And soon, the scene famously portrayed in “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” will be prevented for at least two years. If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s a classic and you should see it. In fact, stop reading this and go find yourself a copy of the movie. With 60 seats filled by Dems in the Senate comes the gift of a filibuster-proof Senate. Well, at least at least the Republicans won’t be able to pull of a filibuster. By the way, I really love the word filibuster. It just has a nice sound to it: filibuster.
With Arlen Specter making the party swap, and the race coming to a close in Minnesota, 60th seat is not out of reach. However, I don’t buy his reasoning that of his philosophy matches up more with the Dems than the Republicans, especially after he stated just a couple weeks ago that he wouldn’t abandon the GOP. Never say never, right? I really think his move to the other side of the aisle has more to do with attempt to keep his seat in the next election more than anything else.
Also, I know having the Senate filibuster-proof sounds like a great thing, in that bills can pass through pretty quickly without any party-pissy parties taking place. Then again, I don’t like it when either party throws their little pissy parties in the first place… yes, “pissy party” is a technical term…. because I said so. The downside of filibuster-proofing the Senate (you bet that I’m trying to use the word, “filibuster” as much as possible) is that it removes the check and balance from our Federal Government. Not every piece of legislation is a good idea. I really hope that through the course of the next year and a half, before the next elections that include one-third of the Senate, the Democrats will have to refrain from making any really stupid moves. If they do, they’ll lose their majority in the Senate very quickly. Americans aren’t that patient.
Oh… filibuster, filibuster, filibuster, filibuster, filibuster and last but not least…. filibuster!
Filed under: political morsel | Tagged: Arlen Specter, filibuster, Senate
This is so bizzare! I smell a rat, but then the repubs are very close to losing their grip if they continue on their negative, wanting the nation to fail program…..he’s jumping ship…who will be next?
I don’t trust Specter. Here’s what he said in March 2009:
“To eliminate any doubt, I am a Republican, and I am running for reelection in 2010 as a Republican on the Republican ticket,” Specter said in a statement released by his campaign manager.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090319_Specter_staying_on_Republican_ticket.html
filibuster is cool. It’s right up there with vestibule.
Yes yes yes!!
Chris- wouldn’t you just die if McCain were the next? Omg that would be too funny!!!
Mari- That’s why I didn’t buy into his pitch. He’s as genuine as my boss… which isn’t saying much.
RK- I hope that was in response to Mr. RK being in the same room with you…. or not.
It’s too bad there isn’t a blood test for political leanings…
I don’t care what the reason is he jumped ship or that he won’t be one hundred percent on every vote,
neither are the blue dog Democrats.
He will be there for the important votes or he will be gone and he knows that.
There are several others wavering right now and if the Republicans continue to treat them like the poor step children we could see a few more cross the aisle.
Right now we need all the help we can get..
I think the 18 House Republicans that voted for the Hate Crimes legislation should be worth watching. The Right Wing of the party is going to try and crucify them. We might gain a few of them.
Course they were almost evenly countered by the 17 Dems who voted against it.
Can’t wait to see how it goes in the Senate.
He does have a cool name though, I mean, really “Arlen Specter” is almost as cool as filibuster….it almost even rhymes. I think there is an opportunity for some really great lyrics here.
I agree that he just did it in a hope to hold his seat but it’s still a really big FU to the GOP that is really apropos right now!
Specter would screw his own mother if it got him something. I say let the Republicans have him back-I doubt we want him. Besides he only votes as he wants to vote-he’s loyal to no one.
Also, the idea of “60″ with him is as funny as without him. Who is going to remind the Montanna Senators that they are Democrats? Or Mary Landrieu? Or Nebraska’s Nelson? Or South Dakota? Please. We need him like we need a hole in the head!