doing their level best behind the scenes to arrange matters so that they - and you - are officially stymied at every turn. Some of you have finally noticed this, and are now loudly, profanely and vehemently demanding that matters change more to your liking.
You may want to consider instead that their collective reluctance to obey your will in this matter might stem from a well-founded fear of the consequences of doing so.
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Never let 'em see you sweat, Harry. 13 Comments (0 topical, 13 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
He's played the hand that he was dealt brilliantly.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
When it comes to "good reasons for cloture requirements", the fact that 41 Senators in the right combination represent more people than 59 Senators is a good reason. The Senate was not ever supposed to be that Democratic anyways. As well, I doubt a majority of people, much less 3/5ths, would support the extremist Dem ideas in the Senate.
You don't win wars by blindly basing your policy off of public opinion polls.
So yes, I wouldn't totally say that the far-left is getting played hard on Iraq. You have to consider that they're only getting the same treatment as other groups that Dems take for granted. Notice how there's not one front page diary on the recent votes on the dKos home page? Notice how they're able to give out upper-class fellowships? They're not printing money, they're funded by the far-left Democrats and they know what to do and not do to get more money.
It's like watching a great chess player against a dog
Comparing Man's Best Friend to Dingy Harry is oh so not cool!
Are you a cat lover?
"Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?" (Macaulay)
They all know darn well that (and Hillary has hinted at this) they're not going to abandon Iraq. The nutroots will REALLY lose it then.
www.scottbomb.com
Click here to donate to the Fred Thompson campaign.
Twisted you are, for taking such delight in the misery of others who really deserve it. No wonder that I like you :)
___________________________________
Two thirds of the world is covered by water,
the other third is covered by Champ Bailey.
To see so many Republicans standing up straight. Somebody must have had a group special on spine transplants.
I wonder how the AMNESTY thing goes, that will be the next test. Did they learn their AMNESTY lesson or not?
Then there is socialist SChip for all.
The Republicans have a full plate, you have to wonder when they cave like old.
Or -- Are we witnessing the end game of the Democrats dying media parrot? Last vestiges of power seeping from it's failing veins, not able to control and dictate the agenda any longer, the media parrot is near death. Murdock and the WSJ is coming on strong within months, so maybe the parrots see the light, Pull up, pull up, pull up -- Too late it really is a train. Dan Rather is a laughable idiot and the rest are slowly sinking into the primeval ooze.
Preview here
Hooray for the Internet, the savior of mankind.
For all their faults as a majority party, one thing that could be said is that Republicans are an unusually good, unified, minority. Maybe it was the years of practice, but we've always been good at standing in the way of bad Democrat policy.
I think the spines will stick it out. The real test will come when we return to the majority.
of replacing conservatives like Pelosi with progressives like Sheehan.
All these anti societal, socialist, anti war, corn flakes conspiracy believers (oh yes, they really exist), 9-11 truthers and 1960’s retreads should just go away…”Don’t go away mad, just go away”. That would suit everyone just fine; including Dem’s who just want them to leave their wallets on the counter. Hey, no hard feelings now, we gave it the old college try boys! It’s those evil Republican’s, they just don’t believe in free love, surrender, socialism, baby murder and that a decent minimum wage is a legislative priority. I mean, sheesh, what do you want us to do Hsu them for 60 votes?
My guess is Democrats are finally seeing that only their “bankers” agree with them. Therefore, the antipodean point of view should at least be a fuzzy image in the minds of some voters. If your fooled by all this you must be hitting the bong too hard and watching Cheech and Chong too often.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
I haven't heard the libtards talking much about a Lame Duck President lately. Definitely a lame duck, do nothing Congress.
Bipartisanship anyone? How about 11% Congressional approval rating?
Even impeach BushHitler, impeach Cheney, impeach Rove. Where are you do nothing libtards? Political flatulence. Even your Global Warming myth is evaporating. How could anyone believe AlGore had one ounce of science in him. All Hot Air. Proven Science according to chief scientist Fat Al and Chief NASA political hack. Debate is not necessary, it is proven. That is what you call science?
No ideas other than cut and run when the MSM pushes failure on the idiots that listen to their continuing Dan Rather agenda.
May your Hsu fit, and fit tightly.
...listen very closely, you can hear a champagne glass shattering against the office wall of MoveOn.org's George Soros.
:neener neener:
a lot of the credit belongs to the Republican leadership and other Republican Senators, who are true profiles in courage, standing against the extremist Democrat plans for Iraq and the War on Terror.
It's a credit to the hard work of our Grand Ol' Patriots in the Senate that Harry Reid has been constantly foiled.
41 beats 59. The good guys win, because they're the ones with the power. They recognize that if they let the Democrats have their way on Iraq, America's Republic will soon face a direct Terrorist offensive in our biggest cities. You cannot embolden terrorists without consequences.
Give Mitch and others some credit, they're the Wolverines fighting against an advancing force of Democrat dimblubs and Democrat traitors.